The Homebuyers Survey (also known as the RICS Level 2 Home Survey) is a cost-effective and easy to read report which is suitable for conventional properties, such as modern or newly build flats or houses.
If you are unsure if you should proceed with the Homebuyers Survey or Building Survey, please watch the video below:
The report uses a standardised traffic – light system to rank the condition of the individual elements of the property, including:
- Roofs
- External Walls
- Windows
- Doors
- Internal Walls
- Kitchen and Gardens
The report will make comment upon any health, safety or legal implications you and/or your Legal Adviser should consider or ascertain, prior to your legal commitment to purchase.
The condition ratings which are provided in the report are described below:
- Condition Rating 1 (Green) No remedial works are required and the property should be maintained in a normal way.
- Condition Rating 2 (Amber) Defects which are not deemed to be significant however will require remedial action or replacing in the near future. It should be noted that in some cases, if these defects are not remedied over a prolonged period of time, they can become Condition Rating 3 (Red) defects.As an example, if a gutter is left blocked over a period of time, this may begin to leak at the joints and subsequently lead to future water penetration and damp defects within the property.
- Condition Rating 3 (Red) This category of defects is deemed to be the most significant of the three and require urgent remediation or further investigations. For example, this can be structural movement, damp ingress, roof spread, possible deleterious materials which require further investigations such as Asbestos, defective drains or significant environmental issues.
- Not Inspected (NI) We make all reasonable attempts to inspect all areas of the property however in some cases, areas may be restricted from view or access. In these instances, if the areas present concern and are likely to conceal significant defects or deleterious materials, we may recommend further specialist investigations.
Upon completion of the Homebuyers Survey, we offer a free of charge telephone consultation to discuss our findings and answer any questions you may have prior to us issuing your report.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions. If you have any further queries or wish to proceed, then please feel free to contact us where we can be of further assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are building services tested as part of the inspection?
We undertake a visual inspection of the building services and will inform you of any visible damage. In any case, it would be prudent to have these tested by specialists such as a NICEIC Qualified Electrician or a Gas Safe Heating Engineer and obtain a certificate where possible.
Why is the Homebuyer Survey cheaper than a Building Survey?
The Homebuyer Survey is commonly used on modern properties, which reduces the time required on site and in preparation of the report.
Does the Homebuyer Survey come with a Valuation?
We do not provide Valuations with our Homebuyer Surveys report. If this is required, then please do not hesitate to contact us and we can arrange for an independent Valuation to be undertaken at an additional fee.
Are photographs included with the Homebuyer report?
Unlike the Building Survey, this report does not include any photographs. If you require photographs then a Building Survey report will be more suitable in this regard.