RICS Level 2 Home Survey

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About the Survey

If you are buying a house or a flat in the UK, a house survey – also known as a home survey or property survey – is highly recommended before buying.

Also referred to as the Homebuyers Survey, the RICS Level 2 Home Survey is the most commonly selected option in property purchases. It is typically appropriate for most properties that are in decent condition and generally no older than 80 to 100 years.

An RICS Level 2 Survey Report involves a visual inspection of the property, including the grounds and services. The report outlines the property's condition and identifies any defects. While services such as gas, water, electricity, and the boiler are observed, they are not tested. If safe, loft spaces, basements, cellars, and similar areas are also inspected.

RICS Level 2 Survey Full Description
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What to Expect

  • We offer you the opportunity to raise any questions or concerns about the property you're purchasing. This can be done through the initial booking form, during the pre-survey telephone discussion (usually the day before the inspection), or at any point in between. After that, we take care of arranging access with the agents or vendors, and we'll notify you once a date is confirmed.

  • We conduct a thorough inspection of both the interior and exterior of the main building, which typically takes about two hours. This includes all permanent outbuildings and involves documenting the construction and any significant visible defects. The inspection covers as much of the property as is physically accessible, using tools such as a damp meter, ladder, torch and binoculars.

    If we are unable to access certain areas, we will inform you in the 'Limitations on the Inspection' section of the report. After the inspection, we have a follow-up discussion to provide you with an overview of the key findings before the report is finalised.

  • We prepare a concise report following the RICS Level 2 Report format, covering the following key areas:

    Summary: Provides an overall opinion of the property and highlights any significant defects.

    About the Property: Offers basic information about the property, including comments on energy efficiency, location, and environmental factors.

    Component Assessment: Details the condition of external and internal building components, noting any defects and offering advice on repairs or improvements. Each component is rated using a traffic light system:

    • Green (1): No major repairs needed.

    • Amber (2): Repairs needed, but not urgent.

    • Red (3): Urgent repairs needed.

    • NI: Indicates sections that were not inspected or are not applicable.

    Grounds: Comments on the presence and condition of outbuildings, garages, and gardens (including boundary fencing).

    Legals: Summarizes key items that your legal adviser should address with their counterpart.

    Summary of Risks: Highlights the key risks to people, property, and the surrounding area.

  • We understand that you may have questions after reviewing the report. Therefore, we keep our communication channels open for any enquiries you might have. We encourage you to ask questions, even if it's just for clarification. We sometimes reach out a few weeks later to check on the progress of the sale and see if you have any follow-up questions.

Why Choose MPB Surveying?

Local
Experience

With our in-depth knowledge of local areas within East Kent, and 20+ years of experience in building surveying, we provide expert advice tailored to your specific property and location.

Attention
to Detail

We’re dedicated to getting every detail right. Our careful and precise approach means we cover all aspects of your building survey to the highest standard, giving you thorough and accurate results you can rely on.

Responsive
& Reliable

We value your time and are committed to providing clear communication from start to finish. We promptly respond to all enquiries and provide an average service turnaround time of 3-5 days.

RICS Certified

As certified members of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), we adhere to the highest industry standards, ensuring you receive a top-quality service every time. MPB Surveying is also recognised as an RICS Registered Valuer.

Interested in getting a quote, or want to ask a question?

Get in touch via the form below, send us an email or give us a call, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. All contact details can be found here.