Professional property surveys by chartered surveyors in Oxfordshire
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Buying a property in Duns Tew is a significant investment, and our RICS Level 2 Homebuyers Survey provides the detailed inspection you need to make an informed decision. Duns Tew is a desirable village in Cherwell, Oxfordshire, with an average property price of £578,812 and house prices increasing by 60.5% over the past year. Our chartered surveyors understand the local market and the unique characteristics of properties in this historic village.
We inspect properties throughout Duns Tew and the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside, providing comprehensive reports that highlight any defects, structural concerns, or maintenance issues. Whether you are purchasing a period cottage on Main Street or a modern home in this Conservation Area, our Level 2 survey gives you the confidence to proceed with your purchase. The village itself sits at a geological fault line, creating diverse ground conditions across different parts of Duns Tew that our surveyors understand intimately.
Our team has extensive experience surveying properties across Oxfordshire, including the many historic buildings that make Duns Tew distinctive. From the ironstone cottages dating from the 17th century to the Georgian proportions of Duns Tew Manor built around 1710, we know how traditional buildings perform and what to look for when assessing their condition. We provide clear, practical reports that help you understand exactly what you are buying and any work that may be required.
£578,812
Average House Price
£624,357
Detached Properties
60.5%
Annual Price Increase
88.9%
Detached Sales (2025)
471
Population (2021)
Our RICS Level 2 Homebuyers Survey in Duns Tew provides a thorough inspection of the property's condition, identifying any significant issues that may affect its value or safety. The survey includes a detailed examination of the roof structure, walls, floors, ceilings, doors, and windows, as well as the property's plumbing, electrical systems, and damp levels. Our inspectors assess both the interior and exterior of the building, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the property's current condition. We examine accessible areas visually, using established surveying techniques to identify defects that might not be apparent to the untrained eye.
Duns Tew properties present unique challenges for surveyors. Many homes in this village date from the 17th and 18th centuries, constructed from local ironstone and limestone with traditional solid-wall methods. These period properties often lack modern damp-proof courses, making them susceptible to rising damp and penetrating damp. Our surveyors are experienced in identifying these issues and can recommend appropriate remediation measures that work with the building's traditional construction rather than against it. We understand how older buildings "breathe" and the importance of using breathable materials for any repairs.
The survey also includes an assessment of any potential environmental risks specific to the Duns Tew area. Properties in the northern part of the village, near Deddington Brook, may be at risk of fluvial flooding, falling within Flood Zone 3. Additionally, the underlying clay geology in the north of the village presents a shrink-swell risk that can lead to subsidence, particularly during periods of drought or where large trees are present near foundations. Our surveyors note these factors and provide appropriate guidance within your report, helping you understand any additional investigations that might be advisable.
Duns Tew sits on a geological fault line, with the southern part of the village sitting on the limestone belt (part of the Great Oolite group) while the north sits on Oxfordshire clays including marlstone and Lias clay. This variance in ground conditions means foundation performance can differ significantly between properties only a few streets apart. Our surveyors assess foundations and ground conditions appropriate to each property's location within the village, noting any signs of movement or potential issues related to the underlying geology.
Source: Rightmove 2025
Duns Tew is a village with significant historical character, featuring numerous Listed Buildings and properties within the designated Conservation Area. Our chartered surveyors have extensive experience inspecting historic properties across Oxfordshire, including the many ironstone and limestone buildings that define Duns Tew's architectural heritage. We understand how traditional buildings "breathe" and the importance of using appropriate materials for repairs and maintenance. This expertise is particularly valuable given the Conservation Area Appraisal that actively discourages the use of uPVC for windows and doors.
Properties such as Duns Tew Manor (built around 1710), the Church of St Mary Magdalene dating from the late 12th or early 13th century, and various farmhouses and cottages along Main Street represent centuries of building tradition. Our Level 2 survey is suitable for conventional properties in reasonable condition, which includes most homes in Duns Tew. However, for the oldest or most significantly altered properties, we may recommend a more detailed Level 3 Building Survey to fully assess their condition. Properties built before 1900 or those that have undergone substantial alterations often benefit from the more comprehensive Level 3 inspection.
The village was designated as a Conservation Area in December 2005 by Cherwell District Council, meaning any significant alterations to properties may require planning permission. Our surveyors understand these constraints and can advise on how survey findings might interact with conservation requirements. If you are considering purchasing a Listed Building, we will recommend the more detailed Level 3 survey and can advise on the specialist assessment such properties often require. Listed Building Consent is required for any works that might affect the building's historic character, and our reports help you understand what you are taking on.
