RICS Level 2 Survey in Bishop Monkton

The Level 2 survey gives a proper inspection of all accessible parts of the property, including the roof space where safe access is possible, walls, floors, windows, doors, and permanent outbuildings. Our surveyor looks at the condition of each element and picks out any defects, classing them by severity, from urgent matters needing immediate attention to minor issues that may just need watching. The report uses clear ratings, Condition Rating 1 means no repair is currently needed, Condition Rating 2 means repairs are needed but are not urgent, and Condition Rating 3 points to serious defects requiring urgent repair.

For Bishop Monkton properties, our inspectors give extra attention to the issues that turn up time and again in the village’s older housing stock. Many homes here date from the mid-1800s or earlier, and some listed buildings go back to the C17 and C18 centuries. That often means solid-walled construction with no modern damp-proof course, tired roof structures, and electrical or plumbing systems that have long since passed their best. We are trained to spot the kinds of deterioration seen in coursed squared limestone and random bond brickwork, both of which are common locally. We also check for failing stonework, damaged ashlar dressings, and the condition of traditional pantile roofs that define so many period homes.

Alongside that, the Level 2 survey includes a market valuation and an insurance rebuild cost assessment. Because Bishop Monkton sits in a flood risk area along the Bishop Monkton Beck, and the village’s water infrastructure dates from the early 1900s, our surveyors can point out any flood-related concerns tied to the property’s location. The report also draws attention to anything that could affect future saleability or mortgageability, including compliance issues with listed building regulations if you are looking at one of the village’s 13 Grade II protected properties.

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Defect diagnosis and severity ratings
• Market valuation and rebuild cost
• Advice on repairs and maintenance
• Energy efficiency assessment (optional)

Bishop Monkton brings a few factors that buyers should weigh up before booking a survey. The village saw serious flooding in December 2023, when torrential rain caused Bishop Monkton Beck to burst its banks and affected properties along Beckside through the village centre. As new developments add to surface water runoff, and with drainage infrastructure dating from the 1900s, flood risk is still a real issue in some spots. Our surveyors look for visible signs of previous water damage and talk through the property’s flood exposure. We also note concerns that the surface and foul water systems may be close to capacity during heavy rainfall.

The main building materials in Bishop Monkton are coursed squared limestone with ashlar dressings, random bond brick, and rendered walls with pantile roofs. Many older homes have solid walls without cavity insulation, which can lead to damp problems, especially in properties built before modern damp-proof courses became standard. Our inspectors are trained to pick up the signs of both penetrating damp and rising damp, both of which are common in the village’s older stock. We also look at the underlying geology, since clay-rich soils can trigger subsidence movement in older properties, particularly where the foundations are shallow.

For buyers looking at the new Church View development by Kebbell Homes on Knaresborough Road, or the 58-home development recently approved at the Moor Road/Knaresborough Road junction, a Level 2 survey is still a useful step. Newer homes are less likely to have the age-related issues seen in older properties, but the survey can still uncover construction defects, snagging problems, or faults that have come out of the building process. New builds in the area are expected to complete from early 2027 onwards. Even brand-new homes can hide issues that only a trained eye will spot, such as poor insulation in wall cavities, badly installed damp-proof courses, or problems with window and door installations.

• Flood risk from Bishop Monkton Beck
• Age-related defects in period properties
• Solid-walled construction and damp issues
• Listed building considerations
• New build construction quality