A Home Condition Report is an inspection of a property to ascertain its condition and energy performance. Only a licensed Home Inspector can carry out a home condition report which also includes the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).

Each element, such as the roof, walls, windows, floors etc, is given a rating from 1 to 3 where: 1 = No repair is required, 2 = A repair is required but is not considered serious or urgent, 3 = The defect is serious and an urgent repair is required.

A property is inspected internally and externally reporting any defects. Minor defects, which would be remedied under normal maintenance of the property, are not recorded.

A Home Condition Report (HCR) and Energy Performance Certificate can benefit the seller and buyer. A seller will know in advance of any problems that could be remedied to improve the chances of achieving the asking price. A buyer, on the other hand, will have a clear indication of the condition and efficiency of the property and ultimately guidance whether to make an offer, a reduced offer or to not enter into a transaction.

First time buyers will benefit the most because they will not have to pay for this report, but they will still have all the information they require with no risk of wasting money on abortive work should the transaction fall through.