When it’s time to sell, most people think of new paint and cabinet handles. But here’s what happens when a surveyor comes to investigate: a checklist of safety measures comes out, and if there are none, people will downgrade the offer before a seller even has the chance to explain why, assuming they’re just being cheap.
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This is because safety upgrades do not equate to being up to code but rather, they reflect to buyers that the homeowner/developer has respected the property. In a day and age where people frequently fret about hidden costs, having safety measures in place can mean the difference between a quick sale and back-and-forth haggling for months.
Which Alarms Are Actually Checked in Safety Surveys?
Every survey assesses safety devices. Smoke alarms are the most obvious. Most people have at least one somewhere in the house. But the one that gets people is carbon monoxide detection, especially if there are gas appliances.
Too many homes have CO alarms—or none at all—and far too many have expired ones. A buyer sees this in their survey and starts to question what else hasn’t been up to par with development and maintenance. It’s not always the best assessment, but it impacts their offer.
If there’s a gas boiler, gas fire, or even just a gas hob in their property, they need to have appropriate CO protection. Buyers are aware that this is now a requirement and not optional. They know that regulations have changed for the better. A quality device such as FireAngel Carbon Monoxide Alarms will be one less thing assessed by a surveyor—and one less thing to reduce sale price.
The same goes for placement. A surveyor will note if things are haphazardly placed and rarely in right locations for optimal use. CO alarms go in rooms with fuel-burning appliances. Smoke alarms need to adequately cover floors and sleeping spaces. If someone has their stuff together for safety instead of randomly putting something up night before a showing, it makes a difference.
Why Paperwork Makes More of an Impact Than Anticipated
Where sellers go wrong is documenting things. A home can have every alarm imaginable throughout, yet if there’s no indication of install or extension within their means, buyers get snooty.
This goes for keeping receipts. This goes for keeping instruction manuals. This goes for having a simple folder with documentation of install dates or any testing along the way. When buyers’ solicitors come asking for safety compliance—and they will—a buyer wants something tangible instead of vague requests for reassurance.
According to estate agents, this greatly improves the speed at which a property can get through the process. No one needs to get back to anyone regarding when something was last checked or if the alarm still works—it’s already on the paperwork in black and white.
The Electrical Certificate Buyers Actually Want
Since 2020 landlords must provide an Electrical Installation Condition Report when renting properties. Homeowners buying their own homes do not need them, but here’s what happens: they ask for them anyway.
An EICR costs £150-300 depending on the size of the property, it’s valid for five years and if someone had work done recently, there’s no point in waiting to get it secured before listing—it can secure prospective sales in the meantime because buyers see this as a precaution they don’t want to have turn into their problem down the line.
To include an EICR certifies that consumer unit (fuse box) has been checked, earthing/bonding has been tested, and any dangerous circuits have been accounted for. The last thing anyone wants is someone using dangerous findings as leverage against them. It’s not something most people think about, but a buyer’s surveyor will suggest having it checked if there isn’t one from recently available—which only adds weeks onto an already drawn out process.
Which Changes In Safety Will Actually Impact Peace of Mind
Fire doors (yes, plural) in an older property is something surveyors comment on more than they used to. If there is a door between the kitchen and hallway or between floors, purchasers want to ensure that it actually stops a fire from spreading instead of just being some nice looking door.
Not every door needs replacing but if they’ve put fire doors up (common in renovated period properties), they need proper seals and closers that actually work. A fire door that’s propped open or has peeling seals isn’t worth anything—and surveyors will note this lack of safety compliance.
Most common now is carbon monoxide/smoke alarm interconnection—when one alarm goes off, they all go off throughout the house. It’s not mandated to most homes but it’s the kind of feature that suggests proper upgrades rather than casual maintenance.
What Not To Bother Upgrading
There are ways to upgrade safety that don’t change prospective buyers’ minds. Home security systems are the main one; unless it’s a high value property in a high security risk neighbourhood, buyers would prefer to have their say on whether they even want a system or not. It makes sellers feel like they’re imposing some sort of passive aggressive attitude on them in an area where crime may be more notable—but that’s the only area it should be noted, not within the home itself.
The same goes for overly complicated smart security features; buyers often see them as complications they’ll have to learn how to use or troubleshoot—even if it’s an excellent system—or get frustrated as non-tech savvy individuals who’ve never had to deal with safety measures before without smart capabilities.
The Upgrades That Make The Most Sense Timing Wise
Safety upgrades make sense just before listing but there’s so much middle ground where it becomes too early or too late that’s relevant. Too early and batteries need changing or everything needs testing again before viewings; too late renders paperwork non-existent when buyers start coming out of the woodwork from day one.
About two months prior to listing is usually optimal time; it allows certificates to be produced, documentation to be filed away and ensures that everything gets done right for a change.
Proper updates will show if there’s any issue along the way and there’s time for sellers to familiarize themselves with what’s going on so they can report naturally during viewings instead of having to scramble where they put everything days before they’re set to sell.
The reality is buyers are more cautious than ever before; they’re looking for reasons not to buy and worse, they’re finding them easily when safety precautions are missing unless they’re done within reason and properly documented It doesn’t just meet code—but shows responsible ownership that goes beyond expectations in an already competitive market more than sellers realize.
