RICS Level 2 Survey in Husbands Bosworth

Our RICS Level 2 Home Survey gives a detailed look at the property's condition, with attention on the main structural elements and any significant issues that could affect value or safety. We inspect every accessible part of the property, including the roof space, where it is safe and accessible, plus walls, floors, windows, doors, and permanent fixtures. Because the survey is carried out to RICS standards, you get the same professional assessment wherever you are in the country.

Husbands Bosworth has over 50% of properties as detached houses, and a significant proportion were built before 1919, so our inspectors keep a close eye on age-related concerns. We look for damp in solid-wall construction, check traditional slate and tile roofs, and assess timber for rot or woodworm. The report uses a clear traffic light rating system, so urgent matters stand out from minor cosmetic issues.

Environmental factors in the area also form part of the survey. With the local geology of Boulder Clay and underlying Lias Group formations, we assess foundations and subsidence risk specifically. Our inspectors understand the shrink-swell behaviour of clay soils and the effect it can have on properties with shallow foundations, especially in drought or after heavy rainfall. We also pick up flooding risks, particularly near Welford Road and the stream that runs through the village, where surface water flooding can happen.

As part of our standard inspection, we look at visible electrical installations, plumbing, and heating systems. Where properties were built before the 1980s, and these account for a significant slice of the local housing stock, we pay extra attention to outdated consumer units, older wiring layouts, and legacy plumbing materials that may no longer meet current regulations. Any visible concern that needs a closer look from a qualified electrician or plumber will be flagged by our surveyors.

• Structural walls, foundations, and floors
• Roof structure, coverings, and insulation
• Damp assessment and moisture detection
• Electrical and plumbing visible conditions
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Boundary walls, outbuildings, and grounds

Husbands Bosworth offers a broad mix of homes, and each type calls for a surveyor with the right experience. Detached properties make up 50.2% of homes, semi-detached 26.6%, terraced houses 14.1%, and flats the remaining 9.1%. With that spread, anyone buying a Georgian farmhouse or a modern apartment needs someone who understands the pressures each construction type can bring.

Parts of the village sit within the designated Conservation Area, which covers much of the historic centre, and those homes need a particularly careful approach. Many are built from traditional red brick or local stone, often with lime mortar pointing, so they have different needs from modern cement-based mortars. The Grade I listed Church of St Mary, along with numerous Grade II listed properties across the village, are buildings where repairs and alterations must follow strict conservation rules.

The geology beneath the village brings its own issues. Boulder Clay deposits dominate the superficial geology and have moderate to high shrink-swell potential, so foundations may shift as soil moisture changes through the seasons. That matters most for shallow foundations, buildings put up before modern building regulations, and homes with large trees in the garden. Our inspectors are trained to spot the subtle clues, including cracking patterns that suggest subsidence or heave.

For buyers looking at the newer developments in the village, The Langtons and The Spinney off Welford Road, we bring know-how in modern construction methods. These Davidsons Homes schemes use contemporary cavity wall construction, modern roof trusses, and contemporary damp-proof courses. Newer homes usually throw up fewer problems, but our surveyors still check for common snagging items, test whether build quality is up to expectation, and see that installations work as they should.

Husbands Bosworth has a mix of construction ages and types, and each tends to show its own familiar defects. Homes built before 1919, especially those in the Conservation Area around the historic centre, often come with age-related issues. Traditional solid-wall construction gives plenty of character, but without modern damp-proof courses it can mean rising damp appears more often. Older lime mortar can also break down over time, which allows penetrating damp to get in.

Roofing is another area where problems regularly show up in the village. Many older homes still have slate or clay tile roofs that are durable, but they do eventually need maintenance or replacement. Our inspectors often find worn leadwork around chimneys, damaged flashings, and gutters that have deteriorated. Properties over 50 years old may have original roof structures that have been patched several times rather than properly renewed, and loft insulation is often poor in older homes.

The local geology brings specific concerns for property owners. Boulder Clay under much of Husbands Bosworth has moderate to high shrink-swell potential, so foundations can move a little as soil moisture levels change. That is especially relevant for homes with shallow foundations, or those with large trees nearby, particularly in the mature gardens common to the area. Our surveyors are trained to recognise the subtle signs of movement, including cracking patterns and sticking doors or windows.

On newer homes, especially the Langtons and Spinney developments by Davidsons Homes, we assess the quality of modern construction methods, from cavity wall insulation to modern roof trusses and contemporary damp-proof courses. New builds usually have fewer issues, but snagging items and minor defects can still crop up in recently built homes. We also look for less obvious matters, such as poor roof-space ventilation or problems with window seals.

Older properties often need a close look at electrical and plumbing systems. Homes built before the 1980s frequently still have outdated electrical consumer units, old rubber or cloth-covered wiring, and galvanised steel plumbing that may be nearing the end of its serviceable life. Our survey records the visible condition of these installations and, where needed, recommends further checks by qualified specialists. Properties built before 2000 may also contain asbestos-containing materials, which our inspectors will note if they are identified during the survey.