RICS Level 2 Survey in IG7

For most conventional residential properties in reasonable condition, where the building has not been significantly altered, we usually recommend a RICS Level 2 survey, previously marketed as a HomeBuyer Report. Our surveyors carry out a methodical visual inspection of all accessible parts of the property, inside and out, and rate each element using the RICS traffic-light condition system.

Each part of the property is given a condition rating. A 1 means no repair is needed, 2 means repair or maintenance is likely to be needed in the near term, and 3 points to a defect needing urgent attention. That gives you a clear order of priorities, whether you need to raise points with your solicitor, negotiate on price, or arrange a further specialist investigation.

• Structural elements: load-bearing walls, floors, ceilings, and roof structure
• Roof covering: tiles, ridge mortar, flashings, fascias, soffits, and rainwater goods
• Damp and moisture: electronic readings at ground floor and external walls
• Windows, doors, and external joinery: condition and security
• Drainage and plumbing: visual inspection, condition of fittings and connections
• Heating and services: age, type, and general condition assessment
• Subsidence indicators: crack patterns, floor levels, and structural distortion
• Environmental risks: flood risk, ground stability, and hazardous materials notes
• Legal section: matters to raise with your solicitor including compliance concerns
• Recommendations for further specialist investigations where appropriate

Every RICS Level 2 survey we issue complies with the RICS Home Survey Standard and is covered by professional indemnity insurance. Once the report has been sent, our surveyor will talk through the findings with you directly, as part of the service we provide as standard.

Housing in IG7 ranges from pre-1919 properties in Chigwell village to post-1980 development, although the biggest share of the stock is made up of 1930s to 1960s suburban brick-built homes. In that age bracket, the same defects come up repeatedly in surveys across the area.

• Subsidence cracking at window and door openings due to London Clay shrink-swell movement
• Cavity wall tie corrosion in properties built between 1945 and 1980, where original steel ties are now rusting and expanding
• Deteriorated roof coverings - cracked, slipped, or porous tiles, and worn ridge mortar requiring repointing
• Flat roof defects on garages, extensions, or lean-to structures: blistering, splits, and pooling water
• Damp penetration through failed pointing in older solid-walled properties or through bridged cavity walls
• Rising damp in ground floor rooms where original damp-proof courses have degraded or been bridged by render
• Outdated consumer units with rewirable fuse holders rather than modern miniature circuit breakers and RCD protection
• Aging single-skin or solid-walled extensions added in the 1970s or 1980s without full building regulation compliance
• Lead or cast iron drainage runs showing age-related deterioration or root intrusion in older properties
• Timber decay in window frames, fascias, and sub-floor ventilation areas in poorly maintained homes

That does not automatically make them deal-breakers. Still, at IG7 price levels, it is important to know what is there, how serious it is, and what the likely remediation cost will be before you commit.