RICS Level 2 Survey in Steyning

A RICS Level 2 Survey gives a close visual inspection of all accessible parts of a potential property, looking at the condition of the main elements, including walls, roofs, foundations, and services. Our surveyors work from top to bottom, checking roof spaces where they can be reached, looking for movement or damp in external walls, and assessing windows, doors, and joinery. The report uses clear condition ratings from "Green" for no urgent issues through to "Red" for urgent defects requiring immediate attention, so you can see exactly what you are buying.

Steyning has a large stock of older homes, so our surveyors pay particular attention to the issues that often turn up in historic properties. We look for damp, including rising, penetrating, and condensation, timber defects such as rot and woodworm infestation, and the state of traditional roofing materials like Horsham slabs and clay peg tiles. We also check electrical wiring and plumbing, which may still be original in houses built before modern regulations. In the Steyning Conservation Area, we note any visible matters that could affect the building's character or mean listed building consent is needed for future alterations.

We also consider the environmental factors around Steyning that may have a bearing on the property. Our inspectors look at the chance of subsidence linked to the local Gault Clay geology, check flood risk awareness in homes near the River Adur valley, and review the condition of drainage systems. Where defects are found, we set out practical guidance, including recommended remedial work and estimated costs, so you have something solid to use if you need to negotiate with the seller.

Integral appliances are inspected too, with functionality tested where it is safe to do so and any visible defects in kitchen equipment, heating systems, and hot water installations noted. We look at boundaries, outbuildings, and shared areas as well, which gives a fuller picture of the property's overall state. In properties with large gardens or grounds, we also record any trees that could affect structures through root systems or subsidence, something that matters more in an area with clay soil conditions.

• Structural walls and foundations
• Roof condition and insulation
• Damp and timber decay assessment
• Electrical and plumbing overview
• Drainage and drainage systems
• Conservation Area considerations

Steyning's built environment has its own character, and our surveyors know it well. The town contains a distinctive mix of timber-framed buildings from the Tudor and Stuart periods, Victorian and Edwardian terraces, and newer developments. Roofing often includes Horsham slabs and clay peg tiles, while 19th-century properties commonly have slate. Brick and rendered elevations are widespread, and some homes use flint, which is typical of West Sussex villages. Our surveyors recognise these materials and understand the upkeep each one needs.

The local geology brings its own points to watch. Steyning sits on Gault Clay deposits, which carry a shrink-swell risk that can affect foundations, especially during drought or after heavy rainfall. Properties in the Adur valley also need flood considerations, with areas near the River Adur at risk of both fluvial and tidal flooding. Most of Steyning has very low to low surface water flood risk, although low-lying homes may need a closer look. Our surveyors note these environmental factors and suggest suitable action where it is needed.

The Steyning Conservation Area designation means many properties come with extra issues to think about before any future alterations. With 109 listed buildings within the Conservation Area, including properties at Grade I and Grade II*, any work on historic structures needs careful handling. Our Level 2 surveys flag properties that may need a more detailed investigation, and we suggest specialist conservation advice for buildings of significant historic interest. That gives you a clearer view not just of the current condition, but of the future duties and possibilities attached to the property.

The recent Land North of Glebe Farm development by Vistry Homes marks a notable stretch of new housing growth in Steyning, with 265 new homes split between affordable and market housing. New-build properties do benefit from modern building regulations and construction standards, but they still need a professional inspection to pick up defects a buyer may not spot. Our surveyors are used to finding common new-build issues such as unfinished snagging items, poor sealing around windows, and possible problems with the sustainable drainage systems (SUDS) used on modern developments.