Most of us would probably say that a property needs to be structurally sound, warm, dry and safe. We might also think about energy efficiency, the condition of the roof and whether there are any signs of damp.
Yet there is another question we perhaps don't ask often enough. How does living in that property actually make us feel?
This week on Property Matters, we will be joined by Jason Ratcliffe, better known as The Wellbeing Surveyor, for a conversation about his work, his personal story and why he believes we need to look beyond the bricks and mortar.
Jason has spent more than a decade working in surveying. His approach brings together building condition, indoor environmental quality and the experiences of the people who occupy those buildings.
His work covers damp, mould, ventilation, insulation and thermal comfort. He is also undertaking PhD research into property wellbeing, examining the relationship between buildings and the people who live in them.
So, why The Wellbeing Surveyor?
That is one of the first questions Gareth Wax and Hamish McLay will be putting to Jason.
We want to understand what inspired his different approach. Was there a particular experience that changed his thinking?
What did he discover about the relationship between our homes and our health? And what does a typical working day actually involve?
There is something interesting about the idea that a property can appear perfectly acceptable on paper while the people living inside it are experiencing problems.
A conventional survey might identify a leaking roof, defective insulation or evidence of damp. Yet what about poor ventilation, uncomfortable temperatures or indoor air quality?
How often do we consider the combined effect of these conditions on the people who call that property home?
And are we sometimes creating new problems while trying to solve old ones?
Take energy efficiency, for example. We are encouraged to improve insulation and reduce heat loss. Yet improvements need to be properly designed, with adequate ventilation and an understanding of how the building works.
Could a poorly planned improvement leave someone living in a warmer property, yet with worse ventilation or an increased risk of moisture problems?
Jason's experience should help us understand why looking at a building as a whole matters.
There is also a wider question for the property industry.
When someone buys a home, they are making what is often the largest financial commitment of their life. They commission surveys, arrange searches and obtain legal advice to understand what they are purchasing.
Should the health and wellbeing of the people who will live there receive greater consideration?
Perhaps there are lessons here for surveyors, conveyancers, landlords, estate agents and homeowners alike.
This week's conversation is also an opportunity to get to know the man behind the name. We will be asking Jason about his career, his research and what he hopes to achieve through his work.
After all, a home is far more than an asset on a balance sheet or a collection of building materials.
It is where we spend much of our lives.
Join Gareth Wax and Hamish McLay, together with special guest Jason Ratcliffe, this Tuesday at 1 PM for Property Matters.
Have you ever lived in a property that looked perfectly fine yet never felt quite right? We would love to hear your experiences.
Watch live or catch up afterwards on our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@SpillingTheProper-Tea
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