FAQs About Surveying in Bexley
Compare My Move’s team created this guide with the aim of answering all your vital questions regarding surveying in Bexley. Our unique data discovered that building surveys are the most popular amongst our Bexley users, especially for semi-detached homes.
Our team also discovered that both subsidence and Japanese Knotweed are luckily not major concerns for the borough. However, with a large number of older properties in the area, a building survey is still advised to ensure the home is structurally sound.
What are the Most Popular Surveys in Bexley?
According to Compare My Move’s unique data, the building survey is the most popular survey type amongst our Bexley users. The homebuyers survey is typically the most common type of property survey used, however, the building survey does include a more thorough inspection.
Bexley movers may differ in preference due to the suburban expansion in the early years of the 20th century. This resulted in a lot more family-friendly housing with large detached and semi-detached homes built in the 1930s. Due to the size and age of the properties, many movers probably decided to arrange a building survey rather than a homebuyers survey, as it’s better suited to older homes and takes a detailed look at the building’s structural safety.
Our data somewhat supports this theory as the property types most likely to require a survey in Bexley were semi-detached and terrace homes. Over 21% of semi-detached buyers were organising a building survey, whilst 12.35% of terrace movers arranged the same survey type and 19.58% a homebuyers survey.
The building survey is recommended for properties over 80-years of age, in poor condition or that is made of unusual materials. It includes a very thorough assessment of the building and its structure, whilst the homebuyers survey will be slightly more general. If the property you’re interested in is fairly modern or in relatively ‘good’ condition, then the homebuyers report is likely the better option.
What Types of Historical Architecture Does Bexley Have?
London saw a major suburban expansion in the early 20th century, increasing the number of housing developments in Bexley to accommodate working-class families. This resulted in a variety of detached and semi-detached homes being built as far back as the 1930s, many of which can be found in Albany Park Estate and Royal Park Estate. There are also many examples of Arts & Crafts architecture such as William Morris' Red House.
There are also a number of modern developments in Bexley with purpose-built flats and shared ownership opportunities. Examples of these can be found in areas such as Hawthorn Road and Albion Road. It’s important to note, however, that properties located near the River Shuttle are often subject to flood alerts, highlighting the importance of both a property survey and the conveyancing searches.
According to data from the UK House Price Index, ‘existing properties’ appear to be the most popular amongst Bexley movers with 307 being sold in October 2020 alone. New-build homes were not as sought after, however, with only 5 sold that same month. If you, like many movers in the area, are interested in the older homes Bexley has to offer then don’t forget to consider arranging a building survey to ensure the property is structurally sound.
The London Borough of Bexley contains numerous historic buildings and areas dating as far back as 1755, perhaps even earlier. The area is home to over 550 listed buildings and around 23 conservation areas. If the property you’re interested in is located in a conservation area or is classed as a listed building, then you should be aware that you will be limited when it comes to the work you can do on the home - you will have to seek special permission from the local authority before you can begin.
| Listed Buildings | 550+ |
| Conservation Areas | 23 |
| New Build Sales* | 5 |
| Existing Property Sales* | 307 |
*Based on data for October 2020
Is Subsidence an Issue in Bexley?
Subsidence is a dreaded term amongst homeowners and occurs when the ground beneath a house compacts and sinks. This can be caused naturally or it may be a result of man-made issues such as increased industry. Many London areas will be prone to subsidence due to the number of densely-packed buildings in smaller areas which weakens the ground.
A map of the UK Hotspots for Subsidence shows Bexley to be a fairly low-risk area, with pockets of land that have a slight increase of risk amongst the properties. East London has a lower risk of subsidence than Central London and so Bexley movers do not have to be as concerned when choosing a home. However, all London Boroughs will be somewhat prone to subsidence so it’s advised you look for warning signs during your viewing, such as large cracks around the windows and door frames.
Homes located within the pockets containing an increased risk will greatly benefit from a homebuyers survey. However, if there are already obvious signs of subsidence, then it’s advised that you arrange a building survey to assess any damage and the overall structural safety of the building. Subsidence can greatly devalue a property and, during worst-case scenarios, even render it uninhabitable.
Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Bexley?
Japanese Knotweed is known as being a highly destructive plant that can grow up to 10-20cm a day. Its root system is incredibly strong and notorious for being difficult to remove. The cost of having Japanese Knotweed professionally removed starts around £3,000. However, it’s advised you do not try removing the plant yourself as it has the ability to force its way through drains and concrete ensuring it causes a lot of damage.
Luckily, Bexley does not appear to have a large infestation. A heatmap of Japanese Knotweed by Environet revealed that whilst Central London is heavily infested, areas such as Bexley are far enough from the centre that it does not see as many occurrences. In a single postcode in the borough, only 32 occurrences have been reported. As a comparison, some postcodes in Central London will have over 100 reported cases.
If Japanese Knotweed is found on the premises, the value of the property will likely decrease and you face the risk of being rejected a mortgage offer by your lender. In fact, the plant has become such an issue across the UK that sellers must now disclose by law if their property has, or ever has had, a Japanese knotweed infestation.
A reliable and verified property surveyor should uncover any signs of the formidable plant during the survey. Don’t forget to compare surveying quotes with Compare My Move to ensure you’re connected with the best Bexley has to offer.
