The valuation report obtained by the mortgage lender will often be from an in-house staff valuer, an associated firm of valuers, or a corporate organisation with whom they have reciprocal arrangements. These organisations may offer additional Home Buyer Survey Reports or, occasionally, Building Surveys.
Are they, however, truly unbiased? It is difficult to see how an organisation whose business is lending money can be considered to be disinterested in the outcome of a survey inspection. The lender may be providing the money, selling the property through its estate agency arm, providing other financial services and gaining a survey fee, all quite legally.
An Independent Surveyor is just that - independent. The surveyor will give a totally unbiased report tailored to the specific needs of the buyer, and offer independent advice upon which the buyer can base a decision, uninfluenced by any external considerations.