FAQs About Surveying in Brighton
Compare My Move has answered the pressing questions about surveying in Brighton. Our research shows the most popular survey type in Brighton is a homebuyers survey, with most users needing it for a flat purchase.
We found that properties near Brighton’s coastline are most at risk of subsidence, but that the city does not suffer from a severe infestation of Japanese Knotweed. A property surveyor will be able to detect any of these issues relating to the property.
What are the Most Popular Surveys in Brighton?
According to our data at Compare My Move, the majority of Brighton movers require a homebuyers survey with over 74% choosing this survey for their property purchase. This is unsurprising as many of the homes within Brighton have been redeveloped or are fairly modern, making the homebuyers survey the perfect type for the area’s housing.
The remaining percentage of users opted for a building survey which caters to older buildings or those that are overly redeveloped, affecting the building’s stability and structure. Despite the building survey being the least popular survey type, it was most requested by users buying semi-detached or terrace homes. If you’re purchasing this type of property in Brighton, consider requesting a building survey as they will likely be of the correct age.
Our data also revealed that flat owners were the users most requesting homebuyers surveys. This is the most common type of survey, especially for this type of accommodation. As many flats in Brighton are from the modernist or art-deco eras or are part of new developments, it’s understandable that they would be the most popular amongst those searching for homebuyers surveys.
No matter where you’re purchasing your new home, you shouldn’t neglect the importance of hiring a verified and experienced property surveyor. If you’re buying a home in Brighton that is over 80-years old, you will likely require a building survey. For modern homes under 80-years of age, a homebuyers survey would be more suitable.
What Types of Historical Architecture Does Brighton Have?
If you’re searching for a new home in Brighton, it’s important to note that properties situated in Brighton Marina Village are often subject to flood warnings. If they’ve experienced flooding previously, a homebuyers survey will be necessary to highlight any damage. Homes in Denmark Terrace, however, were previously within 50m of an area with the potential of natural ground instability. A building survey would be ideal to determine if and how this has affected the structure.
Brighton has a variety of properties to choose from, ranging from Regency to Post Modern architecture. Brighton and Hove currently have 34 conservation areas, all of which are listed on the council’s Conservation Area page. This could affect homeowners as you would require permission for minor changes to the property or to remove tree roots. If the property you’re viewing is situated in or near a conservation area, it would be wise to review the council’s permissions procedure.
Brighton’s architecture is very diverse with over 1,200 buildings marked as having historical or architectural interest. It was originally a medieval fishing village but soon became a spa town and seaside resort. Many of its earlier buildings were lost in the 1960s and 1970s due to Brighton's increasing redevelopment. However, conservation movements were crucial in saving some of the buildings.
The sale of existing properties is more popular with 257 sold in January 2020 and only 12 new builds. Many of the buildings in the city are from the Regency, Victorian and Edwardian eras. Depending on the age of the building, you may require a building survey to assess the property’s structure as many buildings have gone through major developments. However, if the home is less than 80-years old, a homebuyers survey will suffice in highlighting any issues you should be aware of.
| Listed Buildings | 96 |
| Conservation Areas | 34 |
| New Build Sales* | 12 |
| Existing Property Sales* | 257 |
*Based on data for January 2020
Is Subsidence an Issue in Brighton?
When the ground beneath a property shrinks or compresses, the foundations become unstable and the risk of subsidence increases. It is a dreaded term for homeowners and can cause serious damage to any property. As it is a coastal area, Brighton is at moderate risk of subsidence and other forms of ground instability.
On Geobear’s UK Subsidence Map, you can see the locations closest to the seaside are the ones most at risk of experiencing subsidence. If you’re purchasing a property on Brighton’s coastline, it would be wise to hire a verified surveyor to conduct a homebuyers survey in order to detect signs of subsidence.
If you’ve already noticed obvious signs such as major cracks around the door frames and windows, then a building survey may be a better answer for you. This type of survey will include a thorough inspection and assessment of the building’s structure and foundations, highlighting any damage already caused by subsidence.
As Brighton is an area with a vast amount of clay soil, this will also increase the risk of subsidence. On the UK Clay Hazards Map, Brighton has been marked as a Hazard Level D. This means that the ground is prone to shrinking and swelling under extreme pressure or during an extreme change in temperature.
This instability can cause subsidence and mean a misalignment in your property’s foundations. A property survey can highlight the risk of these issues in advance and suggest how the property may react after potential renovations.
A property survey can also indicate if there are any tree roots that may damage and create the risk of subsidence. Tree roots can reduce the soil’s moisture beneath buildings and cause damage. Despite there being thousands of trees in Brighton and Hove, many of which coexist happily with properties, it is still a risk to consider, increasing the need for a homebuyers survey.
Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Brighton?
A dangerous plant that can severely damage your property, Japanese Knotweed is also known as ‘Fallopia Japonica’ and is capable of growing as fast as 10-20cm a day, forcing its way through concrete, walls and drains.
As you can see on Environet’s Japanese Knotweed Heatmap, Brighton does not have a severe infestation. However, there are hotspots in areas that are closer to the coast, meaning properties situated here may have a higher risk of the plant being located on their land.
If you’re considering purchasing a property near Brighton’s coast, it’s highly recommended you hire a verified surveyor to conduct a property survey, so they can assess the building and highlight any signs of Japanese Knotweed on the land. This can then help you figure out the next steps before the plant causes serious damage.
The Brighton and Hove City Council website has a number of pages dedicated to providing users with advice on Japanese Knotweed and how to have it professionally removed. If you suspect your property contains Japanese Knotweed, do not remove it yourself. You will be responsible for controlling the infestation but removing it yourself could worsen the situation.
If your property survey highlights signs of this invasive plant, contact your local authority or Brighton’s CityParks team. You can find the appropriate contact information on the council’s web page explaining how to deal with contaminated land.
