RICS Level 2 Survey in Chichester

A RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Report is a visual inspection of the accessible parts of the property. Our surveyors look at the roof covering, chimneys, gutters, walls, windows, ceilings, floors, loft areas where they can be reached, and the visible parts of heating, plumbing and electrics without lifting carpets or moving furniture. In Chichester, that often means a close look at the junctions where later alterations meet older fabric, especially in homes off the city centre where flint walls and brick repairs can sit side by side.

The report uses RICS condition ratings, the familiar traffic-light style that helps you sort routine maintenance from urgent action. Condition 1 means no repair is needed right now, Condition 2 points to something that needs attention, and Condition 3 highlights a defect that needs repair or further specialist investigation. A terrace near the Cathedral might come back with a Condition 2 note on repointing, while a roof leak or a suspicious crack could be rated Condition 3 if it needs proper follow-up.

What the Level 2 does not do matters just as much. We do not carry out destructive opening-up, we do not test services, and we do not lift floors or carpets to chase hidden defects. If you are buying a listed house in the conservation area, a heavily altered property, or a home with obvious structural issues, a Level 3 Building Survey is normally the better fit because it goes deeper into construction, causes of defects and repair options. That is why a newer house at Shopwyke Lakes may suit a Level 2, while a converted or older property near the walls often needs more than a standard homebuyer report.

• Accessible roof spaces
• Visible walls, ceilings and floors
• Visible rainwater goods and drainage features
• Service points that can be seen without testing

Chichester's built form is not simple, and that is exactly why local knowledge matters. The city has Georgian townhouses in its conservation area, the Norman-built Chichester Cathedral, Roman-built cross streets and city walls that still shape how some homes sit and how repairs are approached. If a property is listed, or if the building history is unclear because of later alterations, a Level 3 survey is usually the safer route because the extra depth helps with older fabric and more complicated construction.

The housing stock ranges from medieval timber-framed buildings to post-war estates and modern developments, with the University of Chichester adding another layer to the local market. Education is the most popular industry in the area, and that has helped support a wide spread of homes, from compact flats to detached properties and extended family houses. We see that variety in practice, whether the instruction comes from a flat in the PO19 area, a house near Graylingwell Park or a newer home in Shopwyke Lakes where build quality still needs checking.

Geology and exposure matter too. Flint is readily available in the south of West Sussex, and the Harwich Formation Siltstone outcrops on the foreshore in Chichester and Langstone Harbours, so our surveyors keep an eye on cracking, movement and weathering where the building form and ground conditions may be working against each other. Chichester's closeness to the harbour side and West Wittering Beach can also mean harsher wind and salt exposure for external joinery, while the River Lavant means drainage and water behaviour deserve a proper look before you exchange. We do not assume subsidence or shrink-swell risk without evidence, but we do check carefully where visible cracks, damp or historical repairs point to a deeper issue.

• Listed buildings usually need Level 3
• Harbour-side exposure can speed up weathering
• New-build homes still need snagging checks
• Flint walls and later extensions can hide movement