Visit our website or call our team to schedule your RICS Level 2 survey. We'll arrange a convenient date and time for our chartered surveyor to inspect your Duns Tew property. You'll receive a confirmation email with all the details you need, including what to expect on the day and how to prepare the property for inspection.
Our qualified surveyor will visit the property and conduct a thorough visual inspection of all accessible areas. This typically takes 1-3 hours depending on the property size and complexity. We'll examine the roof, walls, floors, damp levels, and key systems throughout the property. In Duns Tew, where many properties are period homes, we pay particular attention to the condition of traditional features and any signs of damp or structural movement.
Within 3-5 working days of the inspection, you'll receive your comprehensive RICS Level 2 survey report. The report includes clear ratings for each area of the property, photographs of any issues found, and practical recommendations for repairs and maintenance. We use the RICS condition rating system (1, 2, and 3) to clearly indicate the severity of any issues discovered.
Once you receive your report, you can review the findings with your solicitor or mortgage lender. If significant issues are identified, you may be able to renegotiate the purchase price or request that the seller address certain defects before completing the sale. Our team is happy to explain any findings in detail if you have questions about the report.
Many properties in Duns Tew are constructed from traditional materials and lack modern damp-proof courses. If damp is identified in your survey, our report will explain the cause and recommend appropriate remedies using breathable materials compatible with the original construction. The Duns Tew Conservation Area Appraisal actively discourages the use of uPVC for windows and doors, so any replacement windows should use traditional materials to maintain the property's character and comply with conservation requirements.
Duns Tew is situated on a geological fault line, creating a diverse foundation environment across the village. To the north of the village, properties sit on Oxfordshire clays including marlstone and Lias clay, which present a shrink-swell risk. This clay geology is a major geohazard in the UK and can cause subsidence or heave as the soil responds to moisture changes. Properties in this area, particularly those with older foundations or near mature trees, may require particular attention during a survey. The Oxford-Cambridge arc, which includes Oxfordshire, is an area at increased risk of subsidence due to climate change and shifting moisture patterns in clay soils.
In contrast, the southern part of Duns Tew sits on the limestone belt, part of the Great Oolite group. Properties in this area are built on Oolitic limestone and sands, providing more stable foundations but potentially presenting different challenges such as potential radon exposure or specific drainage considerations. The presence of Duns Tew Quarry nearby, which supplies soft sand for building and mortar, indicates the sand deposits in the area. Our surveyors assess foundations and ground conditions appropriate to each property's location within the village, noting how the underlying geology might affect the building's performance.
Flood risk is another environmental consideration for certain properties in Duns Tew. While the majority of the village falls within Flood Zone 1 (very low risk), the northernmost area adjacent to Deddington Brook is within Flood Zone 3, indicating high risk of fluvial flooding. Additionally, areas where the slope levels off near the brook show high risk of surface water flooding. If you are purchasing a property in these areas, our survey will flag this and provide guidance on flood resilience measures. A small area of 0.15 hectares within the Hill Farm site also has a low risk of surface water flooding that we note where relevant.
Our experience surveying properties in Duns Tew has identified several recurring issues that buyers should be aware of. Given the high proportion of older properties in the village, damp problems are among the most common findings. Rising damp affects properties without modern damp-proof courses, while penetrating damp can result from defective gutters, damaged roofs, or poor maintenance of the external envelope. Condensation is also prevalent, particularly when modern uPVC windows have been installed in older buildings without adequate ventilation. Signs include tide marks on walls, peeling paint, musty smells, discoloured patches, and mould growth.
Roofing problems are frequently identified in Duns Tew surveys, especially given the prevalence of traditional roof coverings including thatch, stone slate, and Welsh slate. These materials have limited lifespans and require ongoing maintenance. Missing or broken tiles, sagging roof lines, and inadequate insulation are common issues that can lead to water ingress and structural damage if not addressed promptly. Our surveyors closely examine roof spaces where accessible, checking for signs of past leaks, deteriorated battens, and the condition of flashing around chimneys and valleys.
Electrical and plumbing systems in period properties often require upgrading to meet current safety standards. Original wiring and pipework may pose fire risks or contamination concerns. Additionally, timber decay including dry rot and wet rot can affect structural timbers, particularly where damp conditions exist. Our surveyors thoroughly assess these elements and provide clear recommendations for necessary upgrades or repairs. Properties built before the 1970s may also contain asbestos in walls and roofing, which we note where observed or suspected.
