RICS Level 2 Survey in Camber | From £400

Our RICS Level 2 Survey, formerly called a HomeBuyer Report, gives a careful inspection of the main accessible parts of a property. We look over walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows, along with the roof space where it is safe and accessible, plus damp proofing, insulation and drainage systems. In Camber, with so many homes close to the coast, we pay close attention to salt erosion, moisture penetration and corrosion to metal fixtures, as the marine environment can speed all of that up.

You'll get a clear condition assessment set out with a simple traffic light system, red for urgent repairs needing immediate attention, amber for defects to negotiate before completion, and green for elements in satisfactory condition. We also include market value and reinstatement cost assessments, both important for checking you are not overpaying and that your buildings insurance is adequate. That matters even more in Camber, where recent price corrections have been sharp, with some streets showing decreases of over 60% from their peak.

In Camber, flood risk is never far from the picture, so we stay alert to threats from rivers, the sea and groundwater. Even where the immediate risk looks low on a particular day, the low-lying setting of Romney Marsh and the long-term issue of coastal erosion make drainage and flood resilience key points. We check for signs of previous flooding, water staining, damp proofing measures, and the state of any flood barriers or defences already in place. The Broomhill Sands coastal defence scheme protects approximately 1,300 homes, but we still judge each property on its own merits.

We also inspect the property's electrical systems, plumbing and heating infrastructure as part of the RICS Level 2 Survey. Older Camber homes can include traditional materials such as flint, sandstone and lime mortar, so the state of aging wiring and plumbing deserves close attention. Our surveyors flag outdated consumer units, poor earthing and older pipework where upgrading may be needed.

• Walls and foundations
• Roof and chimneys
• Damp and moisture
• Electrical systems
• Plumbing and drainage
• Windows and doors
• Thermal elements and insulation
• External joinery

Flood risk is a major issue for buyers in Camber, which sits on the low-lying Romney Marsh where much of the land is at or below sea level. The long-term exposure comes from several directions, rivers, the sea, surface water and groundwater. There has been substantial coastal defence work along Camber Sands, especially on the eastern third of the beach, to improve sea defences and protect the wider area. Those works were needed because of unsustainable groynes and an unacceptable flood risk affecting the low-lying marshland.

Between Camber and Jury's Gap, the Broomhill Sands coastal defence scheme protects approximately 1,300 homes and over 100 businesses. It has raised the level of protection from a 1-in-20-year event to a 1-in-200-year event, with predicted sea level rises taken into account. The works include new rock revetments, wave walls, extra shingle on the beach and replacement timber groynes. Even so, the Camber Village Supplementary Planning Document makes clear that flood risk regulations still create obstacles for new housing development in the area.

We check for signs of past flooding, water damage and the state of any flood resilience measures already in place. Drainage matters too, particularly in an area with high groundwater levels and clay soils that can slow water movement. Old Lydd Road has a history of flooding, and our surveyors know which spots may be more exposed to surface water flooding during heavy rainfall. That drainage review is especially important because clay and silt deposits under much of the surrounding area can restrict water movement and trigger localised flooding.

Buying in Camber usually means looking hard at flood resilience features. Raised electrical sockets, waterproof ground floor finishes and any flood barriers can all make a difference. We note those details during the survey and, where needed, recommend practical improvements. We also inspect any existing flood defence structures that may fall to the property owner to maintain, including retaining walls or drainage systems.

Across Camber and the wider East Sussex area, construction methods and materials vary in ways that reflect both local geology and long building traditions. Camber Castle is a good local example, built from yellow and grey sandstone and brick, showing the materials available in the area. Knowing how those traditional materials behave is central to judging the condition of older properties properly.

Traditional East Sussex building stone often means flint cobbles and pebbles, sometimes laid to course and sometimes used decoratively, and they appear all along the coastline. Historically, these were gathered from beaches and downland fields, giving many older local buildings their distinctive look. We are used to assessing flintwork, from decaying pointing to places where structural integrity may be weakening. Wealden Sandstone, including Ashdown Sandstone and Tunbridge Wells Sand, is another common material here, usually seen as coursed rubble stone or roughly cut blocks.

For newer buildings and extensions in Camber, oak framing has become a popular option in East Sussex because of its durability and traditional look. Brick is still widely used, and some buildings also have external render. Roof coverings commonly include plain clay tiles and Welsh slate. During the survey we check these elements for damaged or missing tiles, signs of weathering, and the condition of ridge tiles and flashings.

Camber's housing stock covers a broad age range. According to 2021 Census data, the majority, 84.8%, are whole houses or bungalows. That means we may be inspecting anything from a period cottage to a modern development, and each type needs a different approach. We take account of the fact that older homes were often built to different standards and with different materials from modern ones, and we adjust our inspection to pick up issues linked to that construction era.