Every year, hundreds of thousands of homebuyers in the UK face the stress and financial burden of purchasing a property without full transparency. Buyers are often forced to pay hundreds of pounds for surveys after making an offer, only to discover costly structural issues that weren’t disclosed upfront.

Nearly 1 in 12 property sales fall through specifically because of problems identified in a building survey, from structural defects to damp and roof damage.

Ultimately, multiple buyers end up paying for identical surveys on the same property, wasting time and money in a competitive and incredibly frustrating market.

If nothing changes, this lack of transparency will continue to put buyers – especially first-timers – at risk of unexpected costs, failed purchases and emotional strain. Making surveys publicly available would create a fairer, more efficient system where buyers can make informed decisions from the get go. It would also increase trust and speed up the buying process for everyone involved.

Scotland already requires sellers to provide a Home Report, including a survey, before a property is listed on the market. It’s time for the rest of the UK to catch up. With the current housing market under pressure and affordability at an all-time low, buyers deserve better protection. 

This simple change would make a huge difference. Please sign this petition now to help build a fairer system for all of us.