Home Survey

RICS Survey level 1, also known as the Condition Report

This report format is recommended for relatively new and conventional properties.

Survey level 1 gives a snap-shot assessment of the condition of a property, without any advice. Like the other RICS surveys, it is based on a thorough visual inspection, but in this case it focuses purely on the condition of the property.

The report uses a traffic light colour coding system to rate individual elements of the property. It provides a plain English, jargon-free report with the main aim of advising on any aspects that require urgent attention, any serious faults or areas of costly ongoing maintenance.

RICS Survey level 1 aims to provide advice on the following issues and will focus on the following:

  • The construction and condition of the property on the date it was inspected
  • Any defects that need urgent attention or are serious
  • Things that need further investigation to prevent serious damage to the fabric of the building
  • Defects or issues, which may be hazardous to safety and where further enquiries are needed.
  • Aims to show up potential issues and defects, before any transaction takes place
  • Includes the standard visual inspection on the building components and a summary of risks to the condition of the building and any legal issues.
  • The condition of boundary walls, fences, permanent outbuildings and areas in common (shared) use.

Survey level 1, about the inspection and limitations:

  • The surveyor inspects the inside and outside of the main building and all permanent outbuildings, recording the construction and significant visible defects that are evident.
  • The surveyor does not force or open up the fabric of the building. This includes taking up fitted floor coverings or floorboards; moving heavy furniture; removing the contents of cupboards, roof spaces, etc.; removing secured panels and/or hatches; undoing electrical fittings or lifting insulation material, stored goods or other contents.
  • We will inspect the surfaces of exposed floors but will not lift carpets, floor coverings or floorboards, or move furniture. The RICS member will not lift hatches or carry out an ‘inverted head and shoulders’ inspection. The RICS member will assess floors for excessive deflection by a ‘heel-drop’ test.
  • The surveyor will visually inspect the parts of the roof structure and other features that can be seen from the access hatch.
  • The covers to the inspection chambers of underground drains are not lifted.
  • The surveyor inspects the condition of boundary walls, fences, permanent outbuildings and areas in common (shared) use.
  • The surveyor does not make any enquiries about contamination or other environmental dangers. If the surveyor suspects a problem, they should recommend further investigation.
  • The RICS Home Survey – level 1 report does not include advice on repairs or ongoing maintenance issues.
  • If the surveyor has seen the current EPC, they will review and state the relevant energy efficiency rating in this report.
Quick Enquiry