Mortgage Valuation Report Quandary

[jsmac]

Hello PPUK folk,

The mortgage valuation report from the surveyor instructed by our lender was completed last week. In it there was the predictable requests for a 'specialist timber and damp survey' by a Property Care Association member, as well as a comprehensive survey of the roof by a specialist contractor.

We had intended to instruct a chartered surveyor with extensive qualifications and experience in working with period buildings to undertake a full structural survey but bafflingly, our lender and their surveyor will not accept his recommendations because he is not a member of the PCA. It strikes us a truly absurd situation but we're learning that it is by no means a rare occurrence.

So we're faced with either hoping to find a local PCA damp and timber contractor who will provide sound advice or a finding a qualified surveyor with the relevant experience with older buildings who can do a damp and timber survey AND who is also a member of the PCA. Clearly we would prefer the latter solution but are having trouble finding someone.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a surveyor in the south east of England? Or someone who will travel to the south east?

I would also welcome any other thoughts you might have on how we can tackle this latest hurdle with our lender.

Thanks.

 

[Me!]

The Property Care Association website says -
"What is the Property Care Association?
The Property Care Association (PCA) is the trade association representing specialists across the UK who can be trusted to resolve problems affecting buildings."

That one sentence alone shows that their members have a vested interest in finding something that needs fixing in your house. In your situation I would point out that fact to my mortgage company and insist for that very reason that I would not accept any report from anyone who is a member of that association. And if they won't change their viewpoint, well there are plenty of other mortgage companies out there.