If you are obtaining a mortgage your lender will have the property inspected to see if it is suitable for them to lend against.
It is important to realise that this is a very rudimentary valuation aimed only at protecting the lenders investment and not your interests.
For an additional fee you have the option of having a survey done which will provide you with more detailed information about the property, and it may highlight any problems with the property that you should be aware of.
It is often advisable to have a more detailed survey carried out on older properties, or simply if you want the additional peace of mind that a detailed survey can bring.