RICS Level 2 Survey in Selling, Kent

For a RICS Level 2 Survey in Selling, we inspect the accessible parts of the property, from the roof, walls and floors through to windows, doors, plumbing and electrical installations. Each element is assessed for condition and graded from “good” through to “urgent repairs needed”, so the priorities are clear. We also include a market valuation, useful in a Kent market where prices have shifted over the past year, along with insurance reinstatement figures and a comparison with similar homes around Selling to put any defects into proper context.

In Selling, our surveyors are especially alert to the defects that turn up again and again in the local housing stock. Many homes were built before 1945, with traditional materials and methods that need careful reading. We look for damp in older brick-built houses, inspect roof coverings and timbers, and review extensions or alterations added over time. Because Victorian and inter-war properties are so common across the ME13 area, our surveyors know the usual weak spots for those ages of building.

Your report uses clear, colour-coded condition ratings, so you can see quickly what needs action now and what can wait. It also sets out the insurance reinstatement figure and explains how the property sits against comparable homes in Selling. That can be useful when asking the seller to deal with repairs, or when seeking a price reduction for defects found during the survey. The aim is simple, to give you a practical document that tells you what you are buying.

• Roof structure and covering
• Wall construction and condition
• Damp and timber assessment
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Plumbing and electrical overview
• Market valuation

After surveying homes across Selling and the ME13 postcode area, we know the patterns. Victorian and Edwardian terraces, which account for a notable part of the local stock, often show rising damp where modern damp-proof courses are missing, bridged or have failed. Penetrating damp is another frequent finding, especially where roof coverings are ageing or external pointing has broken down. Solid wall construction, typical of these period houses, does not give the same moisture resistance as newer cavity wall construction.

Roofs account for many of the defects we find in Selling. Traditional slate and clay tile coverings can last well, but they still need maintenance. Slipped tiles, failing lead flashing around chimneys, decayed timber rafters and worn felting are common findings, and all can lead to water getting into the building if left. We also look closely at chimney stacks, a familiar feature on Victorian homes in the area. Kent winters can be hard on exposed roof details.

In older Selling properties, electrical and plumbing systems may be original in part, or replaced some years ago and now nearing the end of their useful life. We visually inspect the consumer unit, visible wiring and plumbing, looking for safety concerns and signs that upgrades may be needed. We do not test every circuit or pipe, but we do flag installations that appear outdated or unlikely to meet current standards, so you can bring in a qualified electrician or plumber before exchange. This matters where legacy rubber or cloth-covered wiring may still be present, as it can create a fire risk.

The construction history of Kent is easy to see in Selling, with homes ranging from early Victorian terraces to modern detached houses. Many period properties here are built with solid brick walls and lime mortar rather than modern cement. That form of construction allows the building to breathe, but it needs different maintenance from a cavity wall house. Our surveyors know how traditional materials behave, and what defects tend to follow when they are repaired with the wrong products.

Across the Faversham area, inter-war semi-detached properties make up a substantial share of the housing stock. They were commonly built with cavity walls, but may still have timber framed windows set into solid brick reveals. Concrete tile roofs, decorative timber fascias and soffits are also common, and those external timbers can rot if paintwork or rainwater goods have been neglected. We work through these elements methodically during the inspection.

Many Selling homes have suspended timber floors at ground level, a standard approach until the mid-twentieth century. They can ventilate well, but damp, poor airflow and damaged or absent damp proof membranes may leave joists and boards vulnerable to rot or insect attack. Our surveyors probe accessible timbers where appropriate and record any areas that may need further investigation or repair. Those local construction quirks are one reason a generic report is not enough.

Selling is a smaller village, but it sits within the Swale district of Kent, an area with a strong stock of historic buildings and heritage assets. Nearby Faversham is known for its listed structures, especially along Abbey Street, and it is highly probable that Selling itself includes listed buildings and homes within conservation areas. Our surveyors are used to assessing older properties and understand the extra responsibilities that can come with owning a listed building or a home in a conservation area. We can point out visible issues that may affect heritage matters and suggest appropriate next steps.

Buying a listed property in or near Selling brings extra checks. Certain repairs and alterations may need listed building consent from the local authority. Our RICS Level 2 Survey will flag obvious issues linked to heritage status, although we usually advise buyers of listed homes to consider a more detailed RICS Level 3 Building Survey, which gives a fuller assessment of construction, materials and condition. That is particularly important with Kent’s older buildings, where lime mortar, solid walls and timber frames often need specialist care. Mistakes can be expensive, so the added survey cost is often justified.

Conservation area properties can also be affected by planning restrictions controlling changes to the building or the land around it. During the survey, we note visible alterations or extensions that may have been carried out without the right permissions. That gives you a clearer sense of possible compliance risks before you proceed. In places such as Selling, those controls help protect the village’s historic appearance.