When buying a property in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands, choosing the right RICS HomeBuyer Report is crucial—especially given the region’s mix of historic city homes, ex-mining terraces, rural cottages, and modern developments. Here are the three main RICS survey options tailored to local property types and risks:

1. RICS Home Condition Report (Level 1 – Basic Survey)

✅ Best for: Modern homes (post-1990s) in Nottingham suburbs (e.g., West Bridgford, Beeston) or new builds in Northampton/Loughborough.

✅ What’s included?

Basic visual inspection (no valuation or detailed defect analysis).

Identifies urgent risks (e.g., severe damp, structural cracks).

Simple traffic-light ratings.

✅ Local relevance:

Useful for Help to Buy properties or estates with NHBC warranties.

Less suited for older homes in Nottingham’s Park Estate or Leicester’s conservation areas, where hidden defects are common.

2. RICS HomeBuyer Report (Level 2 – Survey & Valuation)

✅ Best for: Most resale properties—1930s–1980s semis in Nottingham (Sherwood, Mapperley), Victorian terraces in Derby, or 20th-century homes in Lincoln.

✅ What’s included?

Full condition report with defect ratings (e.g., damp, roof issues, subsidence).

Market valuation & rebuild cost (key for insurance in flood-risk areas like the Trent Valley).

Highlights local risks (e.g., mining legacy in Mansfield/Ashfield, clay soil subsidence in Leicestershire).

✅ Why it’s popular in the East Midlands:

Balances affordability with thoroughness—ideal for first-time buyers in Nottingham or downsizers in Rutland.

Can flag coal mining searches needed for ex-pit villages.

3. RICS Building Survey (Level 3 – Full Structural Survey)

✅ Best for: Older, complex, or high-value properties, such as:

Georgian/Victorian townhouses in Nottingham’s Lace Market.

Thatched cottages in the Vale of Belvoir.

Converted barns or mills in the Derbyshire Dales.

✅ What’s included?

In-depth structural analysis (e.g., timber rot, foundation movement).

Repair cost estimates (critical for listed buildings or homes in Notts’ conservation areas).

No valuation (but can be added separately).

✅ Local risks it uncovers:

Mining subsidence (common in North Notts/Derbyshire coalfields).

Flood vulnerability (e.g., properties near the River Trent or Soar).

Historic construction issues (e.g., lime mortar degradation in Melton Mowbray’s stone cottages).

Which Survey is Right for Your East Midlands Property?

Property Type Recommended Survey

New build (e.g., Toton/Clifton estates) ............. Level 1 (if warranty-covered)

1930s–1980s semi (e.g., Arnold, Oakham) ..... Level 2 with Valuation

Pre-1900s/listed (e.g., Newark, Stamford) ..... Level 3 Full Survey

💡 Pro tip: If buying near former coal mines (e.g., Shirebrook, Selston), a mining search + Level 2/3 survey is wise.

At Nottingham Landmark Assessments, we specialise in East Midlands property surveys, combining RICS expertise with local knowledge—whether you’re buying a Nottingham city-centre apartment or a Derbyshire farmhouse. Get a quote tailored to your property today!

Would you like advice on specific postcodes (e.g., NG1 vs. DE7) or flood-risk areas? Just ask!