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Research is being carried out into the performance of surveyors undertaking a Homebuyer Report. The background to that research was published in Hollis, M. and Bright, K. (1999), Structural Survey, Vol. 17 No. 2. This paper is a sub‐set of that work and deals with the public perception of survey standards relating to dampness, the duties of the surveyor, and the knowledge requirement for a surveyor working in 1999. It looks at the observation and the reporting of dampness within a sample of ten survey reports completed within a period of two weeks on the same house. The research concludes that there is an unexpectedly high level of reporting that falls below an acceptable standard. Recommendations are made for the improvement of standards, an assessment of the skills required and the requirements for the education process for surveyors.

Research is being carried out into the performance of surveyors undertaking a Homebuyer Report. The background to that research was published in Hollis and Bright (1999) and in Hollis (1999). This paper is a further sub‐set of that work and deals with the analysis of the methodology of inspection based upon the observed inspections of parts of two buildings. It looks at the observation process of inspection undertaken by a sample of six surveyors. This showed that parts of the exposed interior of the building were not being looked at. The time for the examination of a room was created by tests to set a model against which the inspections could be measured. The conclusion is that the inspection may be only 10 per cent of that anticipated. The method of standard reporting is considered, and the absence of linkage between evidence collected for reporting in various compartments noted. The conclusions in this interim stage in the research suggest that there should be a better documented catalogue of inspection process and that there should be a greater emphasis placed upon the contemplation of the implication of the evidence. The conclusions are based upon a very small sample, and this means that the results may not be conclusive.

The words ‘Building Society’ are synonymous with safety, security and freedom from risk, operating with a smooth, simple and almost magical efficiency. The Building Society movement has careered through the 1960s and 1970s and enjoyed remarkable growth, success and a virtual monopoly of the housing finance scene. However, it is clear that the 1980s will provide a fundamental and real test to Building Societies in terms of consumer satisfaction and competition from other sources — with particular emphasis on the lending side of operations.

Summarizes a number of recurring issues which have arisen during a recent series of structural surveys of public houses undertaken by the authors. Provides a background to the ownership structure of public houses and explains how the ownership has traditionally resulted in a low level of investment in the maintenance of public house properties. Explores the several structural problems which appear to be inherent in public house properties and suggests full site and soil investigation should be undertaken before expenditure on repair and refurbishment.

A purchaser of a residential property has several options in satisfying himself or herself that the dwelling in question is or is not in satisfactory condition and/or is or is not worth the price being paid.

Outlines the main points of a paper presented at the RIBA/EEO Conference held on 24 January 1990 which focused on the increasing use of energy in modern offices. Tries to determine how much energy offices should use. Results of a questionnaire survey indicate that the range of energy consumption and costs is extremely wide. Examines a series of case studies of energy use in modern offices, analyses these and provides some recommendations to ensure that environmental and energy issues are reflected in buildings of the future.

Investigates the claim that the Nisses Millbank office development in London is one of the first to be designed specifically with occupant health in mind, on the basis that the air conditioning is not a traditional ducted system with air delivered from the ceiling but an underfloor system with an accessible plenum for maintenance.

The Equal Pay Act 1970 (which came into operation on 29 December 1975) provides for an “equality clause” to be written into all contracts of employment. S.1(2) (a) of the 1970 Act (which has been amended by the Sex Discrimination Act 1975) provides: