Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

RICS Level 3 Home Survey - Legal Options for Major Omissions/Error

2 replies

paulsun · 19/08/2024 12:18

Hi I was wondering if anyone has any advice and hope it's ok to post here.

My mum recently purchased a house and we ordered the Level 3 RICS survey before purchasing to make sure the were no nasty surprises and we used this to make the purchase decision.

It mentioned that there was a single lintel (above kitchen window) that needed replacing due to age and it was brick (as oppose to solid stone like all the others) and that was what was causing some cracking in, but that it wasnt of major concern and could be repaired at the same time as updating the kitchen.

Nothing was turned up that suggested or stated there was any suspected subsidence/foundation issues in the solicitors checks etc. And the Level 3 report likewise did not mention any potential subsidence or advice to have additional subsidence/foundational investigations done.

Having opted for the Level 3 survey being the most thorough and encompassing, we used this information as the final check and basis for proceeding with the purchase.

Since then we contacted a specialist period property builder replace the lintel per the report's suggestion, almost immediately he said there was something else happening, not just the lintel.

We then engaged a separate structural engineer to attend and he independently said the same.

So both of them within less than 2 mins of being there spotted and arrived at a similar conclusion that there is something structural happening at the foundations level under the kitchen window area.

In this instance - do we have legal grounds to go after the Charted Surveyor who did the Level 3 report for such a big error/omission and the costs of putting it right.

Happy to share a copy of the report if anyone can help with advice?

If anyone can help it would be much appreciated as we're at a bit of a loss on how to proceed and quite honestly panicking 24/7 about it all.

OP posts:
Flubadubba · 19/08/2024 12:32

Might be best to consult a solicitor about this one. The surveyor probably has insurance, but it is likely that things will hinge on the way it was worded etc.

KievLoverTwo · 19/08/2024 13:56

I would start with getting advice from the RICS on what to do, assuming the surveyor was registered with them. I would also contact her former conveyancer for advice.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page