RICS Level 2 Survey in Challock

Our RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey gives you a detailed visual inspection of every accessible part of the property. In Challock, where much of the housing stock is older, we look closely for familiar trouble spots such as damp penetration, the state of the roof, and any structural movement. That covers walls, floors, ceilings, doors and windows, as well as external elements like gutters, fascias and chimneys. We work through the accessible areas methodically and record each part using the RICS condition rating system.

Because Challock sits on Cretaceous chalk with clay soils above it, our surveyors keep a close eye out for subsidence and other forms of ground movement. Clay-rich ground here can show shrink-swell behaviour, especially in dry spells or after heavy rainfall, and that can affect foundations. We check for cracking to walls, sloping or uneven floors, and other signs of structural stress that may point to foundation trouble. This matters even more where large trees are close to the building, as roots can take moisture from the soil and worsen movement.

Quite a few homes in Challock date from before 1919 and were built in traditional brick, so we know the sort of defects that often come with them. Our surveyors check for missing or ineffective damp-proof courses, older electrical wiring that may go back to the mid-20th century, and wear or failure in original timber windows and doors. In the village, some older homes also have solid floors instead of suspended timber floors, and those can be prone to dampness, so they need careful assessment. If we find any of these issues, our report sets them out clearly so you can plan repairs or renovation works properly.

Newer homes also benefit from a proper survey, including properties at The Paddocks on Buck Street. A recent build can still have construction defects, snagging problems, or faults that came about during the build itself. Our surveyors know what to look for in new-build homes, from air source heat pump installation issues to poor insulation and defects in modern window systems. Whatever the age of the property, the Level 2 survey gives a professional view of the condition of your investment.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof covering and gutters
• Damp and timber condition
• Plumbing and electrical visible areas
• Windows and doors
• Chimneys and flues
• Garage and outbuildings
• Boundary walls and fences

Challock has a long history stretching back to AD823, and its housing stock still shows that heritage. A large share of the village's homes were built before 1919 using traditional brick construction, and those properties often need a closer look. Our Level 2 survey is especially useful here because age-related wear and tear, older building materials, and historic defects are not always obvious to an untrained eye. Many of these houses have solid walls rather than cavity walls, which can make them more vulnerable to dampness and may call for specific thought around insulation and energy efficiency.

Recent years have brought new development to the village, including The Paddocks on Buck Street, where modern three and four-bedroom detached homes are available from £700,000. Built by Clarendon Homes, the development includes features such as air source heat pumps and electric car chargers, in line with modern construction standards. Even so, a new-build is not automatically free of faults. We have found issues in recently built homes across Kent, from poor window installations to roofing defects, so a survey still has real value.

Set within the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Challock includes properties where heritage and history may affect the way a purchase should be assessed. The village has several listed buildings, among them the Grade II* Great Paddock Farmhouse and Laurenden Forstal Nine Chimneys, along with the Grade II listed Rattle Hall and the parish church of St Cosmas and St Damian. If you are looking at a listed property, our RICS Level 2 survey will point out any obvious concerns, although it may also be worth discussing additional specialist surveys with our team. Older listed buildings often need a more careful approach because of both their age and the need to preserve original features, and in some cases a RICS Level 3 Building Survey may be the better fit.

At the junction of the A251 and A252, Challock is well placed for commuters heading towards Ashford International Station. That has helped keep demand up for family homes, especially detached houses, which average over £621,000. Prices are high enough that some local people are priced out of homes in the parish, and the village has also seen some recent price adjustment. If you are buying as a family home or as an investment, understanding the condition of the property is still essential, and our survey gives you the detail needed to move forward with confidence.