RPSA Level 1 Home Survey (Condition Report)

A Level 1 Building Survey provides a basic overview of a property's condition. It is the lightest of the three RPSA survey levels and is designed for properties that are relatively new, built using standard construction methods, and appear to be in good condition. The survey highlights obvious defects and issues that may affect the property, using a simple traffic-light condition rating system, without going into detailed analysis or repair advice. Think of it as a health check — it tells you whether there is anything you urgently need to know, but it does not provide the depth of investigation or guidance you would get from a Level 2 or Level 3 survey.

A Level 1 survey is generally suitable for modern, conventionally built properties that are in visibly good condition and have not been significantly altered, extended, or converted. Typical candidates include new-build homes (though snagging may be more appropriate at handover stage), properties built in the last 20-30 years using standard cavity-wall or timber-frame construction, flats and apartments in purpose-built blocks where the structure is shared, and properties where you are mainly looking for reassurance that there are no obvious, urgent defects. If the property is older than around 30 years, has been altered, or shows visible signs of wear, a Level 2 survey is usually the better choice.

A Level 1 survey may not be sufficient for older properties (typically pre-1990), homes that have been extended, altered, or have loft conversions and other modifications, properties with unusual construction types such as timber frame, steel frame, or non-standard methods, listed buildings or those in conservation areas, and any property where visible defects such as cracking, damp patches, or signs of movement are present. In these cases, a Level 2 Homebuyer Survey (for most conventional older homes) or a Level 3 Building Survey (for complex, altered, or visibly distressed properties) is usually more appropriate. If you are unsure, we can advise based on the property details.

A Level 1 survey includes a visual inspection of all reasonably accessible parts of the property, both internally and externally. The surveyor will look at the main building elements — roofs, walls, floors, windows, doors, and visible services — and record any significant defects, risks, or matters that may require further investigation. The report uses a simple condition rating system (typically green/amber/red) to flag the severity of each finding. It does not include detailed explanations of defect causes, repair recommendations, or cost estimates, and it does not involve lifting floor coverings, moving furniture, or inspecting concealed areas. The output is a concise document, typically running to a few pages, giving you a clear summary of the property's apparent condition on the day of inspection.

No — a Level 1 survey does not include detailed repair advice, cost estimates, or recommendations for remedial work. Its primary purpose is to identify and flag issues, not to explain how to fix them. If the survey identifies defects that require further investigation, it will recommend that you seek specialist advice or consider upgrading to a more detailed survey level. For buyers who want repair guidance, maintenance advice, and a more thorough explanation of each finding, a Level 2 Homebuyer Survey is the recommended alternative. Many clients initially enquire about Level 1 and, after discussing the property details with us, decide that the additional detail of a Level 2 survey is worth the relatively modest price difference for the peace of mind it provides.

Yes — "Level 1 survey", "Level 1 home survey", "Level 1 house survey" and "Level 1 Condition Report" all refer to the same inspection. The numbered Level system was introduced in 2021 to replace older RICS terminology, and both RPSA and RICS now use the Level 1 / 2 / 3 framework. The naming varies between practices and search habits, but the underlying inspection scope — a visual overview with condition ratings and identification of significant defects — is the same regardless of which name you encounter.