Professional Negligence: Claims Against Surveyors

Robert Johnson and the Professional Negligence team at Healys act for a variety of clients against a wide range of professionals in numerous types of claims.

This article summarises types of claims we have pursued against accountants and financial advisers. Similar articles for other professional groups are available on our website, with more to be published in the coming weeks.

Rising Damp

The clients instructed a surveyor to produce a report on a lakeside property which they wished to purchase. The report failed to adequately, or at all, identify various issues adversely affecting the property, in particular (1) damp problems; (2) structural defects, and (3) health risks. In reliance on the report (which highlighted no necessary structural or remedial works) the clients purchased the property only later to discover the issues. Had the clients been aware of the issues, particularly given they were first time buyers, they would not have purchased the property.  We recovered compensation for the clients.

Incorrect Valuation

Claim against a surveyors firm arising out of the valuation report prepared by them in respect of our individual client's (and her former husband's) commercial property which was held in their respective Self Invested Personal Pensions ("SIPP"). The purpose of the report was to equalise shares in the SIPPs. The surveyor failed to measure/correctly measure the property which resulted in an incorrect (over) valuation and our individual client's SIPP paying more funds to her former husband's SIPP than what should have been the case.  We recovered compensation for the client.

Wrong Survey Report

Claim against a surveyors in respect of their failure to (1) provide clients with the correct type of survey that our clients had requested/paid for regarding a property purchase and (2) identify in any report certain defects in the property. The clients paid for a Homebuyers Report but received prior to exchange (erroneously) a Mortgage Valuation Report with an inaccurate valuation. They relied upon this report for exchange and believed it was the report they had paid for. It was only after exchange that they received the correct report. Had they received the Homebuyers Report timeously they would not have exchanged contracts.  We recovered compensation for the clients.

If you would like legal advice on this area of Professional Negligence or further information on any of the above, please contact Robert below.

Healys Professional Negligence Services

Healys professional negligence team have acted for clients against a range of professionals including solicitors, barristers, architects, surveyors, financial advisors and accountants, and have an outstanding reputation for gaining the best possible outcome. They are accredited and recommended by leading legal review bodies, including Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

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