RICS Level 2 Survey in Sileby

A RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey, once called the Homebuyer Survey and Valuation, is made for properties in conventional condition. Our chartered surveyors in Sileby carry out a detailed visual inspection of all accessible parts of the home, from the roof space, where safe and accessible, to the walls, floors, windows, doors, and the main structural elements. We also look at the key services, electricity, gas, water, and drainage, testing where possible and flagging any obvious defects or areas that need specialist attention. Top to bottom, inside and out, we give you a clear picture of the property’s current condition.

Sileby’s housing stock is varied, from older homes built in the Victorian industrial period to brand new properties on recent developments, and that means our surveyors are used to spotting issues that are specific to each type. In older properties around Barrow Road and the conservation area, we pay close attention to damp, roof condition, and the state of traditional brickwork. Many of these Victorian cottages were largely rebuilt in the mid-19th century and still show the brick facades that define much of the village’s historic housing. We know the defects that often turn up in these buildings, deteriorating lime mortar pointing, ageing roof structures, and electrical installations that may be well past current safety expectations.

The Level 2 survey also comes with a market valuation and an insurance rebuild cost estimate, both of which can be useful when sorting out a mortgage and buildings insurance. Our surveyor gives each element a straightforward condition rating, Condition Rating 1, 2, or 3, so it is easy to see what needs quick action and what can wait. That valuation matters in the current Sileby market, where home.co.uk data shows prices were 6% down on the previous year and 9% down on the 2022 peak of £275,391. An independent, up-to-date valuation helps you judge whether the asking price is fair.

• Visual inspection of all accessible areas
• Roof space and loft insulation assessment
• Damp and timber decay testing
• Electrical and gas service checks
• Market valuation and rebuild cost estimate
• Clear condition rating system

Sileby brings together older housing stock and newer developments, so buyers really do benefit from professional survey advice that is rooted in the local area. The village expanded a great deal during the Victorian industrial era, and many former factory sites have since been turned into residential streets. Properties from that time are full of character, but they can hide problems that only a trained eye will spot, ageing roof structures, outdated electrical systems, and damp issues in solid wall construction. Many were originally built as workers’ cottages for the local hosiery and shoe factories that once drove the local economy, and although they have often been well cared for, they still carry the usual challenges that come with homes of this age.

The geology around Sileby brings another point for buyers to think about. The village sits on boulder clay uplands, and the clay content in the soil can be linked to shrink-swell ground movement. That can lead to subsidence, especially in older houses with shallower foundations, which were common when these homes were first built. Our surveyors are trained to spot signs of structural movement, cracking patterns, and other clues that may suggest foundation problems needing further investigation. Homes near mature trees can be especially vulnerable to clay shrinkage, as tree roots draw moisture from the ground during dry periods.

For buyers looking at the new developments in Sileby, such as the upcoming Sileby Green development by David Wilson Homes on Cossington Road or the Vistry Group site on Barnards Drive where 228 family homes are being constructed using modern timber frame methods, a Level 2 survey can still provide valuable reassurance. New build properties are usually in better shape than older homes, but even modern houses can come with snagging issues that builders may be slow to address without a nudge. Our independent survey gives you the detail needed to speak to developers if defects are found, whether it is a poorly fitted window, inadequate insulation, or a timber frame defect that is not obvious at first glance.

Sileby’s conservation area, designated by Charnwood Borough Council in 1988, covers a small area to the west of the railway and includes notable listed buildings such as the Church of St Mary (Grade II*), the Free Trade Inn Public House, and various properties on Barrow Road, Cossington Road, and Little Church Lane. If you are thinking about buying a listed building or a property within the conservation area, our team can advise whether a more detailed RICS Level 3 Building Survey might be the better fit, as these older properties often need closer inspection because of their historic construction methods and the requirements tied to keeping their character.