Buying a property without having a survey isn't just wrong its expensive. I have undertaken hundreds of surveys over a period of 24 years and have yet to find a 'faultless' property. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors own research shows that 20% of people who did not request a survey had serious problems with their residences. A survey will highlight significant problems and may assist you in renegotiating the purchase price. A recent BBC news item.