Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Stock Condition Survey?

A Stock Condition Survey is a vital assessment carried out by experienced Housing Surveyors at Powys County Council. It evaluates the condition and energy efficiency of dwellings, providing essential data to support compliance with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023 and contribute to the decarbonisation of social housing across Wales.

What is the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023?

WHQS 2023 is a set of standards aimed at ensuring homes are safe, warm, and energy-efficient. The Stock Condition Survey helps us meet these standards. Links to more information can be found: Further Information and Links

What are some examples of energy efficiency improvements?

Energy efficiency improvement measures are upgrades that help reduce heat loss, lower energy bills, and improve the environmental performance of your home.

Examples include:

• loft insulation
• external, internal or cavity wall insulation
• low-carbon heating systems (such as air source heat pumps)
• photovoltaic (solar) panels.

However, not all measures will be suitable for every home. This is why the Stock Condition Survey is so important — it allows us to assess each property individually and determine which measures are most appropriate. The information gathered helps us develop a bespoke target energy pathway for each dwelling, supporting both compliance with the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) 2023 and the wider goal of reducing carbon emissions across our housing stock.

Will I be charged for the survey?

No, the survey is conducted at no cost to the tenant.

Can I see the results of the survey?

Yes, you can request to see the results of the survey once the project has been completed. A process will be established for tenants to formally request the results.

When will my property be surveyed?

We're carrying out surveys across the county as part of a carefully planned, long term programme. This approach helps us manage resources effectively while focusing first on homes with lower energy ratings or those where we need updated information. All council homes will be surveyed, and we'll contact you when yours is due. 

How will I be contacted about the survey?

All tenants will receive advanced notification of the project via two letters. The first letter will provide general information about the project, while the second - delivered by hand - will confirm the proposed date for your homes survey. The schedular will then be in touch with tenants 1-2 weeks prior to the appointment via telephone to confirm appointment date and time and run through some information relevant to the survey. Please ensure that PCC have the correct contact details on file. The highly skilled surveyor will then contact tenants the day before the agreed survey appointment. This is to introduce themselves and to confirm arrangements made.

How will I know the surveyor is from Powys County Council?

A dedicated highly skilled in-house surveyor will visit your home to conduct the survey. They will be wearing PCC uniforms and will be carrying PCC ID badges. We encourage all tenants to ask for this ID before allowing entry to their property. Please contact the dedicated Stock Condition Team for queries Stock Condition Survey Team and Contacts.

Can I refuse, I prefer not to have people in my home?

Powys County Council has a legal duty as your landlord to maintain your home in a safe and good condition, and to ensure compliance with Welsh Government housing standards. To help fulfil this duty and in order to assess the standard of repair, we are statutorily obliged to have regard to the age and character of each dwelling. In order to ensure our compliance with this, we are carrying out a Stock Condition Survey across all properties. Your tenancy agreement states that you must provide access for visits in accordance with the Council's landlord function, that function allows us to inspect your properties condition and state of repair.

What should I do if I need to cancel the survey appointment?

If you need to cancel the appointment, please contact our team as soon as possible to reschedule.

Phone: 01597 827464 Option 2

Email: SCS@powys.gov.uk

What should I do if I can't be home for the survey?

If you cannot be home at the scheduled time, please contact our team directly to rearrange the appointment.

Phone: 01597 827464 Option 2

Email: SCS@powys.gov.uk

We require the tenant or a responsible person over the age of 18 to be in attendance for the survey. If no one is available when we arrive at your property, we will leave a calling card and allocate a new appointment. We're aiming to survey every council property, and we will make every effort to complete your survey at a convenient time. Please note, repeated missed appointments without notice may lead to enforcement action, as the survey is essential to keep your home in good condition and for planning future improvements.

How should I prepare for the survey?

To help our surveyors complete the Stock Condition Survey as efficiently and accurately as possible, please take the following steps in advance of the visit:

• Keep an eye out for upcoming letters and communications regarding the survey. Our letters will contain important details, including your scheduled survey date. A schedular will also be in touch to confirm the arrangements directly with you.
• For further updates and information, we encourage you to regularly check our newsletter "Tenant News" visit our Housing Service Facebook page and stay in contact with your tenant representatives. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us - the earlier you get in touch, the quicker it will be to address any issues, or make any necessary arrangements. Please ensure that a responsible adult - aged over 18 - is available at the property to provide access and facilitate the survey. If the contract holder is unable to attend, you may nominate someone else to be present on your behalf. When we contact you to confirm your appointment, we will request the full name and contact details of the nominated person. At that time, please also inform us of any support needs or special arrangements that may be required to facilitate access or participation.
• We kindly request that reasonable and unobstructed access is provided to all internal and external areas of your home. This includes, but is not limited to, the attic, airing cupboards, shed, outbuilding and any other relevant spaces. If it is safe to do so, please ensure that all internal and external gates, and any locked areas are unlocked and accessible in advance of the scheduled appointment. This will help avoid delays and ensure the survey can be completed in a single visit.
• To ensure the safety of your pets and to allow the survey to be carried out efficiently, we kindly request that all pets are secured in a safe and contained space for the duration of the visit. As the survey will require access to every room within the property, you may need to move your pet accordingly to ensure surveyors can carry out their work without obstruction. Your cooperation in this matter is greatly appreciated and will help ensure the visit proceeds smoothly and safely.
• Our surveyors will be visiting to assess the condition of the property and are not concerned with personal belongings or how your home is arranged. All surveyors are trained professionals who carry out their work with respect and discretion. To help the survey go smoothly and avoid any concerns, we kindly recommend that any personal or valuable items are stored or removed from view prior to the survey.
• If you or the adult who will be at home during the survey have any specific needs to help the visit go smoothly (for example, if you're partially sighted, hard of hearing, or have mobility issues), please let us know. You can tell us when we hand-deliver your appointment letter, or when our scheduler calls to confirm your appointment. We're here to help and want to make sure the survey is as easy and comfortable as possible for everyone.

