FAQs About Surveying in Bournemouth
Our team at Compare My Move have conducted research to answer all your important questions about surveying in Bournemouth. Despite the level of redevelopment within the area, our data shows that the most popular survey type in the town is the Homebuyers Survey.
Our team also discovered that Bournemouth homeowners do not have to worry about Japanese Knotweed as the town is not a hotspot for the intrusive plant. However, as subsidence is a slight concern, a property survey is vital to investigate the structure of the house.
What are the Most Popular Surveys in Bournemouth?
Our dedicated Compare My Move team discovered that over 70% of our users hired a property surveyor to complete a Homebuyers Survey on the property they were viewing in Bournemouth. The Homebuyers Survey will provide an overview of the condition of the building, allowing you to uncover a variety of potential issues. However, this type of survey is not as thorough as a Building Survey.
Despite there being a high number of older properties in Bournemouth, the Building Survey was the least popular type with only around 30% of our users requesting one. If the property you’re interested in is over 80-years old, has had extensive work done, is made of unconventional material or is simply in ‘bad’ condition, then you will likely require a Building Survey to uncover any hidden or major damage.
Having an incorrect property survey conducted on your property can be a great risk. Potential issues could go unnoticed, meaning you may face a hefty repair bill further down the line of owning the home. Victorian homes such as terrace houses and traditionally styled semi-detached homes are quite popular throughout Bournemouth. Whilst semi-detached homes had one of the highest numbers of building surveys conducted (13.16%), terrace homes had the lowest percentage (3.95%).
For Homebuyer Surveys, semi-detached and detached homes had the highest number of users requesting them, both sitting at 22.37%. Whilst there are a number of converted flats throughout Bournemouth, only 15.79% of users organised a Homebuyers Survey for this type of home. Property surveys can be vital for those purchasing converted or redeveloped homes as the excessive amount of work done can weaken the property’s structure over time.
What Types of Historical Architecture Does Bournemouth Have?
For the last 150 years, Bournemouth has been a popular seaside resort in the UK, attracting many tourists and potential homeowners. Its gradual growth has meant many areas have been redeveloped, providing more residential properties to view. From seaside villas with the signature deckchair stripes to modern, converted flats, the town has it all.
Bournemouth still contains traditional Edwardian and Victorian homes as well as recently redeveloped houses. These buildings may require a building survey if they are older than 50 years or have been redeveloped multiple times. Having to ‘keep up with the times’ to attract tourists, many Bournemouth properties have been updated which can sometimes put a strain on the building’s foundations, creating complications that a building survey will uncover.
If you’re one of the house-hunters searching for these older homes, don’t forget to take into account the cost of their upkeep as well as the property’s age. These traditional homes are very popular in Bournemouth, with 478 existing properties being sold in January 2020 according to the Land Registry. Despite their modern design, only 5 new build homes were sold.
There are approximately 235 listed buildings in Bournemouth, so it’s important to research the property you’re interested in before committing to the purchase. It’s important to note that if you’re interested in purchasing a Listed Building, you can’t simply organise a property survey. You would require a Listed Building Survey from a specialist surveyor. There are also 20 conservation areas in Bournemouth, some of which will contain residential properties.
| Listed Buildings | 235 |
| Conservation Areas | 20 |
| New Build Sales* | 5 |
| Existing Property Sales* | 478 |
*Based on data for January 2020
Is Subsidence an Issue in Bournemouth?
Subsidence occurs when the ground begins to compress or sink, creating an unbalanced foundation for the property on top. This causes misalignment in the property’s foundation and cracks begin to form around windows and door frames. As Bournemouth is a coastal resort, it’s important to be aware of the signs of subsidence due to the unstable ground and extreme changes in temperature.
Subsidence is a dreaded word amongst homeowners as it can affect the building’s overall value and safety. A building survey would be able to highlight any signs of subsidence and thoroughly check the property’s foundations.
According to the GeoBear UK Subsidence Map, Bournemouth is not a high-risk area for subsidence. The centre of the town has previously shown issues but they are still only labelled as a low to medium risk.
This doesn’t minimise the importance of organising a property survey, however, as any signs of subsidence is a cause for concern and should be inspected. An experienced surveyor can conduct a full property survey to analyse the property and it’s foundations to see if subsidence has or could cause any damage.
Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Bournemouth?
According to the Environet Japanese Knotweed Map, Bournemouth does not have any major hotspots for this dangerous plant. This fast-growing plant can reduce the value of a home by up to 10% with many mortgage lenders denying homeowners a loan if Japanese Knotweed is found on the property.
Luckily, not many homeowners in Bournemouth will have to worry about this as most of the area if free of Japanese Knotweed. There are 2 main hotspots, one located close to Christchurch, but even these are at low to medium risk. Previous areas that have seen issues with Japanese Knotweed have been public parks and green spaces, meaning it has been the local council’s responsibility to clear the intrusive plant.
Despite it being a rarity, if you suspect there is Japanese Knotweed on your Bournemouth property, it would be wise to consult with a property surveyor as the plant can lead to major structural problems.
