The popular Homebuyer Survey Report (also known as a Level 2 RICS Survey) is a visual, non-invasive property inspection performed by a qualified surveyor.
Essentially, it is a shorter version of an RICS Building Survey, but it is more detailed and comprehensive than a Mortgage Valuation or an RICS Condition Report.
The Homebuyer Survey Report includes:
A non-intrusive survey means that the surveyor only inspects what is visible and accessible. Unless otherwise agreed, all surveys are non-intrusive and the survey report will advise if more detailed investigation is necessary.
A surveyor carrying out a non-invasive Homebuyer Survey Report will not:
The surveyor will inspect all major indoor and outdoor features.
This is an excellent option for most modern homes and for older homes that are in decent shape and haven't undergone significant remodelling.
The Homebuyer Survey Report will check:
If you want to take out a mortgage, you need to get a Mortgage Valuation. This is an initial check of the property's value to help the lender determine exactly how much money they will need to lend you.
Homebuyer Survey Reports are an optional step in the property buying process and are for the buyer's benefit because they help find and document any issues with a property. After all, you don't want to find out that there are major issues like damp or serious structural problems after buying the property.
It's important to remember that the Mortgage Valuation benefits the lender and the Homebuyer Survey Report benefits the buyer.
A Building Survey (RICS Level 3) is significantly more comprehensive than a Homebuyer Survey Report (RICS Level 2) and provides you with a much more detailed assessment of the condition of your property.
It is best to use a Homebuyer Survey Report for properties that:
A Building Survey is generally better for properties that:
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) is the leading, international, professional organisation dedicated to promoting and regulating chartered surveyors. RICS qualifications and membership ensure the highest level of professionalism and quality reporting.
Surveyors regulated by RICS are required to have professional indemnity insurance, which helps protect the buyer if the surveyor fails to detect a problem that later becomes an issue.
When compared with the price of a property, many people think that the cost of the survey is worth it.
The RICS Homebuyer Survey Report will:
In addition, it may even save you money by providing the evidence you need to negotiate a lower asking price. You might even reconsider buying the property altogether.
If you have applied for a mortgage to purchase a property you can (but don’t have to) request a Homebuyer Survey Report through your mortgage lender. They will generally instruct their preferred surveying company or individual to carry out the survey at the same time as a Mortgage Valuation.
Having both inspections done at once can be a cost-effective option.
Alternatively, you can approach a surveying company or individual surveyor to do the survey for you. The surveyor will liaise with the seller or selling agent to arrange access to the property.
Nb You can also request an Open Market Valuation to be included in this survey, but this is just for information and is not a Mortgage Valuation. Your mortgage lender will still need to carry out a Mortgage Valuation.
A Homebuyer Survey Report inspection usually takes around 1-2 hours to complete, depending on the size and type of property.
The surveyor may use a damp meter, binoculars and a torch. A ladder may be used for flat roofs and hatches that are no more than 3 metres above level ground (outside), or floor surfaces (inside), if it is safe to do so.
It may take anything from 24 hours to a week for the report to reach you.
The report uses Condition Ratings - a “traffic light” system - to highlight issues that need to be addressed, in order of urgency:
Red: urgent attention needed
Amber: attention needed but not urgent
Green: no repair needed
NI: not inspected
Importantly, the Homebuyer Survey Report incorporates a section entitled “Risks” which details issues that may constitute a risk to the property (e.g. structural movement, nearby trees etc), or to people (e.g. lack of safety glass in doors, visibly unsafe electrics etc).
View a sample Homebuyer Survey Report
Costs will depend upon the type of property and its purchase price – which is often determined by location.
As a rough guide, a Homebuyer Survey Report on a property valued at up to £400,000 can cost between approximately £400 and £500 (as of June 2021).
Your lender can usually recommend a qualified surveyor, solicitor or estate agent. If you’re combining a Mortgage Valuation with a Homebuyer Survey Report, then you’ll have to use a surveyor from the mortgage lender’s approved panel.
As mentioned above, you should ensure that your surveyor is a member of a recognised governing body such as the Residential Property Surveyors Association (RPSA) or Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
RICS - www.rics.org
Really Moving- https://www.reallymoving.com/surveyors/guides/what-type-of-survey-do-i-need
"We recently had a Level 2 Home Buyer Survey conducted. At the Camsure office, we dealt with Amber who was incredibly helpful and prompt with replies to emails. Mat conducted our survey and was thorough and send over the findings within 48 hours. I had a swift and enjoyable experience with the team."
Jamie Body - Jun 15, 2021
"Excellent service. The Homebuyer report was extremely thorough and quickly delivered. I was also impressed that they were happy to discuss the findings even 3 months after the survey taking place to address our concerns. I highly recommend their services. "
Anna Ku May 27, 2021
Home Buyer Reports, Help to Buy Valuations & Building Surveys
Camsure Home Surveys covers the counties of Essex, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk and Suffolk.
Our RICS accredited surveyor operates in Cambridge, Norwich, Ipswich, Felixstowe, Harwich, Chelmsford, Colchester, Stansted, Stevenage, Hemel Hempstead, Watford, Hatfield, Bishop Stortford, Newmarket, Bury St Edmunds, Huntington and Peterborough.
Camsure Home Surveys cover many counties and cities including Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey, Oxfordshire, East and West Sussex.
Our RICS accredited surveyor operates in Oxford, Aylesbury, High Wickham, Portsmouth, Winchester, Reading, Maidenhead, Brighton, Dartford, Canterbury, Folkstone and Dover.
Camsure Home Surveys cover most of Devon and Cornwall including Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Dorset.
Our RICS accredited surveyor operates in Bristol, Swindon, Bristol, Bath, Poole, Weymouth, Exeter, Plymouth, Barnstable and Newquay.
Camsure Home Surveys cover Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and most of Lincolnshire.
Our RICS accredited surveyor operates in Lincoln, Boston, Nottingham, Leicester, Rugby, Northampton,Derby, Stoke on Trent, Shrewsbury, Birmingham, Hereford, Worcester and Stratford upon Avon
Camsure Home Surveys cover South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Our RICS accredited surveyor operates in Norfolk York, Leeds Bradford, Kingston, Grimsby, Sheffield and Scarborough
Camsure Home Surveys cover Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and County Durham.
Our RICS accredited surveyor operates in Sunderland, Berwick upon Tweed, Newcastle upon Tyne and the Cathedral City of Durham. Towns include Tyneside, Gateshead, Stockton on Tees, Darlington, Redcar and Cleveland.
Camsure Home Surveys cover Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Cumbria and the Isle of Man.
Our RICS accredited surveyor operates in Manchester, Crewe, Liverpool, Chester, Preston, Blackpool, Lancaster and Carlisle.
Camsure Home Surveys cover towns including Cardiff, Newport, Swansea, Bangor, Saint Asaph, Welshpool and St Davids.