Do I need a surveyor for every disrepair claim?

No. Expert evidence should be restricted to what is necessary. Some cases can be resolved from agreed conditions, landlord records or other evidence.

What does a disrepair surveyor report cover?

A properly instructed expert may address the defects, cause, structural issues, required works, urgency and estimated repair cost within their expertise.

Who pays for the surveyor?

Under the Protocol, parties commonly share a single joint expert's fee equally, while each party pays its own separately instructed expert, subject to later cost decisions and funding terms.

Housing Disrepair Surveyor Inspections Explained

Why is a surveyor instructed?

A housing expert can distinguish symptoms from causes, identify urgent work and prepare a schedule of repairs. The court controls expert evidence, so instructions should match the real dispute and stay within the expert's competence.

What happens at the inspection?

The surveyor normally reviews each reported room, photographs defects, takes measurements where appropriate and asks about history. Clear access to affected walls, windows, services and belongings helps. Do not conceal recent repairs or cleaning.

What is a single joint expert?

A single joint expert is instructed by both parties and provides the same report to both. If agreement is impossible, parties may arrange a joint inspection by separate experts. The Protocol expects proportionality and cooperation.

What are the Protocol timescales?

The property should normally be inspected within 20 working days of the landlord's response to the Letter of Claim. A single joint report should normally be sent within 10 working days after inspection. Urgent evidence may justify earlier instruction.

How should I prepare?

List defects by room and date.
Provide repair references and prior reports.
Make affected areas safely accessible.
Identify completed or planned works.
Arrange an adult representative if you cannot attend.

Can I challenge the report?

Relevant written questions may be put to a joint expert under the procedure. Disagreement alone does not justify commissioning multiple reports. A solicitor can assess factual errors, scope gaps and whether further evidence is proportionate.

Will the surveyor value compensation?

A building expert generally addresses housing conditions and works, not every legal or medical issue. Compensation involves legal assessment, while injury causation may require medical expertise. See the medical evidence guide.

This article provides general legal information only. It does not constitute legal advice on any specific case. Awaab's Law Claims Specialists is a trading name of Driscoll Kingston & Co Limited, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No. 839699).