WHEN buying a property, it’s easy to be impressed by shiny new kitchens and bathrooms - and fail to spot the leaky roof or broken boiler.

Research by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has revealed many buyers are setting themselves up for an average £5,750 in repair bills on their new home due to hidden problems such as rot and subsidence.

It’s really important to get independent, expert advice, said Mark Davis, a RICS surveyor and valuer and director of Trinity Rose in Basingstoke Road, Kings Worthy.

Mr Davis said: “A lot of the issues are to do with the roof, gutters and chimney stacks. A leaking roof or blocked gutters can lead to damp-related problems, including rot.”

It’s important to use a qualified surveyor. It may also be a good idea to go for someone local as they will be familiar with the area and typical property problems.

It is usually cheaper and quicker to deal directly with a surveyor rather than arrange through a mortgage lender or estate agent. A full building survey, can cost upto £1,000. But by shopping around on price comparison websites, such as www.localsurveyorsdirect.co.uk, you can cut the cost to £400-£500.

A full building survey is recommended for older properties and those in need of renovation. The briefer homebuyer report, at between £300 and £500, is most suitable for newer homes.

A survey will investigate cracked walls, subsidence, condition of services such as electrics, plumbing, boiler and identify other issues such as rising damp and rotting timbers.

The money spent on a survey could save thousands by providing a tool to negotiate a price reduction or by making purchasers think twice before buying.

That was the experience of business analyst Gary Bigden, 56, who commissioned a homebuyer’s report, costing £450, before buying a flat.

It revealed problems with damp and subsidence. “I pulled out. Their advice saved me thousands of pounds.”

However many buyers rely only on the mortgage provider’s valuation even though it doesn’t include a survey. They are carried out on the mortgage lender’s behalf to ensure the property is worth the agreed price.

A surveyor, on the other hand, acts in the buyer’s interest and will inspect the property from top to bottom and offer impartial advice.