Our highly skilled surveyors all carry official identification cards, which should be presented upon arrival. Please take a moment to verify their ID before granting access to your home. If you notice any suspicious behaviour or have concerns about the identity of a visitor, do not hesitate to contact us immediately. Your cooperation helps us maintain a safe and respectful environment for all tenants.

What if I have pets?

Please ensure that any pets are kept secure for the duration of the survey to allow the surveyor to work safely and efficiently. 

This may mean that if dogs or any pets are secured in a particular room, they may need to moved to a second room to allow the survey to continue. Any responsible adult over 18 in attendance on behalf of the tenant will need to be able to safely handle and move all pets.

What if I need assistance during the survey?

If you require assistance or support during the survey due to a disability or impairment, please let us know in advance so we can arrange for a member of the Housing Team to be present.

You can either let one of the team know when your appointment letter is hand delivered, advise the scheduler when they call to confirm your appointment, or contact us directly.

Phone: 01597 827464 (Option2) Email: SCS@powys.gov.uk

What areas of my home will be inspected and how long will the survey take?

To ensure a smooth and efficient survey process, our highly skilled in-house surveyor will require access to all internal and external areas of your property. This includes spaces such as attics, built-in airing cupboards, outbuildings and sheds. We kindly ask that you ensure these areas have reasonable access on the day of the survey. The survey is expected to take approximately 90 minutes to complete. However, this may vary depending on the size of your property and the ease of access to all necessary areas.

To help us carry out the survey efficiently and minimise any disruption, we would appreciate it if the surveyor is allowed to work without interruption. Should they require any assistance, they will speak directly to the adult present for the survey.

What information will be collected during the survey?

The highly skilled surveyor will collect information on:

• The condition of all assets and components, in addition to major elements i.e. wall, ceilings, floors etc.
• Energy efficiency data to understand how energy efficient your home is. The data is used to assess current performance, plan future energy saving upgrades, set energy efficient targets, and track the progress. We will also use the data to inform our Target Energy Pathways and/or identify suitable energy efficiency improvements for your home.

Will the surveyor take photographs?

Yes, the highly skilled surveyor will take photographs for record purposes. These photos will be used solely for internal documentation and reporting and will be retained only as long as necessary. Any potential sensitive information, such as personal photos, will be redacted. The photos will remain confidential and accessible only to authorised personnel and will not be shared publicly or used for other purposes.

Will the surveyor need to move furniture or other items?

No, the surveyor will not expect you to move furniture or other large items, but we kindly ask they have reasonable and safe access to all areas of the home, unobstructed by furniture or belongings if possible.

Will the survey cause any damage to my home?

The survey is primarily a visual inspection and will not cause any damage to your home. Our highly skilled surveyors are trained to assess the condition of the property using non-intrusive methods wherever possible. However, in a small number of cases, we may carry out minor intrusive investigations to help confirm the construction type or key characteristics of certain properties. These will only be undertaken where necessary, and you will be advised in advance. Any disruption will be kept to an absolute minimum, and any minor reinstatement works resulting from the inspection will be completed in a timely manner by our in-house repairs and maintenance team.

Will the surveyor report any repairs during the survey?

Any emergency repairs that are identified by our surveyors will be reported at their earliest convenience. However, tenants will be asked to report any non-emergency repairs through the usual channels:

Phone: 01597 827464

Email: powys-repairs@powys.gov.uk

How will the surveyor handle confidential information?

All information collected during the survey will be treated as strictly confidential. It will be stored securely in line with data protection legislation and used solely for the purposes of assessing the condition and energy efficiency of your home, planning future improvement works, and ensuring compliance with relevant housing standards. Access to your information will be restricted to authorised Council officers who require it to carry out their duties. Your data will not be shared with third parties without your consent, unless legally required to do so.

What happens after the survey?

• All data collected and any photographs will be stored securely and will only be used for the intended purposes and will be deleted once not needed.
• We will use the data we collect—including any challenges to improving energy efficiency—to create tailored energy plans for each home. These bespoke energy pathways are designed to help properties meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Energy Target of SAP 92.
• The information we gather during the Stock Condition Survey helps us plan future investment in your home. We use this data to build accurate 30-year programmes for key improvements such as Kitchens, Bathrooms, Heating systems. This means we can make better decisions about when upgrades are needed. In some cases, this may lead to changes in previously expected renewal dates—but it ensures every home gets the right work at the right time.
• After your survey you may also be contacted by our Quality Assurance Team either by letter, email or phone call to ensure you are satisfied with the survey and gather any feedback you may have.

Have a question we haven't answered? Ask it here. Stock Condition Survey: Ask us a question