RICS Level 2 Survey in Slinfold

A RICS Level 2 Survey, formerly known as the HomeBuyer Report, provides a thorough inspection of a property's visible condition and highlights any significant issues that might affect its value or safety. Our inspectors examine all accessible areas of the property, including the roof, walls, windows, doors, plumbing, electrical systems, and damp proofing. In Slinfold, where we see a mix of older Victorian properties alongside more modern homes from the 1970s and later, this comprehensive approach helps identify issues that are common to different construction eras.

The survey includes a detailed assessment of the property's condition rated on a traffic light system, with red indicating serious issues requiring urgent attention, amber for defects that need negotiating or budgeting for, and green for satisfactory condition. We also provide market value and reinstatement cost assessments, which are essential for mortgage lenders and insurance purposes. For properties in Slinfold's semi-rural setting, our surveyors pay particular attention to elements like septic tanks, private drainage, and rural heating systems that may not be present in urban properties.

Slinfold's housing stock includes some notable older properties, including former rectories with classical architecture along Worthing Road and period features in Victorian homes throughout the village. We also see 17th-century annexes and characterful cottages that require additional scrutiny for issues such as damp, timber decay, outdated electrical systems, and the condition of historic roof structures. Our surveyors have experience assessing these older buildings and understand the building methods and materials typical of different periods, from traditional brick and timber construction to more modern approaches used in 1970s architect-designed houses.

One aspect that our Slinfold surveyors particularly focus on is the rural and semi-rural nature of many properties in the area. Many homes rely on oil heating rather than mains gas, have private water supplies or boreholes, and use septic tanks or treatment plants instead of mains drainage. These systems require specific knowledge to assess properly, and our inspectors understand the maintenance requirements and legal obligations associated with them. When we identify these features, we provide clear guidance on what you need to know before completing your purchase.

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Condition ratings for key building elements
• Market value and reinstatement cost assessment
• Advice on urgent and significant defects
• Guidance on legal issues and energy efficiency

Properties in Slinfold span several decades of construction, from Victorian-era houses to homes built in the 1970s and more recent developments. This variety means that different types of defects are commonly encountered. Victorian and Edwardian properties, which make up a significant portion of the older housing stock around the village centre, often suffer from issues related to their age, including penetrating damp due to failed or missing damp proof courses, deteriorating roof coverings with loose or missing tiles, and outdated electrical wiring that may not meet current regulations. We frequently find that original Victorian-era electrics have been updated piecemeal over the years, resulting in a mixture of old and new wiring that can be difficult to assess without proper inspection.

Properties built in the 1970s, such as the architect-designed houses from that era that can be found throughout Slinfold, often have their own set of characteristic issues. These may include problems with concrete construction elements that can suffer from carbonation and reinforcement corrosion, early double glazing that may be failing and difficult to replace, and heating systems that are nearing or have exceeded their expected useful life. Our surveyors understand these common issues and know what to look for when inspecting properties from different construction periods. We have found that many 1970s properties in the area still have their original heating systems, which may be inefficient or require replacement.

The semi-rural nature of Slinfold also means that properties may have features not typically found in urban areas. These can include large gardens with trees near the property, which may affect foundations through root growth or soil moisture variation, septic tanks requiring regular maintenance and periodic emptying, and oil or LPG heating systems that require annual servicing and tank replacement considerations. Our Level 2 Survey identifies these features and highlights any associated maintenance requirements or potential issues that you should be aware of before purchasing. We have inspected many properties along the rural lanes surrounding Slinfold where these considerations are particularly relevant.

Another issue that we commonly encounter in Slinfold properties is related to the conversion of traditional buildings. We see barn conversions and other period properties that have been converted into residential use, sometimes many years ago. These conversions can have issues with the quality of the original work, the adequacy of insulation, and the compatibility of modern building elements with traditional construction. Our surveyors know what to look for in these converted properties and can identify issues that might not be apparent to a buyer without professional experience in assessing converted buildings.

• Damp and condensation in period properties
• Roof condition and age of covering materials
• Electrical safety and consumer unit standards
• Tree proximity and foundation concerns
• Private drainage and septic systems
• Heating system condition and age
• Quality of barn conversions and period property renovations