Building and Property

Surveying experts offer free service

Expert Witness Free Property Advice signThe RICS is currently bringing to public attention the Chartered Surveyors Voluntary Service (CSVS) – a registered charity supported by the institute.

The service provides free property advice to people who would otherwise be unable to get professional assistance in the normal way. Chartered surveyors working for the CSVS give their advice on a voluntary basis. The free service is available to people living in private rented housing, council or housing association accommodation, or who own their own homes. Initial contact is with a Citizens Advice Bureau or other advice agency, who will appoint a CSVS surveyor.

Generally the service involves a home visit by the CSVS surveyor and a follow up report to the advice agency. While the service is not means tested the advice agency will decide who should be referred for this free advice.

The CSVS will also take on cases involving groups of clients. For example, a number of tenants on the same estate – even though some tenants many not individually qualify for help.

Chartered surveyors are trained to deal with all practical aspects of the property and construction and some typical problems the service providers can advise on are:

• Repairs, service charges, leases - your rights and the landlord's responsibility in rented housing

• Building disputes: advising on the quality of work, possible defects, payment disputes

• Rents: advising on appeals for fair rent claims

• Grants: advising on the work required to obtain housing improvements, conservation and repair grants

• Planning: when permission is needed and how to handle disputes

• Compulsory purchase: the individual's rights and how to appeal

• Council tax disputes

• Environmental and conservation matters

• Rural problems, boundary and similar disputes

Generally, the CSVS cannot advise on:

• Finding somewhere to live

• Building surveys and valuation for home purchases

• Business or commercial matters

• Any other query where it is considered more appropriate for the client to pay for professional advice.

Information can be found on the RICS website, at www.rics.org.