RICS Level 2 Survey in Nonington

Nonington’s village centre has a striking range of property types, and each one needs a proper inspection. Around Church Street and Easole Street, the historic core is packed with listed buildings built in traditional ways, with timber frame, red brick with blue diaper patterns, flint and weatherboarding all appearing in the older stock. Many of these homes do not have modern damp-proof courses, so rising damp and moisture-related problems are common enough for our inspectors to check for on every survey. Southdown Cottage, a 13th-century Grade II* listed building, is a good example of the plaster panel and timber frame construction seen so often here, and it takes specialist knowledge to assess it properly.

Old Malthouse Green is a very different proposition. Roma Homes has built 27 high-specification properties there, with prices from £1,025,000 to £1,100,000, and our inspection focus changes accordingly. These modern builds come with contemporary construction methods, enhanced ceiling heights, underfloor heating and premium landscaping, but we still look closely at windows, doors, roofing and mechanical systems. New homes can still pick up defects from rushed build programmes or poor material quality. Our surveyors have inspected several properties at this development, so we know the garage layouts and the communal garden areas as well as the homes themselves.

Kent’s geology brings its own set of problems for owners. The county sits in a key area affected by clay formations that are vulnerable to shrink-swell subsidence, especially in hotter, drier summers. Nonington’s chalk geology, which was historically excavated for lime burning, sits alongside clay deposits and creates complex ground conditions that can affect foundations. Our surveyors look closely at foundations, walls and ground-level conditions for signs of movement or possible subsidence. Large trees planted close to shallow foundations deserve particular attention too, because root systems can make ground movement worse. With climate change expected to bring more extreme weather events, this kind of risk assessment matters more and more for buyers in the area.

Nonington’s proximity to the former Snowdown Colliery, which operated from 1912 until 1987, adds another layer to the checks we make. The colliery was in the wider area rather than in Nonington itself, but East Kent’s mining past means our surveyors still pay close attention to ground stability indicators during inspections. We check for signs of mine workings, ground disturbance and structural movement that could be linked to historical mining activity, so you get a full picture of the property’s structural integrity.

• Timber frame deterioration
• Rising damp in period properties
• Roof condition and tile integrity
• Foundation and subsidence signs
• Electrical safety compliance
• Drainage and gutter systems

Your RICS Level 2 survey report does more than list defects. It gives a clear view of the property’s overall condition using straightforward ratings, with Condition Rating 1 meaning no repair is currently needed, Condition Rating 2 meaning repairs are needed but not urgent, and Condition Rating 3 flagging serious issues that need urgent attention. That structure helps you decide what needs doing first and gives you room to negotiate with sellers if major repairs are on the table. The report also includes a clear summary section that draws out the key findings, so the condition of the property is easy to grasp at a glance.

For Nonington properties, our reports focus on the risks that come with the local geology and the way homes here are built. We advise on keeping lime mortar in period properties, managing moisture in timber-framed buildings, and watching for subsidence where Kent’s shrink-swell clay soil conditions are at play. Our inspectors have found plenty of homes with foundation movement linked to tree root activity, particularly where mature trees sit close to the building. The report also picks out recent changes that could affect value or need planning permission, which matters even more in the village’s three conservation areas where alterations are more tightly controlled.

Just as important, the survey gives you the confidence to make an informed choice. In a village where property prices range from around £180,000 for flats to over £1 million for new detached homes at Old Malthouse Green, knowing exactly what you are buying helps avoid expensive surprises later on. If serious defects are discovered, you can ask for a price reduction or request that the seller sorts the issues before completion. Our reports include estimated costs for recommended repairs, which makes budgeting easier once you move in. That is especially useful for period properties, where maintenance can cost more than for modern homes.

The Level 2 survey also covers environmental points that matter in Nonington. The village itself is inland, roughly midway between Dover and Canterbury, but we still include the wider flood risk considerations that apply across East Kent. Drainage conditions, gutter systems and ground levels are checked for signs of water accumulation that could affect the property. We also assess energy efficiency and give guidance on insulation improvements, which is particularly relevant for older homes that may not meet modern insulation standards.