LEVEL 2 SURVEY (HOMEBUYERS SURVEY)

Level 2 Surveys focus on finding and reporting on any damage or issues identified within a home.

The average house price in our area of south-east England is now in excess of £430,000. In fact, The Times reports that there are at least 500,000 UK properties worth over £1million.

Home buyers are always likely to have their budgets stretched when they move, and surveys can seem like an unwelcome extra cost. A homebuyers survey, specifically a RICS Home Survey Level 2 Report, is a sensible choice which avoids the expense of a full Building Survey, but still offers plenty of information about your prospective property purchase.

Want to find out more about the differences between a building survey and homebuyer report? We’ve put together this simple infographic to help you understand.

What is a Level 2 Survey?

A Level 2 Survey provides a detailed assessment of a property’s condition. Carried out by surveyor, this inspection highlights any significant defects or issues in the property, both inside and outside. It also provides the necessary information needed to fix these issues.

This survey is one of three different levels of home buyers survey set out by RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors). The three types of RICS survey are:

Level 1 Survey (Previously known as a Condition Report) – overview of condition of property based on visual inspection
Level 2 Survey (Previously known as a HomeBuyer Report) – closer internal and external inspection, with report on significant visible defects and can include the option of a valuation
Level 3 Survey (Previously known as a Building Survey) – in-depth inspection and detailed report, with information on repairs, defects and risks.

When to choose a Level 2 Survey

A Level 2 survey is generally appropriate for homes which are:

built after 1800
built from standard materials in a standard construction
in good condition

Older houses deserve further investigation to explore possible defects, as do any buildings constructed from materials other than brick and roof tiles, such as older timber-framed and thatched homes. In such cases, we recommend a Level 3 Report as we do for particularly large or expensive houses.

Remember, the main purpose of a Level 2 Survey is to give you information about the condition of the building, so that you are aware of possible future costs for repairs and improvements. In other words, a survey provides essential information about what is likely to be the largest financial transaction in most people’s lives.

What does a Level 2 Survey cover?

To complete a RICS Level 2 survey, a qualified Robinson Elliott surveyor will:

inspect the building, inside and out
report on the type of construction
report on significant visible defects
assess lofts and basements
report on maintenance and repair
detail any urgent repairs that need addressing

This will all be written in plain English, allowing anyone to understand the report, regardless of their property knowledge.

There is also the option of adding a valuation section. The importance of the valuation is that it tells you about:

the market value of the property
any legal issues
reinstatement (rebuilding) costs for insurance purposes

How does a Level 2 Survey highlight property defects?

Clear visible defects will be highlighted in your report, subject to the scope of the survey. To make sure that reports are clear, at Robinson Elliott we have been using a traffic light system to categorise defects. RICS now requires all surveys to use a system with the following colours, numbers and meanings:

Red light defects are serious and need to be repaired, replaced or investigated urgently.

Amber light defects need repairing or replacing but are not considered to be serious or urgent. The property must be maintained in the normal way.

A green light shows that no repair is currently needed. The property must be maintained in the normal way.

Not inspected – if any element cannot be inspected it is reported as NI.

In our report, we note if we’re unable to check any parts of the property that the inspection would normally cover. If we’re concerned, we’ll advise you about any further investigations that could be carried out, though we don’t recommend how repairs should be carried out or tell you how much it might cost.

For more information on defects revealed by surveyors, see our blog on Five Common Issues in House Surveys.

What happens if the survey finds a problem?

Generally speaking, most Level 2 Surveys will uncover some form of issue in the property. This is especially the case for older properties, as problems will naturally arise over longer periods of time.

If any problems arise, you may need to take action. Further steps include:

Discuss next steps with the surveyor (solutions, repair costs etc.)
Get a quote from a professional (builder, electrician etc.)
Negotiate the price with the seller to account for repairs

The next steps after this will depend on its outcome. Explore our article on what to do after bad house surveys for more information.

