Tree survey for mortgage applications in North London
Has your lender or homebuyer surveyor asked for a tree survey before your mortgage can proceed? A tree survey for mortgage purposes is a written arboricultural report that assesses any trees on or near the property and confirms whether they pose a risk to the building or its foundations. We carry out these reports across North London, working directly to your lender’s timescale.
When lenders and surveyors ask for a tree report
Homebuyer surveys and mortgage valuations regularly flag mature trees close to a property, and lenders use that flag to request a specialist report before releasing funds. RICS Level 2 and Level 3 homebuyer surveys are not written by arborists, so surveyors default to a referral whenever a tree sits within influencing distance of the foundations.
North London’s clay-rich soils raise the stakes. Clay shrinks and swells with moisture content, and thirsty species close to a building can accelerate subsidence during dry spells. North London boroughs including Haringey, Barnet and Enfield sit on exactly this type of ground, which is why local lenders and surveyors treat tree proximity as a standard check rather than an edge case.
A tree preservation order or conservation area designation adds another layer. If a flagged tree is protected, any future works need council consent, and lenders want that constraint documented before they commit funds. Sellers, buyers, and brokers all benefit from having this resolved early, before it holds up completion.
What our mortgage tree reports cover
Every mortgage tree report we produce follows the same two-stage process: a site inspection to record what’s there, and a risk assessment that turns those findings into a lender-ready recommendation. Both stages are carried out by Sean Galton, our lead arborist, using the same qualified methodology whether the property has one flagged tree or several.
Site inspection and tree assessment
Sean visits the property in person to record every tree that could influence the lender’s decision. That means noting each tree’s species, height, canopy spread, and distance from the building, along with visible signs of decay, disease, or structural weakness.
We also check root systems where subsidence is a concern, cross-reference the soil type against the local geology, and note whether any tree carries a preservation order or sits within a conservation area. Photographs are taken throughout, so the final report gives the lender a clear visual record alongside the written findings.
For flats and new-build purchases, we assess trees on neighbouring land where they still fall within influencing distance of the property. Nothing gets left out because it belongs to someone else; if it could affect the mortgage decision, it goes in the report.
Risk assessment and lender-ready recommendations
Once the site visit is complete, Sean assesses each flagged tree using QTRA (Quantified Tree Risk Assessment) and VTA (Visual Tree Assessment), the two recognised methods for grading tree condition and risk of failure. This gives the lender a risk rating that’s been reached through a documented, industry-standard process rather than a subjective judgement call.
Where a tree presents a genuine risk, the report sets out exactly what needs to happen: pruning, monitoring, or removal, with a rough timescale for each recommendation. Where no action is needed, we say so plainly. Lenders want a clear answer, not a hedge.
The finished report is written to be read and accepted by a third party. It states the property address, the trees assessed, the findings, and the recommendation, in a structure your lender or conveyancer can act on without chasing clarification.
Our process and turnaround
Booking a mortgage tree report with Forbes Tree Care follows a straightforward sequence:
- Contact us with your address and a copy of your surveyor’s or lender’s request, so we know exactly what the report needs to cover.
- We book a site visit, usually within a few working days, and confirm the date and access requirements with you directly.
- Sean carries out the inspection and risk assessment on site, checking every tree that could influence the lender’s decision.
- We write up the report and return it within a week of the site visit, ready to send straight to your lender, broker, or conveyancer.
- If your lender has follow-up questions, we’re on hand to clarify the findings directly with them.
Because we work to a fixed, published turnaround, you can tell your solicitor or broker exactly when to expect the report, which helps keep the rest of the transaction on schedule.
How much does a mortgage tree report cost?
A mortgage tree report from Forbes Tree Care costs £360 inc VAT for a standard single-property report. That figure covers the site visit, the risk assessment, and the written report itself, with no separate call-out fee for North London addresses.
Some properties need more than one tree assessed, or sit on a larger plot with several trees within influencing distance of the foundations. In those cases, we confirm the final price after reviewing your surveyor’s request, before the work is booked in.
If your lender or solicitor has asked for a different type of report, such as a full BS5837 survey or an insurance report, pricing works differently. Our tree surgeon costs guide covers the full breakdown.
For the mortgage report itself, £360 inc VAT is the number to work with, and it’s what most North London buyers and homeowners end up paying.
Why Choose Forbes Tree Care?
- Fully qualified team of skilled arborists
- Clear, honest and friendly advice
- Bespoke services tailored to your needs
- Quick and easy quoting
- Extremely fast turnaround times
- Affordable prices and quality service
- Fully insured for all types of tree works
- Family owned and operated company
- Sustainable, zero-waste tree care services
How Does it Work?
1. Send Us an Enquiry
Provide a brief description of your requirements. We’ll schedule an appointment to assess your trees and discuss what needs doing.
2. Get a Free Quote
Our friendly team will provide a competitive quote along with our next available date to complete the work.
3. Work Begins!
Our tree surgeons will arrive at the agreed time to carry out work – you don’t need to be in unless we can’t access the site without you.
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Frequently asked questions
Tree survey costs depend on the type of report. Our mortgage and insurance reports typically cost £360 inc VAT, general tree reports start from £300, and BS5837 surveys and larger risk assessments are quoted per site based on tree count and complexity. We confirm the final figure in writing before booking.
Mortgage lenders almost always request a mortgage tree report, not a full BS5837 survey, for a standard residential purchase. BS5837 is reserved for planning applications, so unless you're also doing building work, you won't need one for a straightforward purchase. A mortgage tree report focuses on the flagged trees, not every tree on site, which keeps cost and turnaround proportionate to the actual risk.
What's included in a tree survey report is straightforward: each tree's species, dimensions, and condition, a summary of any risks identified, and the surveyor's recommendations. We also include photographs and a short site plan showing the trees' position relative to the building. The finished report is delivered as a PDF, formatted for direct submission to your lender.
Mortgage surveys start with your homebuyer survey, and any tree concern it raises becomes a formal condition on your mortgage offer. Your solicitor or broker then instructs a specialist, such as Forbes Tree Care, to produce a tree report addressing that specific concern. Once we submit our findings, the lender either releases the funds or asks for the recommended works first.
Learn About Tree Survey & Report Services
Get a Free Quote
If you’re based in North London and in need of professional tree care services, simply fill out the form below detailing your requirements. Our friendly team will come back to you within 24 hours with an affordable quote for the work. We look forward to hearing from you.