A Condition Evaluation provides security during a housing transaction.

Contents of the Housing Trade Condition Evaluation

What will happen during the site visit?

• A Raksystems Housing Trade Condition Evaluation is performed using sensory, superficial, non-destructive methods. The condition inspector will study all visible surfaces in all premises to which there is access, as well as inspect the exterior faces, roof and sides of the building. During the sensory inspection, the inspector will assess whether there may be any defects or deficiencies that cannot be detected by means of sensory observations.
• If there is reason to suspect the condition of a structural element but the element cannot be fully surveyed by utilising the Housing Trade Condition Evaluation methods, the inspector will recommend further surveys. A separate agreement will always be made for any further surveys not included in the scope of the Housing Trade Condition Evaluation. The client must make sure that the necessary further surveys are performed.
• Heating, water, ventilation and electricity system elements as well as building automation systems will be evaluated by the structural engineering expert, but only as comes to the visible parts of the systems, based on their age and based on any information furnished by the users of the property.

What if the condition inspector suspects damage?

• The inspection scope includes the drilling of a maximum of three holes. Such holes will be made in any structures where it is necessary to measure the humidity level. Alternatively, up to three structural elements may be opened with a hole cutter. If the suspected structural element cannot be surveyed by using non-destructive methods, the inspector will recommend further surveys. A separate agreement for any further will always be made.

Progress of the Housing Trade Condition Evaluation

How long will the site visit take?

• Depending on the site, the site visit will take approximately 2–6 hours. The inspector will conduct a preliminary interview at the beginning of the site visit to acquire initial data to be used in the evaluation.

What will happen after the site visit?

• At the end of the site visit, the inspector will explain their most important observations to the participants. A report in writing will always be drawn up for the Housing Trade Condition Evaluation. The report will include any significant damage, risks, defects and repair needs detected, as well as proposed actions in order to study or repair the detected faults and defects. The report will include the significance and gravity of all observations made, as well as the necessary repairs or actions. Photographs taken at the site will be included in the report.

What are the characteristics of a good condition inspection?

• In a Raksystems Housing Trade Condition Evaluation, your home will be studied in compliance with our certified ISO 9001 quality management system and the condition inspection performance instructions commonly used in the industry (KH 90-00394). The performance instructions include more specific definitions of the objectives, content and scope of the inspection, the measurements to be taken during the site visit, reporting and liabilities of the condition inspector.
• The purpose of the Housing Trade Condition Evaluation is to offer objective information to the parties of a housing transaction regarding the structural engineering condition, repair needs, damage as well as health and safety hazards connected with the subject site as well as repair proposals connected with these issues.
• An order for a Housing Trade Condition Evaluation should be placed as early on as possible, preferably immediately after having placed the home on the market. The order can be placed by the seller, the buyer, the real estate agent or all of the parties together.
• An agreement in writing will always be made when placing an order.

When is a Housing Trade Condition Evaluation necessary?

• A Housing Trade Condition Evaluation should always be performed when selling your home, but it is also recommended at other times.
• Repairing any damage or defects detected by a structural engineering expert can produce major savings when compared to a situation where the damage or defect is left unnoticed.

Housing Trade Condition Evaluation’s uncertainties

• A Housing Trade Condition Evaluation does not free the seller or the buyer from their legal responsibilities based on the duty to disclose information and the duty to request information, nor does it change the liability for damage that cannot be detected in a Housing Trade Condition Evaluation.
• As a Housing Trade Condition Evaluation is mostly a superficial survey, the fact that a Housing Trade Condition Evaluation has been performed does not eliminate the possibility that the inspected site may contain hidden defects which cannot be detected with the methods used during a Housing Trade Condition Evaluation.
• Hidden damage inside structural elements cannot be detected, unless there is some visible damage on the surface of the structural element or damage that can be detected with a measuring device.
• In cases where sanitary premises have been unused for a long time, it is not possible to evaluate with a humidity detector any elements containing humidity damage inside the structures or waterproofing ability of the structures in normal use.

Downloadable materials

Housing Trade Condition Evaluation service description
Housing Trade Condition Evaluation preparation instructions