RICS Level 2 Survey in BN17

Littlehampton's built environment reflects its history as a seaside resort and working port town. The area around the seafront and River Arun contains some of the older housing stock - Victorian and Edwardian terraces built when Littlehampton was an established resort. The bulk of the residential stock across BN17 dates from the 1930s through to the 1960s, when the town expanded inland from the seafront.

The reference to municipal concrete structures and promenades in Littlehampton's architecture points to a construction period that included some non-standard methods. Rendered block and concrete construction from the 1950s to early 1960s is encountered in several BN17 streets, alongside more conventional brick-built terraces and semis. Our surveyors identify and flag all non-standard construction methods in the Level 2 report.

The most common property types we inspect across BN17 include:

• Victorian and Edwardian terraces (pre-1919) near the seafront and town centre - solid brick, typically with original or renewed slate roofs
• Interwar brick terraces and semis (1930s-1940s) across the residential streets inland from the seafront
• Post-war brick and rendered block construction (1945-1965) - often with flat-roofed extensions added in later decades
• 1960s and 1970s private build semis and detached houses on the residential estates east and north of the town centre
• Conversion flats in larger Victorian properties along the seafront and conservation area streets

Terraced properties account for the majority of BN17 sales, averaging £285,731. Most BN17 terraces fall within the standard profile for a Level 2 survey - conventional construction, manageable scope, and predictable defect profiles related to their era.

Our RICS Level 2 survey follows the RICS Home Survey Standard, providing a full visual inspection of all accessible parts of the property. For a typical BN17 terrace, the inspection takes 2 to 3 hours. Semi-detached or detached properties with outbuildings and extensions typically take 3 to 4 hours.

The inspection covers all accessible areas of the property, with our surveyor assessing:

• Roof structure and coverings - checked from within the roof space and visually from ground level using binoculars where direct access is not possible
• Chimneys, gutters, and rainwater goods - examined for condition, blockage risk, and secure fixing
• External walls, render, and pointing - checked with a calibrated damp meter at ground-floor level and visually across all elevations
• Windows, doors, and external joinery - tested for operation, seal integrity, rot evidence, and frame bedding condition
• Internal walls, ceilings, and floors - inspected for cracking, damp staining, movement, and floor deflection
• Roof space - accessed and checked for structure, insulation, signs of dampness, and evidence of vermin
• Kitchen and bathrooms - visual check for water damage, mould, ventilation adequacy, and tile condition
• Services - consumer unit and accessible wiring, pipework condition, and heating system age

Each element is assigned a RICS condition rating. Condition Rating 3 (red) indicates urgent repair. Condition Rating 2 (amber) means repair is required but not immediately urgent. Condition Rating 1 (green) means no repair is currently needed. The written report includes a summary, a valuation commentary, and guidance on any specialist investigations we recommend.

Survey fees in BN17 are based on the property's market value and size. With average prices in BN17 lower than much of the BN postcode area, most BN17 surveys fall within the lower fee brackets. As a working guide:

• Flats and properties up to £200,000 (the BN17 flat market and lower-end terraces): from £379
• Properties £200,000 to £350,000 (standard BN17 terrace and semi range): from £399
• Properties £350,000 to £500,000 (larger semis and detached): from £449
• Properties above £500,000: quoted individually

The 100 transactions in BN17 that fell in the £278,000 to £342,000 range represent the core of the market, and these properties typically attract standard-rate survey fees. Pre-1919 Victorian terraces near the seafront may carry a modest uplift of 10 to 20% due to the additional inspection time required for older solid-wall construction.

Survey fees in BN17 represent a small cost relative to typical repair bills. In West Sussex coastal properties, common remediation expenditure includes roof tile replacement at £800 to £3,500, damp treatment at £600 to £2,500 per affected area, and external render repair at £600 to £3,000 per elevation. The information a survey provides directly supports negotiation on purchase price.