RICS HOUSE BUYING SURVEYS LEVELS 1, 2 AND 3

Rics House Buying Surveys Levels 1, 2 And 3

House surveys are carried out by surveyors, usually, those accredited by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The are various types of RICS surveys to assess a property's condition and they are rated by level – the higher the level, the more in-depth the survey.

RICS Level 1 Survey

A RICS Level 1 Survey, previously known as a Condition Report, is the most basic of the three surveys and is best suited to conventionally built, modern properties (ideally under 5 years old) that appear to be in good condition.

A surveyor will inspect the property and provide a simple report describing the property’s current condition and details about its construction but will not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance.

The report will include ‘traffic light’ condition ratings for each of the key elements of the property, garage and outbuildings, clearly indicating those that appear normal, those that give cause for concern and those which will require attention. The report may also point out legal aspects of your property, such as planning & building control issues or access rights, that should be investigated as part of the conveyancing process.

Homebuyers Report/ RICS Level 2 Survey

A Level 2 RICS Survey is more commonly known as a Homebuyers Report and is carried out on properties that are in a reasonable condition to check for easily visible issues e.g., damp or subsidence. Homebuyers Surveys are designed to give prospective buyers peace of mind that there are no visible problems or, if there are, make them aware of them from the outset which can help with negotiations with the seller.

A Homebuyers Survey includes:

• Background information on the property and location

• An estimate for the cost of rebuilding the property for insurance purposes

• An assessment of any damp-proofing, drainage or insulation in the building (although drains are not tested)

• Condition of the building’s timbers and checking woodworm or rot

• Damp test results taken from the walls

• Details of urgent problems which should receive specialist attention before signing a contract

• Details of major faults in easy to get to parts of the property that may affect its value

A Homebuyers Report will not detail every single aspect of the building, but it can reveal issues that might need further investigation. It will include all major sections of a property that are visible to the surveyor, so they will not lift floors or carpets and wiring will not be included.

Building Survey / RICS Level 3 Survey

A Level 3 RICS Survey, often referred to as a Structural or Building Survey, is the most comprehensive of the surveys available for residential properties and will include an in-depth building inspection of a property’s condition and a full survey report.

The Level 3 Survey report will describe the condition of each element of the house and identify:

• the property’s defects

• their apparent cause

• the urgency of repair

• maintenance options

• an approximate cost of repair

Level 3 service aims to help you make a reasoned and informed decision when purchasing a property, including planning for repairs or maintenance and the likely consequences of inactivity.

Level 3 Surveys are needed for:

• Listed Buildings

• Properties over 100 years old

• Buildings constructed in an unusual way, regardless of age

• Buildings that the buyer intends to renovate or change after purchase

• Buildings that have already been significantly altered.

How I Can Help

As an RICS-regulated professional building surveyor with over 14 years of industry experience, I can meet the surveying requirements of a wide range of properties.  I will conduct a thorough and detailed inspection of a property and provide a detailed report on the construction and condition of the various building elements depending on which survey you choose. If you would like to discuss which survey might be best for you or get advice on any aspect of a RICs Level 2 or 3 survey, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today.