Why Is a Survey Report Important?

The Value of a Property Survey

Buying a home is a significant financial decision. You review inspection reports and legal documents to protect your investment. A survey report is a critical document that many buyers overlook. This report is a detailed map of a property, created by a licensed surveyor. It shows property boundaries, dimensions, and the location of buildings, fences, and other major features. It also identifies any restrictions or rights of way that affect the land. Understanding why a survey report is important helps you avoid future problems.

This document provides a clear picture of what you are buying. It goes beyond the physical house to detail the land itself. A survey protects you from potential legal disputes with neighbours over property lines. It reveals hidden issues that a standard home inspection would not find. For these reasons, obtaining an up-to-date survey is one of the smartest steps you can take during a real estate transaction. It gives you confidence in your purchase and safeguards your property rights for years to come.

Defining Your Legal Property Boundaries

A primary function of a survey report is to establish the exact legal boundaries of your property. The report provides a professional, legally recognized map of your land. This map clearly shows where your property ends and your neighbour’s property begins. This information is invaluable. It prevents common disputes that arise from assumptions about property lines. Homeowners often disagree about the ownership of a fence, a large tree, or even a few feet of a driveway. A survey resolves these questions with factual evidence.

Without a survey, you are relying on guesswork or old markers that may be inaccurate. A neighbour could build a fence or a shed that accidentally crosses onto your land. This situation, known as an encroachment, can lead to difficult conversations and costly legal action. A survey report identifies the precise location of the boundary markers. This allows you to place new fences or structures with certainty. It also confirms that you are getting the exact amount of land described in the property’s legal description, ensuring you receive the full value of your purchase.

Learn how to estimate my property value Orangeville
Related Article: How Long Is a Property Survey Valid for in Ontario?
Related Article: What Is the Difference Between a Plot Plan and a Survey?

Verifying Property Structures and Additions

Your survey report provides a detailed layout of all permanent structures on the land. This includes the main house, garage, sheds, decks, and pools. The surveyor accurately measures and plots the location of each of these improvements. This visual confirmation is important for several reasons. It helps you verify that all structures are located within the property boundaries. A garage that sits partially on a neighbour’s land is a serious problem that a survey will uncover.

The report also helps ensure structures comply with local zoning by-laws. Most municipalities have setback rules that dictate how far a building must be from the property lines, roads, or environmentally sensitive areas. A survey shows if the home and its additions meet these requirements. If a previous owner built a deck without a permit or placed it too close to the property line, you could be responsible for rectifying the issue. The survey acts as a compliance check, protecting you from inheriting costly violations made by others.

Meeting Lender and Title Insurance Needs

A survey report is often a key document for third parties involved in your home purchase. Mortgage lenders, for instance, want to protect their investment in your property. They need assurance that the property is free of major boundary issues or other legal defects. Many lenders will request an up-to-date survey report as a condition of financing. They use it to confirm that the property they are funding matches its legal description and is a secure asset.

Title insurance companies also recognize the value of a survey. Title insurance protects you and your lender from losses related to your property’s title or ownership. When you provide a current survey, the title insurer gets a clearer picture of the property and its potential risks. Because of this, some insurers may offer a more comprehensive policy or even a discount on your premium if you have a recent survey. Providing this document can streamline the closing process and demonstrate that you have performed your due diligence as a buyer.

Assisting with Future Development Plans

The value of a survey report extends long after you move into your new home. It becomes an essential tool for any future projects you envision for your property. If you plan to build a new fence, add an extension to your house, or install a swimming pool, the survey is your starting point. It provides the precise measurements and boundary information that architects, designers, and contractors need to create accurate plans. This ensures your project is designed to fit your property perfectly.

Using a survey for planning also helps you follow local building regulations. It shows the location of easements and property lines, so you can avoid building on restricted areas. This simple step prevents costly mistakes, such as constructing an addition that violates setback requirements or a fence that encroaches on public land. Having a survey on hand saves you time and money. It gives you the foundation to improve your property with confidence, knowing your plans are based on accurate and reliable data.

Different Survey Documents

When you discuss surveys, you may hear about different types of plans. Knowing the most common ones helps you understand what you need for a residential property purchase. Each plan serves a distinct purpose, providing specific information about the land. For most homebuyers, one type is much more useful than the other. Asking your real estate agent or lawyer for the right document ensures you get the protection you need. The two main types you will likely encounter are the Surveyor’s Real Property Report and the Reference Plan.

• Surveyor’s Real Property Report (SRPR)

  This is the most comprehensive and useful survey for a homebuyer. An SRPR is a plan that shows the property boundaries and locates all physical improvements on the land, such as the house, garage, and fences. It also details any visible or registered easements and highlights any encroachments. The plan is accompanied by a written report from the surveyor, certifying the information is accurate. This is the document lenders and lawyers want to see.

• Reference Plan (R-Plan)

  A Reference Plan, or R-Plan, is a survey that is deposited in the local Land Registry Office. Its main purpose is to legally define a piece of land. It is often used to create new lots from a larger parcel or to describe the location of an easement. An R-Plan shows boundary lines and dimensions but typically does not show the location of buildings unless they are directly related to a boundary issue. While useful for legal descriptions, it does not provide the complete picture a homebuyer needs.

A Vital Investment in Your Property

A survey report is more than just a map. It is a fundamental document that protects your investment and your rights as a property owner. From defining exact boundaries to uncovering hidden issues like encroachments and easements, a survey provides essential clarity. It ensures the property you are buying is exactly what you believe it to be, free from unexpected limitations or disputes. The report confirms that buildings and additions comply with local regulations, saving you from inheriting expensive problems from a previous owner.

This document also satisfies the requirements of lenders and title insurers, making your transaction smoother. For the future, it serves as your guide for any renovations or landscaping projects, allowing you to plan with accuracy and confidence. While it represents an upfront cost, the price of a survey is small compared to the potential legal fees or the loss of property value from an unresolved issue. Think of it as an investment in certainty and peace of mind. Discussing the existing survey or ordering a new one should be a standard part of your home-buying checklist.