In the UK lending institutions insist on a basic structural survey before agreeing to grant a mortgage. Any self-respecting solicitor will advise a client to have a survey carried out prior to committing themselves to a purchase.
A structural survey has two important advantages.
Firstly it prevents you from purchasing a property that is structurally unsound, perhaps dangerous, expensive to restore, and difficult to dispose of. It should identify any woodworm, and any movement (which may have caused extensive damage to underground drainage channels, or undermined the stability of the property).
Secondly, a good report, even a basic report, often identifies non-structural defects that may provide you with ammunition to negotiate on the purchase price.
In France, however, banks including British banks, only require a valuation of the property, carried out by a valuer, not a surveyor. This is clearly sensible for a tumble down cottage requiring extensive renovation where you are essentially paying for the plot of land.
Equally, for an experienced builder with a portfolio of properties to renovate and sell on, taking a risk in not obtaining a structural survey is entirely rational.
In my opinion, for the individual purchaser who is investing a significant capital outlay (including much higher acquisition costs than in the UK), or taking on a mortgage, a decision to proceed without a survey is sheer folly. Why do it in France, where building standards are if anything lower than in the UK, when you would not do it at home?
For further information, including risk areas for flooding, termites, subsidence and how to tackle them, see "The Complete Guide to Buying Property in France: Buying, Renting, Letting and Selling", by Charles Davey and published by Kogan Page.
