RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey in Lazonby

Lazonby is a village with significant historical character, featuring eleven Grade II listed buildings including the Church of St Nicholas, various farmhouses, and Eden Bridge. Many properties in the area are constructed using the distinctive Lazonby sandstone, which gives the village its characteristic red hue. While these older properties possess considerable charm and character, they often come with specific maintenance requirements that only an experienced surveyor can identify. Our team understands how traditional sandstone construction behaves over time and what to look for in properties that may be one hundred years old or more.

The local geology around Lazonby, bordered by the River Eden to the east, creates specific considerations for property buyers. Some sites in the village fall within flood zone 3, and the masterplan for recent developments like The Meadows by Story Homes has been designed to direct rainwater runoff towards Harrow Beck using Sustainable Drainage Systems. When we inspect properties near the river or in areas with known flood risk, we pay particular attention to drainage, damp proofing, and signs of previous water damage that might not be visible to the untrained eye.

The village has seen new development in recent years, including the Wakefield Gardens development by Genesis Homes which has now sold out, and the ongoing The Meadows development offering 48 new homes including affordable housing options. Whether you are purchasing a brand new property or a traditional cottage built from local sandstone, our surveyors provide the detailed assessment you need to proceed with confidence.

Properties in Lazonby face particular challenges related to their age and construction. Many older buildings were constructed before modern building regulations and may lack adequate insulation, have outdated electrical systems, or require updates to heating systems. Our surveyors check for these issues systematically, providing you with a clear picture of what work may be needed both now and in the coming years.

• Traditional sandstone properties
• New build homes
• Listed buildings
• Properties near River Eden
• Semi-detached and terraced houses
• Detached family homes

The Lazonby housing market offers a variety of property types, each with its own characteristics and potential issues. Detached properties, which dominate the local market with an average price of £428,958, often provide spacious accommodation but may have larger roof areas and more external walls that require maintenance. These properties are popular with families but can incur higher heating costs due to their size, and our surveyors check the condition of roofs, gutters, and external render carefully. Many detached properties in the area also have large gardens that require ongoing maintenance, and we note any boundary or access issues that may affect your enjoyment of the property.

Semi-detached properties in Lazonby average around £244,250 and represent a significant portion of the available housing stock. These properties share structural walls with their neighbours, which can sometimes lead to issues with sound transmission, shared damp proof courses, and the condition of shared drainage. Our surveyors examine these shared elements carefully and note any issues that might affect your enjoyment of the property or require ongoing maintenance agreements with neighbours. We also check for any signs of movement that might indicate structural issues affecting one or both properties.

Terraced properties, typically around £100,000 in Lazonby, often represent the most affordable entry point to the local property market. These older properties may have been built using traditional methods and materials, including the local sandstone, and may require more ongoing maintenance than newer builds. Our detailed assessment identifies any structural concerns, outdated electrical systems, or plumbing issues that might not be apparent during a casual viewing. Many terraced properties in the village also have cellars or underfloor spaces that can be prone to damp, and we check these areas thoroughly during our inspection.

The age of properties in Lazonby varies significantly, with many buildings dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The village's history as an agricultural community means many original farm buildings have been converted into residential properties, offering characterful homes but potentially requiring more maintenance than modern constructions. Our surveyors understand these different property types and can identify issues specific to each category, whether you are considering a converted barn or a more recent new build property.

The Meadows development by Story Homes, situated off Scaur Lane to the south of Lazonby, represents the latest addition to the village's housing stock. This 48-home development includes a mix of semi-detached, detached, terraced properties, and bungalows, with six homes designated as affordable housing. While new builds come with the benefit of modern building regulations and warranties, they are not immune to defects, and a RICS Level 2 Survey can identify any issues with the construction quality, snagging items, or problems that may not be covered by the new build warranty.

Even in new properties, our surveyors check the quality of workmanship, the installation of windows and doors, the effectiveness of damp proofing and insulation, and the proper operation of heating systems and controls. We have seen numerous cases where new build properties have hidden defects that only become apparent after you move in, and having an independent survey before completion gives you leverage to require the developer to address these issues. The Story Homes development has been designed with Sustainable Drainage Systems to manage surface water, and we check that these systems are properly installed and functioning during our inspection.

Properties at The Meadows feature modern construction methods including brick and render elevations, different from the traditional sandstone that characterises much of the village. While these newer properties benefit from modern building regulations, our surveyors still examine the quality of construction, checking for issues such as inadequate insulation in walls or roof spaces, poorly fitted windows and doors, and any signs of water penetration. The new build warranty provided with these properties typically covers major structural issues, but may not address smaller defects that become apparent over time, making our independent assessment valuable.

Wakefield Gardens by Genesis Homes has now sold out, but properties from this development may appear on the resale market. These homes were built with brick and render elevations and include a mix of 2, 3, 4, and 5-bedroom houses as well as 2-bedroom bungalows. If you are purchasing a resale property from this development, our survey can identify any issues that may have arisen since the original construction and ensure that any warranty claims are supported by professional documentation.

Lazonby's character is defined by its rich heritage, with the village dating back to the 12th century and featuring eleven Grade II listed buildings throughout the civil parish. The Church of St Nicholas, rebuilt in 1864-66 using local red sandstone and calciferous sandstone with a greenslate roof, stands as a prominent feature of the village. Properties in Lazonby that are listed or within the conservation area require specialist consideration during our survey, as alterations and repairs must comply with specific regulations that affect what work can be carried out.

The traditional drystone walls that characterize the village boundaries and fields are constructed from Lazonby sandstone, giving the area its distinctive appearance. When surveying properties with these features, our team checks the condition of any retaining walls or garden walls that may be the responsibility of the property owner. The age of these walls means they may require ongoing maintenance to prevent deterioration, and we note any areas of concern in our report.

Eden Bridge, another Grade II listed structure in the village, crosses the River Eden and represents the traditional engineering that characterizes the area. Properties near the river or in low-lying areas require particular attention during our inspection, as flood risk is a genuine consideration for buyers. The River Eden runs along the north-eastern side of the parish, and properties in this vicinity may have experienced flooding in the past, which we investigate during our survey.