LARGE V HART AND ANOTHER

[2021] EWCA 24, Court of Appeal Civil Division, Jackson, Coulson and Andrews LJJ, 15 January 2021

Surveyor’s negligence – Duty in relation to recently rebuilt property – Measure of damages

The claimants brought a claim against the defendant surveyor in which they alleged that the defendant had been negligent in surveying and valuing a residential property situated in a hill-top location in Devon. The property had been completely re-built in the 18-month period prior to it being bought by the claimants. The survey carried out by the defendant was a homebuyer’s report at a cost of £600 (the sale price of the property was some £1.2 million). As soon as the claimants took possession of the property following completion, substantial defects in the property became apparent, including problems with damp and ingress of water.