Can a lender panel recognise Federation of Damp reports?

Yes. The Federation of Damp welcomes conversations with lenders, surveying firms and panel managers about recognising its reports, and will share its standard, vetting criteria and reporting framework for assessment.

For lenders, valuers & conveyancers

Damp reports you can rely on for confident lending decisions

Q: How does a Federation of Damp report support a lending decision?

Members follow the FOD 7-Step Survey Method, requiring inspection, testing and environmental assessment before diagnosis, and a clear written report with findings and proportionate recommendations, giving a structured, evidence-based basis for a decision.

Q: How does the Federation of Damp relate to other industry bodies?

Several bodies operate in the sector. The Federation of Damp is an independent standards body focused on evidence-based diagnosis, consistent reporting, member vetting and a clear complaints process, and shares its standard and criteria with lenders assessing recognition.

Q: Are Federation of Damp members insured and checked?

Yes. Members must complete recognised training and pass checks on competence, valid public liability insurance and business status. Membership is current and subject to ongoing standards.

Q: How do we verify a surveyor is a current Federation of Damp member?

Search the public register. A live listing confirms the surveyor is a current, vetted member accountable to Federation of Damp standards. If they are not listed, they are not a current member.

When a valuation flags damp, the specialist report behind the decision has to be sound. Federation of Damp members produce structured, evidence-based damp assessments to a single national standard, so you can act on a clear diagnosis rather than guesswork.

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200+Vetted members

650+Professionals certified

7-StepSurvey Method

UK-wideCoverage

The lending risk

A damp report is only as good as the diagnosis behind it

When damp is flagged on a valuation, an inconsistent or incorrect report can lead to the wrong decision, unnecessary retentions, delays and disputes.

Misdiagnosis

Condensation read as rising damp, or external defects missed, leading to the wrong remedial recommendation.

Inconsistent reporting

Reports that vary in quality and format make it hard to compare risk and lend with confidence.

Treatment before diagnosis

Recommendations made before the cause is properly established can inflate works and create later disputes.

What a Federation of Damp report gives you

Evidence, consistency and accountability

Every Federation of Damp member works to the same standard, so the report behind your decision is structured, defensible and traceable.

Evidence-based diagnosis

The FOD 7-Step Survey Method requires inspection and testing before any conclusion, so the cause is established on evidence.

Consistent reporting

A defined reporting standard means clear, comparable reports that set out findings, diagnosis and proportionate recommendations.

Vetted members

Members complete recognised training and pass checks on competence, insurance and business status before being listed.

Public liability insurance

We confirm members carry valid public liability insurance as a condition of membership.

Code of Conduct

Members agree to a Code of Conduct and Ethics covering honest assessment and transparent recommendations.

A route to accountability

A formal complaints process means a listed member can be held to the standard they agreed to, unlike a one-off certificate.

The Federation of Damp Standard

One method, applied to every survey

Confidence in a report comes from the method behind it. Every member is trained in the FOD 7-Step Survey Method, a structured, evidence-based process that puts diagnosis before any recommendation.

Inspect, test and assess before diagnosing
Moisture readings used in context, not in isolation
Proportionate, evidence-led recommendations

See the 7-Step Method How we vet members

Federation of Damp professional standards and code of conduct

Built on credibility

An independent standards and training body

The Federation of Damp is independent as a training and standards provider. Our FODCS surveyor and FODCT technician certifications are independently City & Guilds Assured, and our damp surveyor training is CPD certified. This is recognised, externally validated training, not a paid badge.

City & Guilds Assured

200+ vetted members nationwide

650+ professionals certified

Public register and complaints process

For valuers and conveyancers

Verify a surveyor in seconds

Before accepting a damp report, confirm the surveyor is a current Federation of Damp member on our public register. A live listing confirms they are vetted, insured and accountable to the standard today.

Check the register

Lender questions

What lenders and valuers ask us

What is the Federation of Damp?

The Federation of Damp is an independent training and standards body for damp, mould and waterproofing professionals in the UK. We set a defined standard for how damp is diagnosed and reported, train and certify members against it, and maintain a public register so their status can be verified.

How does a Federation of Damp report support a lending decision?

Members follow the FOD 7-Step Survey Method, which requires inspection, testing and environmental assessment before a diagnosis, and a clear written report setting out findings and proportionate recommendations. That gives you a structured, evidence-based basis for your decision rather than an unsupported opinion.

How does the Federation of Damp relate to other industry bodies?

Several bodies operate in this sector. The Federation of Damp is an independent standards body focused on evidence-based diagnosis, consistent reporting, member vetting and a clear complaints process. We are happy to share our standard, vetting criteria and reporting framework with any lender or panel manager assessing recognition.

Is your certification independently assured by a recognised body?

Yes. Selected Federation of Damp certification courses are independently City & Guilds Assured, our FODCS surveyor and FODCT technician certifications, and our damp surveyor training is also CPD certified. City & Guilds is the UK's leading skills certification organisation, so "Assured" means the course has been independently reviewed against their quality benchmarks. For a lender or valuer, that means the report behind a decision comes from training that has been externally quality-checked, not self-certified.

Are members insured and checked?

Yes. As a condition of membership, members must have completed recognised training and pass checks covering competence, valid public liability insurance and business status. Membership is current and subject to ongoing standards, not a one-off certificate.

How do we verify a surveyor is a current member?

Search our public register. A live listing confirms the surveyor is a current, vetted member accountable to Federation of Damp standards. If they are not listed, they are not a current member.

Can our panel or firm recognise Federation of Damp reports?

Yes. We welcome conversations with lenders, surveying firms and panel managers about recognising Federation of Damp reports. Get in touch and we will share our standard, vetting criteria and reporting framework so you can assess them against your requirements.

Work with the Federation of Damp

Verify a specialist for a current case, or talk to us about recognising Federation of Damp reports across your panel.

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