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

Selling a house can be a slow process and one filled with a host of legal hurdles to navigate. Quite often, one of the most common things to slow down any sale is a survey. With surveyors spotting defects with properties, and then compiling a report to disclose their findings, it can take substantial time for the surveyor to complete their job.

It may be surprising to know that you do not need a RICS-qualified surveyor to sell a house, in fact, there is no legal requirement for a survey to be carried out at all for either the buyer or the seller.

However, a RICS survey is highly recommended for buyers to give them added reassurance that the home they’re considering purchasing is safe and sound.

What is a RICS survey?

A RICS Home Survey is an inspection and report which is carried out on a property by specially certified surveyors. RICS (also known as the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) surveyors will take a detailed look at a property and check whether it is structurally sound, has any specific defects that require attention or whether there are any planning issues with the home.

Various levels of survey can be conducted with Level One being the basic (yet still thorough) survey and Level Three being the most comprehensive.

Is it a legal requirement to have a RICS survey when you sell a house?

No, it is not a legal requirement to have a RICS survey when you sell a house. It isn’t a legal requirement to have any survey conducted when you sell a property, but it is highly recommended that a survey is conducted if you want a sale to happen. If a buyer learns that you are not keen on a survey, they may be more likely to walk away altogether or submit a significantly lower offer to help cover any costs they may have to bear in the future.

Typically, the survey will be arranged by the buyer, and it would be wise to let them proceed. You can organise a RICS survey yourself if you wish, so that any buyer can see the results, although it is likely they would still like to conduct their own.

How much does it cost to have a RICS survey?

The cost of your survey by a RICS-qualified surveyor will depend on the level of survey required. A Level 1 survey, also known as a condition report, is the cheapest and should cost a few hundred pounds whereas the Level 3 RICS survey (formally known as the RICS Building Survey) could set you back more than £1000.

The cost of the survey is also influenced by the size of the property, the length of time the survey takes, and any reasonable expenses incurred by the surveyor such as travel time.

What are the different types of RIC survey?

Three types of RICS survey can be booked with them varying in terms of how thorough they are.

The buyer or seller is free to choose whichever survey they prefer. We’ve outlined what they cover below:

Level 1 RICS Home Survey

The Level 1 RICS Home Survey, also known as the condition report, is the basic level survey conducted by a RICS surveyor. It gives a general overview of the property with information relating to any defects and potential risks the property may have. No guidance will be provided, and the surveyor will not value the property either.

Expect to pay approximately £300.

Level 2 RICS Home Survey

The Level 2 survey, known as the Homebuyer Survey, is the most common survey when a house is bought or sold, it is more thorough than Level 1, delving into much more of the property. The surveyor will advise on any costs that ongoing maintenance is likely to incur and help with deciding on whether any extra advice is required before the buyer makes a purchase.

They can also provide a valuation of the property if requested. This is an additional charge to add to the survey cost so expect to pay in excess of £400 if you wish to add a valuation and more than £300 if you opt for the survey without a valuation.

Level 3 RICS Home Survey

The Level 3 Survey is the most comprehensive of the surveys conducted by a RICS surveyor. Known as a building survey, it consists of a full structural survey of the building. This means thorough investigations of attics, basements, under floorboards, behind walls and much more. The surveyor will provide a valuation of the property and detail what repairs are necessary, the potential costs and the implications of not completing them. In addition, all aspects of Level 1 and Level 2 surveys will be carried out too.

These can cost a significant sum and as a minimum, you can expect to spend approximately £500.

When should a RICS qualified surveyor conduct their survey?

If an RICS survey is the preferred choice of survey, a surveyor should be appointed upon an offer being accepted on the property. As the survey could indicate issues with the home, it allows the buyer to renegotiate the price or even pull out of the process altogether.

Does the surveyor you use have to be RICS qualified?

No, you can use a surveyor without RICS credentials if you prefer. It would give added peace of mind to all involved in the property transaction though if the surveyor was RICS accredited. This is because all RICS surveyors are impartial, offer expert advice and have strict rules they must follow. Combine this with their in-depth property knowledge and it makes sense to have a survey conducted by a professional who will remain honest with both parties. You’ll see MRICS, FRICS or AssocRICS as indicators a surveyor is RICS qualified.

An alternative option is to find a surveyor from the RPSA. This is a not-for-profit representative body for independent surveyors.

How long does a RICS survey last?

A RICS survey, in theory, doesn’t have a specific time limit. From the time of the survey being conducted through to the completion of the sale, it is unlikely anything will occur that would change the results of the survey dramatically. However, should there be an incident of flooding, a fire or something else that may alter the integrity of the property, it would be wise to have a new survey conducted.

The RICS valuation on the other hand is valid for three months, so if you are hoping for a fast house sale, it may not be likely as the buyer can take their time if they choose.

How long does it take for a RICS surveyor to complete their survey?

The length of time it takes a RICS surveyor to complete a survey will vary with each survey they conduct. A Level 1 survey, for example, will take less time than a Level 3 but then a Level 2 survey on a large property may take longer than a Level 3 survey on a small property.

Simply, the bigger the house, the longer it will take. However, the type of property and how accessible it is will also alter just how quickly a surveyor can get around.

On average, you could see a surveyor take 2-4 hours for the more common Homebuyer Survey and around 4-8 hours for the more comprehensive Level 3 building survey. With a valuation added too, you could see a further hour added to the time it takes for the surveyor to complete the job.

Can having a RICS survey slow down my house sale?

It could. The buyer wants to know that they are getting value for money and should the RICS surveyor pick up any issues with the home, the buyer might not feel too comfortable paying the asking price. Some issues can be quickly resolved and may only add a small delay to the sale. Others can be significant and could take weeks, if not months to rectify. This will be at a cost to you and with such lengthy delays, could see the buyer walk away.

An alternative is to speak to a cash house buyer. Companies like ours buy any property, without the worry of chains or the impact of surveys. We simply make an offer, and if you accept, we will buy your house. Our route to sale works fast, allowing a sale to be completed in as little as seven days if needed.

With no fees, you don’t have to worry about the expenses associated with a sale either. Instead, it’s a fee-free, rapid house sale. Contact our team today if you are having difficulty selling your home or feel the impact of previous RICS surveys has made your home unsellable.