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RICS Home Surveys Advice

Our RICS Home Survey Advice page is here to guide you through the key aspects of property surveys. Explore our articles to learn what a survey involves, understand common findings, and gain practical tips to help you make informed decisions about your home.
Who organises a survey when buying a house

Who organises a survey when buying a house

Wondering who organises a survey when buying a house? A chartered surveyor explains that it is the buyer's responsibility, not the estate agent's or lender's, plus when to arrange it
Do I need a Survey when buying a house

Do I need a Survey when buying a house?

A chartered surveyor explains whether you need a survey when buying a house, why a mortgage valuation is not enough, and how to choose between a RICS Home Survey Level
legal-process-buying-house

The Legal Process of Buying a House: A Plain-English Guide

A plain-English guide to the legal process of buying a house, including buying and selling at once, choosing a solicitor, and new build pitfalls.
Risks of Buying a House Without a Survey

Risks of Buying a House Without a Survey

Buying without a survey might seem like a way to save money, but it can leave you exposed to significant costs and problems you had no way of seeing coming.
Survey vs Mortgage Valuation

Survey vs Mortgage Valuation — What’s the Difference?

A mortgage valuation and a property survey are not the same thing. Here's what each covers, who it protects, and what buyers need to know before committing.
New Build Snagging Survey

New Build Snagging Survey: What It Is and What to Do Instead Before You Buy

A new build snagging survey checks a newly completed home for defects before or after you move in. Here's what it covers, what it typically finds, and what independent survey
RICS Condition Ratings Explained

RICS Condition Ratings Explained

Your RICS survey report gives every element a Condition Rating of 1, 2, 3 or NI. Here's what each one means and what to do when you see it.
process of selling a house

The Process of Selling a House in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide

Selling a house in England or Wales involves a number of different steps, from preparing the property for the market through to exchanging contracts and completing the sale. Each stage

Flat-style graphic of an orange house with a magnifying glass over a window, surrounded by blue arrows and bar graphs symbolising improved home survey standards.

Raising the Standard: Why UK Home Surveys Need to Change

Across the UK property sector, the quality of home surveys varies dramatically—and for many buyers, that inconsistency leads to frustration, confusion, and in some cases, a complete loss of confidence.