Given the clay geology to the north of the village, we also commonly identify signs of subsidence or potential subsidence risk in properties in that area. This includes cracking to walls, uneven floor levels, doors that don't close properly, and signs of movement in the structure. Properties with large trees near the foundations are particularly susceptible, as tree roots can extract moisture from clay soils, causing them to shrink. Our reports clearly identify these concerns and recommend whether further specialist investigation is warranted.
A RICS Level 2 survey in Duns Tew includes a thorough visual inspection of all accessible areas of the property, including the roof, walls, floors, damp levels, and key building services. The surveyor will identify any significant defects, classify them by severity (condition rating 1, 2, or 3), and provide practical recommendations for repairs. The report covers structural issues, damp problems, roofing condition, electrical and plumbing overviews, and environmental risks specific to the Duns Tew area such as flood risk near Deddington Brook and clay-related subsidence in the north of the village. We assess the property's condition against its age and type, providing context that is meaningful for buyers in this historic village.
RICS Level 2 survey fees in Duns Tew start from around £420 for a standard property, with the average cost in Oxfordshire ranging from £450-£750. Properties valued above £750,000 or larger homes may incur higher fees due to increased inspection time and complexity. Given that Duns Tew has an average property price of £578,812 with 88.9% of sales being detached homes, most surveys will fall within the £500-£700 range. Additional services such as a property valuation can be included for an extra cost. The price reflects the thoroughness of the inspection and the experience needed to assess traditional stone-built properties correctly.
Duns Tew contains numerous Listed Buildings, and while a Level 2 survey can be suitable for some listed properties, a Level 3 Building Survey is generally recommended for older, historic homes. The Level 3 provides a more comprehensive assessment of the property's structural condition, historical features, and construction materials. This is particularly important for listed buildings where any works may require Listed Building Consent from Cherwell District Council, and where specialist knowledge of traditional building techniques is essential. Our team can advise on which survey level is most appropriate based on the specific property you are purchasing.
A RICS Level 2 survey in Duns Tew typically takes 1-3 hours to complete, depending on the property size and complexity. Most standard detached homes in the village will require around 2 hours for a thorough inspection, while larger properties or those with annexes may take longer. Our surveyors take time to examine all accessible areas properly, including roof spaces and outbuildings where relevant. Following the inspection, you will receive your detailed report within 3-5 working days, with urgent reports available on request if you are working to tight timescales.
Yes, our surveyors are experienced in identifying damp issues in traditional stone-built properties common throughout Duns Tew. They will use moisture meters and visual indicators to detect rising damp, penetrating damp, and condensation. Given that many Duns Tew properties lack modern damp-proof courses, damp assessment is a key part of the survey. Our report will explain the type of damp present and recommend appropriate remediation using breathable materials suitable for historic buildings. We understand that traditional stone walls are designed to allow moisture to evaporate, and we assess whether modern alterations have compromised this ability.
If our survey identifies significant defects in your Duns Tew property, the report will provide clear condition ratings and recommendations for repairs. You can then discuss these findings with your solicitor or mortgage lender. Depending on the severity of the issues, you may be able to renegotiate the purchase price, request that the seller carry out repairs before completion, or in some cases, withdraw from the purchase if the issues are sufficiently serious. Our reports are designed to give you the information you need to make informed decisions about your property purchase, with clear explanations of what each finding means in practice.
Properties in the northern part of Duns Tew, particularly those adjacent to Deddington Brook, fall within Flood Zone 3, indicating high risk of fluvial flooding. Our survey will flag this if it applies to your property and provide guidance on flood resilience measures. We also note areas where surface water flooding may occur, particularly where the slope levels off near the brook. If you are purchasing in these areas, we recommend checking the long-term flood risk and considering appropriate insurance and resilience measures. Our report provides specific advice tailored to the property's location within the village.
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Professional property surveys by chartered surveyors in Oxfordshire
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Homemove is a trading name of HM Haus Group Ltd (Company No. 13873779, registered in England & Wales). Homemove Mortgages Ltd (Company No. 15947693) is an Appointed Representative of TMG Direct Limited, trading as TMG Mortgage Network, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 786245). Homemove Mortgages Ltd is entered on the FCA Register as an Appointed Representative (FRN 1022429). You can check registrations at NewRegister or by calling 0800 111 6768.
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