RICS Level 2 Survey Sheldwich

Our RICS Level 2 Survey covers a careful visual inspection of every accessible part of the property. We check the walls, roof, floors, doors and windows for damage, decay and any structural movement that could affect the building’s integrity. Our surveyors use specialist equipment, including moisture meters and torch inspection, to look at areas that are not immediately visible. We photograph and record each element in the final report.

In Sheldwich, a lot of homes were built before 1919 and still show traditional Kentish construction, so we look closely at brickwork, ragstone and flint walls, along with any timber framing found in older buildings. Pointing gets particular attention because mortar between bricks and stones often weathers away faster than the masonry itself in buildings of this age. That matters especially near Sheldwich Court and along the village’s historic lanes, where these older building methods were commonly used.

Damp testing forms part of the survey, using moisture meters, alongside checks to timber for woodworm or rot and an assessment of the roof covering, including tiles, slates, flashing and chimneys. We also inspect the property’s services, electrics, plumbing and heating, and note any work that does not comply with current regulations. In accessible areas, we pay close attention to consumer units, visible wiring types and whether earthing is present.

• Wall condition and structural movement
• Roof, chimneys, and rainwater goods
• Damp and timber inspection
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Windows, doors, and joinery
• Grounds and drainage

Beneath Sheldwich, the local geology brings some specific risks. Clay soils here can shrink and swell, leading to subsidence or heave where properties have shallow foundations, particularly if mature trees are close by. We inspect the grounds for signs of historic or current movement and recommend further investigation where needed. Typical clues include cracking patterns, doors that do not close properly and floors that have settled unevenly over time.

Homes within the Sheldwich Conservation Area, covering the historic core around St James's Church and Sheldwich Court, usually need a closer look. Older buildings can conceal defects that are not obvious at first glance, and alterations carried out over the years may fall short of current building regulations. Our inspectors are used to spotting issues linked to period homes and listed buildings. We also recognise that work completed decades ago may not have needed the same building regulations approval expected today, and we note that clearly in our reports.

Some parts of Sheldwich can be affected by surface water flooding, especially lower spots or places where drainage struggles after heavy rainfall. The village’s position in the Kent Downs generally means a low risk from river or coastal flooding, but we still note any concerns and review the property’s drainage arrangements. That includes checking gutters, downspouts and any land drainage around the boundaries.

Being close to the Kent Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty gives many properties open rural views, though it can also mean neighbouring agricultural activity or boundaries running directly against farmland. As part of our inspection, we consider issues that can come with that setting, including the condition of boundary walls and any access rights affecting agricultural land where relevant.

• Clay soil subsidence risk
• Conservation Area considerations
• Surface water flood risk
• Period property defects
• Listed building compliance

From our work across the Sheldwich area, a few issues come up time and again, and our Level 2 Survey is built to spot them. Rising damp is common in older homes with solid walls, especially where the original damp proof course has failed or was never there in the first place. We see this a lot in cottages along the village lanes, where external ground levels have crept up over decades of maintenance and road resurfacing. Our moisture meters help us judge the scale of damp penetration and whether remedial work is likely to be needed.

Penetrating damp is another regular problem, particularly on walls facing the prevailing winds where pointing has worn away over time. In older Sheldwich properties, traditional lime mortar pointing can weather badly in the Kent climate. West and south-west facing elevations usually show the greatest wear, so we check those carefully on every inspection. We also look at render finishes, since cracked or detached render can trap moisture against the wall beneath.

Roof defects show up frequently in Sheldwich homes, not least because much of the housing stock is older. We often find slipped or broken tiles, failing lead flashing around chimneys and decayed roof timbers. Left alone, these problems can lead to water ingress and expensive repairs. A good number of village properties still have original clay tile or slate roofs that are now close to, or beyond, their expected lifespan, and we flag any deterioration that needs attention.

Sheldwich still has many properties with original electrical wiring and plumbing from the mid-20th century or earlier. Those systems often fall short of current regulations and can create safety concerns. We regularly come across dated consumer units without RCD protection, older rubber-insulated cabling, and galvanised steel or lead water pipes that ought to be replaced. Our survey points these out and recommends further inspection and upgrade work by qualified electricians and plumbers before you complete the purchase.

• Rising and penetrating damp
• Roof tile damage and flashing failures
• Outdated electrical systems
• Original plumbing and heating
• Timber decay and woodworm
• Poor insulation in solid walls