RICS Level 2 Survey in North Kesteven

Our RICS Level 2 Survey provides a thorough inspection of the property's accessible areas, assessing the overall condition and identifying any urgent defects or issues that may require attention. The survey includes a detailed examination of the walls, roof, floors, doors, windows, and other key structural elements. We check for signs of damp, timber defects, structural movement, and issues with the property's insulation and drainage systems. Each section of the report is colour-coded to help you quickly identify the severity of any problems, from critical defects requiring immediate attention to recommendations for future maintenance.

In North Kesteven, where many properties were built using traditional Lincolnshire brick and limestone construction, our surveyors pay particular attention to the unique characteristics of local housing stock. Properties in villages such as Leasingham and Heckington often feature older construction methods that may not meet modern building standards, and our reports highlight any areas where this could impact your enjoyment of the property or require future investment. We also assess the property's exposure to environmental risks, including flood risk areas near the River Slea and its tributaries, which is particularly relevant for properties in lower-lying parts of the district.

The survey also includes an independent market valuation and a rebuilding cost for insurance purposes, though you should not rely on this for mortgage lending. Our experienced surveyors will visually assess all accessible parts of the property, including the roof space where accessible, the sub-floor area if applicable, and the exterior of the building. We use a traffic light rating system in our reports: red indicates urgent issues requiring immediate attention, amber highlights defects that should be addressed in due course, and green denotes satisfactory condition.

• Wall condition and structural integrity
• Roof covering and flashing
• Damp and moisture assessment
• Timber condition and pest infestation
• Electrical and plumbing overview
• Energy performance rating review

The diverse housing stock in North Kesteven means that our surveyors regularly encounter a range of issues specific to the area. Damp problems are particularly prevalent in older properties, especially those built before modern damp-proof courses were standard practice. Properties constructed with solid walls, common in traditional Lincolnshire brick homes, are more susceptible to rising damp and penetrating damp, particularly where external ground levels have risen over time or where pointing has deteriorated. Our inspectors use moisture meters and thermal imaging equipment to identify damp issues that may not be visible to the untrained eye.

Roof condition is another area where we frequently identify issues, particularly on older properties with original slate or clay tile roofs. Worn pointing, slipped tiles, deteriorated felt, and rot in rafters and joists are common findings. Given the age of much of the housing stock in villages throughout North Kesteven, we also commonly report on outdated electrical installations that do not meet current regulations, old plumbing systems using galvanised steel or lead pipes, and inefficient heating systems that may require replacement. Properties built before the 1980s often have significant electrical safety concerns that require immediate attention.

The geological conditions in parts of North Kesteven, particularly areas with significant clay deposits, mean that subsidence risk is a consideration for some properties. Our surveyors assess the foundations for signs of movement, check the proximity of trees and vegetation, and evaluate the effectiveness of drainage systems. Where surface water or fluvial flood risk is present, such as properties near watercourses in the River Slea corridor, we include specific recommendations about flood resilience and any history of flooding that may be relevant to your decision. Properties in low-lying areas near the river should have particular attention paid to drainage and flood mitigation measures.

North Kesteven's rural character means that some properties may also be affected by agricultural activities, former farm buildings, or nearby commercial operations. Our surveyors will note any potential environmental concerns that could affect the property, including past land uses that may have resulted in contamination. We also assess the adequacy of septic tank systems in properties not connected to mains drainage, which is particularly relevant in the more rural villages throughout the district.

Your RICS Level 2 Survey report is designed to be clear and easy to understand, even if you have no previous experience with property surveys. Each section of the property is given a rating: red for urgent issues requiring immediate attention, amber for defects that need attention but are not urgent, and green for satisfactory condition. The report also includes an overall condition rating for the property, giving you a quick reference point when reviewing the full document. This rating system follows RICS standards and is consistent across all surveyors, giving you confidence in the assessment.

Our reports go beyond simply listing problems; they explain what each issue means in practical terms and provide guidance on the likely cause and the potential consequences if left unaddressed. For properties in North Kesteven, this might include explaining how clay soil conditions could contribute to foundation movement, or how the age of the property's electrical installation might affect your home insurance requirements. We also provide practical recommendations, from simple maintenance tasks that you could carry out yourself to specialist investigations that should be undertaken by qualified professionals. This helps you understand not just what is wrong, but what to do about it.

The report includes a section on legal considerations that you should be aware of, including any discrepancies between the property as described and the legal title, or any planning permission or building regulation issues that may affect the property. This information is valuable for your conveyancing solicitor and helps ensure that you are fully aware of any legal implications before you commit to the purchase. We will also flag any conservation area restrictions or listed building status that may affect your ability to carry out alterations in the future.