Do You Need a RICS Qualified Surveyor to Sell a House?

Selling a house can sometimes present a minefield of complications. One minute the sale is proceeding, the next it collapses. Sometimes you have multiple viewings for your property; others, few to none. Add to the mix the variety of legalities you must comply with, and sometimes you might wish that you hadn’t decided to sell. One such obstacle to overcome is the survey.

Luckily, as a seller, the survey isn’t something you need to worry about too much. You have no obligation to appoint a RICS-qualified surveyor when you sell a house, and neither does the buyer. In fact, you can avoid a survey altogether if you wish.

That being said, a survey is highly recommended, especially for the buyer. In this blog, we’ll explain why and what it means for the seller.

What is a RICS survey?

A RICS survey, or RICS Home Survey, is an inspection of a property that is carried out by a RICS-certified surveyor. They provide an in-depth report detailing the condition of the property, any problems that may require fixing and whether there are any outstanding planning issues with the home.

What does RICS stand for?

RICS is the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, and only RICS members can conduct the surveys that carry the name. The surveyors carrying membership of RICS must carry out their home inspections following the RICS Home Survey Standard.

Is there a legal requirement to have a RICS survey when I sell my house?

No, not at all. There is no legal obligation for you to conduct a RICS survey when you sell your house, but it can be a good idea. If you have a survey conducted, the buyer will likely feel more confident in going ahead with the purchase. If you are reluctant to proceed with a survey, it could well be that they pull out or look to offer substantially lower than your asking price, allowing them to cover any costs they may have to face.

Even if you don’t book a RICS survey, the buyer will more than likely organise their own. Just keep in mind that if you choose not to have a survey, and the buyer does, anything you were hoping to keep covered up will likely be exposed. Therefore, it’s best to remain transparent at all times.

What types of RICS Home Surveys are there?

The type of property you own will determine which kind of survey is best for you. At present, there are three types of surveys available. To help avoid confusion, speak to any RICS member before you sell your home to see which survey level would be best for your home.

RICS Level 1 Home Survey

The Level 1 Home survey was previously known as a “Condition Report”. Think of it as the entry level survey – it is used on newer homes and is typically cheaper than the other surveys available. It will check for defects in the home, but won’t provide advice on how to remedy them. If your home is a new build and in good condition, this would normally be the survey you’d go for.

RICS Level 2 Home Survey

You’d choose the Level 2 Home Survey, previously known as the Home Buyer Report, if your home is a conventional property in reasonable condition and has a standard layout. The surveyor will be a little more thorough and provide more detailed information about the home. It will give an outline of potential repairs and any maintenance that may be required.

This survey can come in two parts if preferred. You can opt for just the survey, or have the survey with a valuation and insurance reinstatement included.

RICS Level 3 Home Survey

The Level 3 Home Survey is the most in-depth of the three RICS surveys available. It provides a deep dive into the condition of the home and advises on any repairs and maintenance that may be needed. This is the most common survey option when the property is relatively large compared to the general market, it is fairly old, run down, or has had specific or unusual alterations made to it.

How much will a RICS survey cost me when I sell my house?

If you have chosen to have a RICS survey conducted to help you sell your house, you’ll need a good idea of the price before you book one in. The difference in price between a Level 1 Home Survey and a Level 3 Home Survey can be substantial.

Level 1 Surveys can cost just a few hundred pounds, but once you reach Level 3, you could easily be looking at a few thousand pounds for a survey to be conducted.  Much depends on the property itself, as well as:

• Travel costs for the appointed surveyor
• Any business costs they accrue for the survey
• The time it takes to conduct the survey

When should I have a RICS survey conducted?

If you wish to organise the survey yourself, you should consider booking it in as soon as you’ve accepted an offer. This way, you give the buyer ample time to review the survey and renegotiate the price should they feel this is necessary.

Just remember, a buyer may wish for a survey to be conducted even if you have already had one completed.

Will the results of my RICS survey expire?

Not really. The period in which your survey is conducted is close to when the buyer completes on the home, so unless something major happens (such as a structural defect or a fire), you don’t have to worry about it expiring. Should your home have changed in any way since the survey, though, it would be best to book in a new survey. That way, you remain open and honest with the buyer. It is also worth noting that the valuation provided by the RICS surveyor has an expiry of three months.

How do I find a RICS surveyor?

If you’d like to book a RICS surveyor when you sell your home, you should use the specialist website that lists all RICS members. From there, you can start to collate a list of those you may wish to use and compare their prices.

How long will it take to sell my house after a RICS survey?

It depends. If the survey uncovered a host of problems, it will take much longer to sell your house than you may have hoped. Some buyers might want the issues fixed before they proceed, some might reduce their offer, and some might even walk away. If there are no issues or the buyer has no problem with the issues uncovered, then the sale process continues as it normally would.

If you are concerned about the survey, or have had expensive quotes for the repairs after a survey was conducted, you might be thinking you are selling an unsellable house. That’s understandable, and that is why Bettermove is here. We sell your house fast, without question. Our streamlined process means we either find you a buyer within thirty days or buy it ourselves in a time frame that suits you.