ABSTRACT
Since the major revision of the RICS Residential Mortgage Valuation Specification in 2011, there has been no expectation that valuers will routinely undertake any inspection of the roof space as part of a mortgage valuation inspection, unless having specific instructions to do so from their lender client. However, when conducting a survey – at whichever level – an examination of the roof space and structure is necessary. At Survey Level One, the Practice Note specifies only a ‘head and shoulder’ inspection from the roof access hatch, but for Levels Two and Three, the requirement is to enter accessible roof spaces and carry out a visual inspection. As acknowledged in the first chapter of this book, individual surveyors vary in their preference for the timing of the roof space inspection within the sequence of their normal inspection routine. Each routine has its merits and there is no single right approach; but the wisdom of starting the inspection with a brief walk around the whole property to note the accommodation and form a preliminary view about overall condition has already been proposed. This preview should include scanning the ceilings of the uppermost accommodation to locate the roof access hatch and to see whether there are any obvious signs of damp penetration or structural problems associated with the roof.
