RICS Level 2 Home Survey

The RICS Level 2 Home Survey is the most common type of inspection and includes a general opinion upon the condition of the dwelling, both internally and externally.

 

The RICS Level 2 Home Survey is presented to you by Robin Austin Surveyors will include details of our inspection of each item and is ideally suited for properties between 5-100 years old.

 

In some cases there may be limitations upon the inspection. For further information, please check our terms and conditions applicable to this report.

RICS Level 2 Home Survey

 

The RICS Level 2 Home Survey includes an inspection,
a report and these are all explained in detail in the ‘Description of the RICS Level 2 Home Survey’ the surveyor will give you. The RICS Level 2 Home Survey
is a standard format, and is different to an RICS Level 3 Home Survey in three main ways.

 

  1. It is designed for particular types of home.
    These are houses, bungalows and flats that:
    • are of a traditional type and construction; and
    • are apparently in reasonable condition.

  2. It identifies what the surveyor considers to be the most important issues. By applying condition ratings to elements of the building, the services and any garages and permanent outbuildings, the surveyor will tell you whether defects are serious or urgent.

  3. An Open Market Valuation and Insurance Reinstatement
    (which you will need for insurance purposes)
    can be included at an additional cost.

  4. Does not include photographic evidence.

The report also includes other valuable information.

What else should I know about
the RICS Level 2 Home Survey?

 

It is an economical service. Because of the practical limits on the type of property and what the service covers, the RICS Level 2 Home Survey is priced mid-range – more expensive than a mortgage valuation, but cheaper than a building survey.

The surveyor’s main purpose in providing
the service is to help you:

 

  • make a reasoned and informed decision on whether or not to go ahead with buying the property;
  • make an informed decision on what is a reasonable price to pay for the property;
  • take account of any repairs or replacements the property needs; and
  • consider what other advice to take before exchanging contracts (if the property is in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man) or concluding an offer (if the property is in Scotland).

The report covers the inside and outside of the
building, the services and the site and includes:

 

  • details of the general condition and particular features of the property;
  • condition ratings for elements of the structure of the building, the services and any garages and permanent outbuildings;
  • particular points you should refer to your legal advisers;
  • specific risks associated with the property;
  • other relevant considerations – for example, the location, the local environment and the energy performance of the property (if this information is available).

Any defects that the surveyor considers do not need repairing or replacing, or any minor matters that do not affect the value of the property, are generally not included in the report.

 

If you have a particular requirement that you would like the surveyor to consider, you should discuss this with the surveyor before they provide you with the service.

The main features of the RICS Level 2 Home Survey are compared below with the features of a RICS Level 3 Home Survey.

RICS Level 2 Home Survey

Type of

property

Traditional houses, flats, bungalows and so on, in apparently reasonable condition .

Type of service

 A shorter, less detailed report in a
standard format.

Aims of service

To help you:

 

  • make a reasoned and informed decision on whether to go ahead
    with buying the property;

  • make an informed decision on what is a reasonable price to pay for the property;

  • take account of any repairs or replacements the property needs; and

  • consider what other advice you need to take before exchanging contracts

Special features

Provides condition ratings for elements of the building, services and any garages and permanent outbuildings.

Valuation

Not included but can be included at an additional cost.

Form of report

RICS Level 2 Home Survey which
is a compact, standard format.

RICS Level 3 Home Survey

Type of

property

Any residential or other property,
in any condition.

Type of service

 A detailed report that is tailored
to suit your needs.

Aims of service

To give you:

 

  • a detailed assessment of the condition and construction of the property; and

  • technical advice on any problems and work needed to put them right

Special features

Provides full details of the property’s construction, materials, uses, defects, and need for future maintenance. Condition ratings for elements of the building, services and any garages and permanent outbuildings.

Valuation

Not included but can be included at an additional cost.

Form of report

RICS Level 3 Home Survey is more detailed and technical than the RICS Level 2 Home Survey.
And includes photographic evidence of defects.

Robin Austin Surveyors LLP

Suite 14D | Chatmohr Estate | Crawley

West Wellow  | ROMSEY

Hampshire | SO51 6AP

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