Do Level 2 Surveys affect property prices?

Theoretically, properties come to market at a price which takes account of their condition. However, a report which highlights defects can provide buyers with scope for negotiation. Certainly, as a buyer, you should be clear about paying a fair price for a property, taking into account the costs of any essential repairs.

On the other side of the coin, a Level 2 Survey which finds no problems means sellers can resist requests to reduce their price. Surveys help buyers and sellers to establish a fair price for the property.

brown and red brick building with a grey wooden door

Alternative survey types

There is no legal obligation to have a survey, and according to What Mortgage around 12% of properties are sold in the UK without one. There is of course a significant risk in buying a home without a survey of any kind, and, if there is a mortgage on the property, lenders will invariably insist on one.

The lowest cost RICS alternative to a Home Survey Level 2 Report is a Level 1 Report. This professional report gives buyers a view of the condition of the property, based on a visual inspection of the interior and exterior. It covers windows, lofts, exposed floors, services, permanent outbuildings and grounds. The report does not cover repairs, and is designed for newer homes which are in good condition.

The most expensive and most thorough RICS home buyers survey is the Home Survey Level 3 Report.

After carrying out a detailed inspection, our surveyors provide a complete report on the property. The report will include information on repairs and improvements, as well as reporting on possible hidden defects, and any risks to the building, grounds and people at the property. An in-depth Level 3 survey is generally undertaken for older, larger and higher value buildings.

Speak with our team to discuss your survey options if you are unsure.

How much is a Level 2 Survey?

At Robinson Elliott, we provide Home Buyer Reports for many different types of property in Sussex, Kent, Surrey and South London, ranging from country cottages and barn conversions to modern town houses and many different types of apartments.

We perform all Level 2 Surveys to our exacting standards, and take full account of the nature of each specific property. As such there is no fixed cost for a HomeBuyer Survey, but prices begin in the region of £600, and an extra £200 for a valuation. Find out more about the different types of home surveys and how much they cost here.

If you would like to find out more about the cost of a Home Buyer Report, contact one of our qualified Chartered Surveyors at Robinson Elliott.

With extensive experience in all types of property and areas in the South East of England, a Home Survey from Robinson Elliott Chartered Surveyors can help ensure your property will be safe and in a good state of repair, and that you are paying the right price for your new home.

To find out more get in touch with Robinson Elliott Chartered Surveyors today to discuss surveys for your property.

Is a Level 2 Survey a HomeBuyers Survey?

Yes – a Level 2 Survey is the same as a Homebuyers Survey or Homebuyers Report.

What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 Surveys?

Level 1 Surveys focus mainly on property valuation, providing a basic assessment of a property’s value. Level 2 Surveys, on the other hand, offer more detail about the property’s condition, highlighting any significant issues that may affect its value.

Do I need a Level 2 Survey for a flat?

Yes, if you’re considering purchasing a flat, a Level 2 Survey is generally recommended to provide a detailed assessment of the property’s condition and any potential issues.

Does a house survey check heating?

Yes, a house survey typically includes an inspection of the heating system to ensure it is functioning properly.

What are the red flags on a house survey?

Structural issues like cracks in walls or foundation
Damp or mould problems
Roofing issues such as missing or damaged tiles
Electrical problems like outdated wiring or faulty outlets
Plumbing issues including leaks or poor water pressure
Heating and cooling system malfunctions
Signs of pests or infestations
Safety hazards like asbestos or lead paint

TESTIMONIALS

Thank you again for your very thorough and helpful report. it will become the backbone of our efforts to maintain the house in the coming months and years, hopefully, if all goes well.

Anastasia
Just to let you know we have completed on Sheridan Place and are moving in at the weekend. Your survey is proving very useful as we commence the repairs and improvements etc. Thanks again for a job well done.

Peter
Thank you. It was nice to meet you and have a chat. I like the fact that you give clients verbal feedback following your survey, a nice personal touch and very useful.

Sharon

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