PROPERTY expert Phil Spencer is backing calls by surveyors for properties to be measured accurately.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has published a new guide to help buyers and renters pay a fair price for a home, based on consistent measuring.

Phil, of Location, Location, Location fame, is helping promote the guide, Measurement Matters, which aims to ensure house hunters are not paying more than they should because of inaccurate floor plans.

"The size of a home - whether buying or renting - can often make the difference in what a buyer or renter will pay for that property," said Phil.

"Yet many companies measure the size of property differently and can notch up square footage by an extra 10 per cent, which can result in them hiking the asking price or rent up.

"It’s vitally important every room in a property is measured accurately so buyers and renters pay a fair price, and RICS’ Measurement Matters guide offers just that: a consistent and transparent way of measuring and producing accurate floor plans using RICS’ mandatory property measurement standard.

"In turn, this will create a fairer, more robust market place, and give buyers and renters the peace of mind they are not paying for something they aren’t getting.”

According to the guide, a residential property’s floor plan must include accurate wall-to-wall, window-to-window measurements of internal rooms such as the kitchen, dining room/lounge and all bedrooms.

However, outside areas such as balconies, decking, detached garages, outbuildings and any uninhabitable basements/lofts should not be included in the overall measurement of a property, as this could depict the home as larger than it really is.

To find out more about the new Measurement Matters Guide, see www.rics.org/standards