A surveyor does not have to be chartered to carry out a home survey. RICS licenses Levels 1, 2 and 3 to AssocRICS, MRICS and FRICS members alike. What matters is experience.
Level 2 or Level 3: Which Survey Does a 1930s Semi Need?
It’s one of the questions we’re asked most in London and the home counties. A 1930s semi looks solid and familiar — but it sits right on the line where a HomeBuyer Report starts to fall short. Here’s how to decide with confidence. If you’re buying a 1930s semi-detached house, you’ve almost certainly reached the moment every buyer reaches: the …
Court of Protection Valuations and Surveys: A Guide for Deputies and Attorneys
When someone loses the mental capacity to manage their own affairs, the person acting for them — a deputy appointed by the Court of Protection, or an attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney — frequently needs an independent RICS valuation before dealing with that person’s home, and sometimes a home survey as well. Both exist to do the same …
HS2 & the Need to Sell Scheme: why you can choose who values your home
Affected by HS2 and struggling to sell? The government’s Need to Sell scheme buys eligible homes at 100% of their unblighted value — and the valuation is where it’s decided. Crucially, you don’t have to use HS2’s panel: you can appoint your own RICS-registered surveyor for one of the two required valuations, at no cost to you. Here’s how the …
Party Wall Surveyors Explained: Notices, Awards and Who Pays
A party wall surveyor protects your property and your legal position whenever building work happens on or near a shared boundary. The framework is set by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996, which gives owners the right to carry out certain works while protecting their neighbours from damage. Whether you are planning the work yourself or a notice has just …
Your home survey found problems: what to do next (and how to renegotiate)
By Dan Knowles FRICS, Managing Director and Registered Valuer, Websters Surveyors Your survey has come back, it isn’t all clean, and you’re staring at a list of issues wondering whether to renegotiate, fix things, or walk away. First, don’t panic. Almost no home is perfect, and a survey full of observations is normal, not a disaster. The job now is …
Seller surveys and the Home Buying and Selling Reform: more work for surveyors, but will quality survive?
By Dan Knowles FRICS, Managing Director and Registered Valuer, Websters Surveyors The government wants to overhaul how we buy and sell homes in England and Wales, and one idea keeps coming back to the table: surveys paid for by the seller, prepared before a buyer has even made an offer. As a residential surveyor, the prospect of more instructions should …
Budget 2025 – what it means for the property market
On 26th November 2025, the Chancellor of the Exchequer stood at the dispatch box to reveal the budget, only an hour and a half before the Office for Budget Responsibility did the irresponsible thing of accidentally publishing budget detail on their website. They may have been first in line to publish the exact detail but a series of leaks and …
What Happens During a Home Survey? Step-by-Step Guide for Buyers
By Dan Knowles FRICS, Managing Director and Registered Valuer, Websters Surveyors A home survey is an independent inspection of a property’s condition, carried out by a qualified surveyor before you’re legally committed to buying. If you’ve never had one, the process can feel a little opaque: who turns up, what they actually do, how long it takes, and what lands …
Damp vs. Condensation: What we’re looking for in a Home Survey
Damp and condensation can look identical on a wall — the same peeling paint, the same black mould, the same musty smell — but they are two different problems with two different fixes. Condensation is moisture from inside the home settling on cold surfaces, usually solved by better ventilation. Damp is water getting in from outside or the ground, which …
Leasehold Reform in the Courts: The Latest on Marriage Value, Capitalisation, and Deferment Rates
The landscape of leasehold reform is shifting rapidly, with significant legal challenges currently affecting key proposals—particularly the abolition of marriage value and the government’s plans to set capitalisation and deferment rates. For flat owners, freeholders, and professionals alike, understanding these developments is vital for making informed decisions. What’s at Stake? Current Legal Challenges Both proposals are facing legal challenges in …
How to choose the right Surveyor: 8 Questions to Ask Before you instruct
Choosing a surveyor is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when buying, selling, or managing a property. A good surveyor doesn’t just provide a report—they offer peace of mind, confidence, and guidance through what can be a complex process. Here are eight essential questions to ask before you instruct a surveyor, plus why Websters Surveyors stands out in …