RICS Level 2 Survey Bosham

Bosham's housing stock presents specific challenges that our surveyors encounter regularly. The village has a significant proportion of properties over 50 years old, with a strong representation of pre-1919 housing concentrated in the historic core around the Quay and High Street. Many of these older properties were built with solid walls, lime mortars, and traditional timber-framed construction that requires specialist knowledge to assess properly. Our team has extensive experience evaluating these traditional building methods and understanding how they perform in the local coastal environment.

The local geology adds another layer of complexity. The Chichester area, including Bosham, sits atop chalk bedrock with overlying deposits of sandy, silty, clayey material and alluvium in the river valleys and coastal areas. Clay-rich superficial deposits can present a shrink-swell risk, particularly for properties with shallow foundations. During prolonged dry or wet periods, these clay soils can cause ground movement leading to subsidence or heave, resulting in structural cracking. Our surveyors specifically look for signs of this movement, checking for diagonal cracks around windows and doors, doors that stick or don't close properly, and uneven floor levels.

Flood risk is a major consideration for anyone buying in Bosham. The village's low-lying position on Chichester Harbour makes areas around the tidal creeks particularly vulnerable to tidal flooding and storm surges. Properties along Shore Road and near the Bosham Channel can experience flooding during high tides and severe weather events. Surface water flooding can also occur during heavy rainfall, especially in areas with inadequate drainage. Our surveyors assess flood resilience measures, review past flood history, and flag any concerns that could affect your property.

The Bosham Conservation Area covers much of the historic village, including properties around the Quay, High Street, and Church Street. Numerous Grade I and Grade II listed buildings dot the area, including the Holy Trinity Church dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. Properties in these designations often require more detailed assessment, and our report will flag if a full RICS Level 3 Building Survey might be more appropriate. We understand the planning constraints that come with listed building ownership and can advise on appropriate survey scope.

• Properties over 50 years old
• Properties in Conservation Areas
• Listed buildings
• Properties with traditional construction
• Low-lying coastal properties

Based on our experience surveying properties across Bosham and the surrounding Chichester area, several recurring issues appear regularly in our reports. Understanding these common defects helps you know what to expect and why a professional survey is essential before purchasing. We have inspected hundreds of properties in this area and have developed a keen eye for the specific problems that affect local housing stock.

Damp is perhaps the most frequently encountered issue, particularly in older properties. The age of many Bosham homes means they may lack proper damp-proof courses, or existing systems may have failed. The coastal environment and proximity to water increase humidity levels, making properties more susceptible to rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation. Our surveyors use specialist equipment to identify damp problems that might not be visible to the untrained eye. We measure moisture levels in walls and floors and can distinguish between historic damp staining and active damp problems that require remediation.

Timber defects are equally common in Bosham's older housing stock. Properties with traditional timber frames, floor joists, and roof structures are vulnerable to rot and woodworm infestation, especially where damp conditions exist. We inspect all accessible timber elements and report any signs of decay that could compromise structural integrity. Our surveyors know how to identify different types of rot, including wet rot and dry rot, and can assess whether timber treatment or replacement is necessary.

Roof condition is another area of frequent concern. Many older roofs in Bosham feature clay tiles or slate that may be deteriorating, with damaged or missing tiles, failed leadwork, and deteriorating timber battens. Our inspection includes accessible roof spaces where we can assess the condition of roof structures and insulation. We also examine chimneys for signs of decay, pointing failure, and potential water ingress. In properties along the coast, salt weathering can accelerate the deterioration of roof materials.

• Rising damp and penetrating damp
• Timber rot and woodworm
• Roof tile damage and leadwork failure
• Outdated electrical systems
• Plumbing and heating defects
• Structural movement and cracking

Your RICS Level 2 Survey report is designed to be clear and easy to understand. We use the RICS traffic light system to categorise our findings, making it simple to see which issues require immediate attention and which can be addressed over time. Red indicates serious issues that need urgent repair, yellow flags defects that will require attention eventually, and green denotes areas in satisfactory condition. This straightforward system helps you prioritise any remedial work needed after you move in.

The report includes a clear summary of the property's overall condition, followed by detailed sections covering each area of the property. Each section identifies specific defects, explains their implications, and recommends appropriate action. In Bosham, where properties often have complex histories and traditional construction, we ensure our reports are sufficiently detailed to help you understand exactly what you are buying. We explain technical terms in plain language so you don't need specialist knowledge to understand our findings.

We also include valuable legal and practical information in your report. This covers building regulations and planning permission compliance, any issues that might affect the property or neighbouring buildings, and environmental factors like flood risk and ground stability. For Bosham properties, this section particularly highlights flood risk assessments and any conservation area considerations. We provide specific advice on what actions you should take based on our findings, whether that's obtaining specialist reports or budgeting for future repairs.