A few years ago, we were approached and asked to help promote opportunities to survey for the English Housing Survey (EHS), and we were very happy to do so. We have built a genuinely strong working relationship with the team, and they know the quality, professionalism and common sense that RPSA members bring to the table.
That is exactly why they are coming back to our “gene pool” again now. They want experienced residential surveyors who can be trusted to represent the profession well, work consistently, and produce reliable inspection data that matters nationally.
On a personal note, I know several RPSA surveyors already doing this work, and they have all said the same thing: it has been a great experience. There is also a real status lift to being able to say you survey for the English Housing Survey. It is not just another job; it is a role that carries a bit of weight.
And yes, you are even paid to train. Paid training, free CPD, and a few days away with other surveyors. If that is not a sensible combination, I do not know what is.
The English Housing Survey is the government’s flagship survey collecting information about people’s housing circumstances and the condition and energy efficiency of housing in England. It has been running since 1967 and has National Statistics status.
It has two components:
This combination is a major reason the EHS is so valuable; it links the physical condition of homes with the circumstances of the people living in them.
The EHS provides the Government with authoritative data on the condition of the housing stock and how it changes over time. The outputs are widely used by organisations including government departments, academics, charities, think tanks and institutions such as the Bank of England.
The EHS is delivered through a consortium including:
NatCen interviewers complete the household interview. CADS surveyors then undertake physical surveys at a sub-sample of addresses, with BRE handling analysis and reporting.
Surveyors are trained in the EHS methodology to carry out visual inspections to assess:
The physical survey is dwelling-based, covering the home and the surrounding area. Data is captured on a handheld tablet and then uploaded to a secure website for validation.
The survey is comprehensive but strictly non-intrusive, and takes on average around 60 minutes per dwelling.
Established surveyors typically carry out 40 to 50 surveys per year, with about an hour on site per dwelling, organised in discrete packages of work.
Fieldwork is managed in 8 waves throughout the year. Most surveyors do not work all 8 waves, typically between 4 and 6, depending on location, availability and local quotas.
Appointments are normally booked in advance with the respondent household, using the surveyor's availability posted for specific geographical groups of addresses.
England is divided into 5 regional surveying teams, each managed by a full-time CADS Regional Manager who undertakes initial assessment and supports surveyors during briefing and fieldwork.
A helpline is staffed during survey periods:
Support includes assistance with access arrangements, property searches, and keeping surveys running efficiently.
All new surveyors attend a rigorous 5-day residential training programme delivered by BRE at Warwick University, combining classroom training with site visits.
Training dates (2026): Saturday 30 May to Thursday 4 June 2026 (inclusive).
The training offers many hours of CPD, and support continues afterwards, with Regional Managers validating every submitted survey form to ensure accurate interpretation and continuous improvement through feedback.
The survey fees apply across the survey year (April to March) and are currently:
Mileage is paid at 45p per mile for journeys necessarily incurred during fieldwork and training.
Payment for training is £875 (excluding VAT), which includes the distance learning pack and attendance at the residential training.
Recruitment is targeted to specific geographical areas, shown on the map as purple polygons.
Recruitment areas for new English Housing Surveyors (updated regularly).
The online mapping is updated in real time to reflect where surveyors are currently needed. Click here for the online map
Current priority areas include:
Contact Rachel Simpkins: rachel.simpkins@cadshs.co.uk for:
Contact Ian Watson: ian.watson@cadshs.co.uk for:
Contact Rachel Crosby: rachel.crosby@cadshs.co.uk for:
Contact Andy Bodsworth: andy.bodsworth@cadshs.co.uk for:
CADS note that surveyors typically come from environmental health, building surveying, domestic energy and architectural backgrounds.
Their wider eligibility list includes, but is not limited to:
If you are interested, we advise you to enquire, and CADS will assess your CV and confirm whether you are qualified to be considered further.
Applicants undergo an initial screening process organised by Regional Managers to ensure they meet the required quality threshold for EHS surveyors.
The selection process can include:
If you are in one of the recruitment areas and fancy something slightly different to the usual run of work, this is well worth a look. It is flexible, professionally solid, and one of those roles you can genuinely be proud to say you do.
If you want to explore it, contact Steve at steve.moore@cadshs.co.uk and take it from there.
