Compare Homebuyer Surveys in Westminster

Save up to 70% off your surveying costs
Regulated Property Surveyors
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
Used by over 1 million movers in the UK
Save up to 70% on the cost of moving

Moving House in Westminster? Save Up To 70% On Your RICS Level 2 Survey

Looking for a surveyor in London’s Westminster? In the last year, we’ve helped over 2,000 home buyers find a surveyor in the Westminster area

With an average property price of £974,523, the city of Westminster is home to a variety of property types including modern developments, period homes and luxurious flats. If the property you’re viewing is older than 80-years of age, keep in mind that a RICS Level 3 Survey will likely be required. Newer homes and those in good condition are suited to a RICS Level 2 Survey.

Every London surveyor that enters the Compare My Move network is not only RICS registered but verified by our team and reviewed by you. We can match you with up to 6 of Westminster’s best property surveyors, saving you both time and money when moving house.

Our Westminster Chartered Surveyors

    As seen in: BT

    FAQs About Surveying in Westminster

    The Compare My Move team have created this guide to help answer all your vital questions concerning surveying in Westminster. Our own unique data showed that the most popular survey type in this city is the RICS Level 2 Survey.

    We also assessed the risk of subsidence in Westminster to highlight the importance of arranging a property survey before your purchase is complete. Both subsidence and Japanese Knotweed are concerns in the area. To save you both time and money, don’t forget to use our form to compare surveying quotes today. 

    Our unique data discovered that 65.07% of Westminster users opted for the RICS Level 2 Survey, with the remaining percentage choosing the more thorough RICS Level 3 Survey. It’s important to note, however, that if you’re considering purchasing an older, period home in the area, the RICS Level 3 Survey will actually be better suited.

    The most popular property type in Westminster were flats, with over 54% of users requiring a RICS Level 2 Survey for this very property type. This isn’t surprising as RICS Level 2 Surveys are greatly recommended when purchasing flats or apartments. Despite this, over 20% of flat owners still arranged a RICS Level 3 Survey for this property type to ensure a thorough inspection.

    After flats owners, those organising a RICS Level 3 Survey were most likely to purchase terrace properties. Due to the age of many terrace houses in Westminster, the RICS Level 3 Survey would be an appropriate choice to ensure the structure is accurately assessed and inspected. Those interested in detached homes were the least likely to arrange both survey types.

    If you’re purchasing a modern home in fairly good condition, then you would likely benefit from the most common type of property survey, the RICS Level 2 Survey. However, if the home is over 80-years old, made of unusual materials or is in poor condition, then a RICS Level 3 Survey is better suited. New-build homes will require a snagging list and not a property survey.

    Popular Survey Types in Westminster
    Popular Survey Types in Westminster

    What Types of Historical Architecture Does Westminster Have?

    The City of Westminster is home to around 11,000 listed buildings and 56 conservation areas, all of which can be found on the local council website. If you’re purchasing a listed building or a property within a conservation area, you will require special permission to carry out any work on the home. For example, if the property is within a conservation area and you would like to prune or fell a tree on your property, you must give the City of Westminster Council 6 weeks notice before any of the work begins.

    Modern homes will be better suited to a RICS Level 2 Survey. However, if the existing property you’re purchasing is over 80-years of age, you may instead require a RICS Level 3 Survey.

    Westminster is an area rich in history, having been the home of the permanent institutions of England's government since around 1200. There are a number of large 21st-century developments to view as well as traditional, period homes. However, the area does have a reputation for being an expensive place to call home with the current average house price at £930,070.

    As many of the properties in Westminster are from the 18th century if not earlier, a property survey is essential when purchasing a house. Many of the period homes may benefit from the thorough inspection a RICS Level 3 Survey provides, whilst more modern homes or flats will be better suited to a RICS Level 2 Survey.

    Architecture Overview From Listed Buildings to Sales of New Buildings
    Listed Buildings11,000
    Conservation Areas56
    New Build Sales*3
    Existing Property Sales*154

    *Based on data for 2023

    Is Subsidence an Issue in Westminster?

    As you can see on Geobear’s map of subsidence in the UK, most areas around Central London have a high risk of experiencing issues with subsidence. This includes Westminster and surrounding cities. Subsidence occurs when the ground beneath a building becomes unstable, dragging the property’s foundations as it compacts. This can happen for a number of reasons, including extreme weather or temperature changes and a history of mining or other industries in the area.

    Cities like London and Westminster often experience subsidence due to the immense pressure put on the ground. When densely-packed areas continue to grow, the number of properties being built in small areas puts too much pressure on the soil, causing it to compact and sink. A property survey should highlight any signs of subsidence, such as large cracks around windows and door frames.

    Subsidence can greatly devalue a home and, in worst-case scenarios, can even render it uninhabitable. Proceeding with a house purchase without a professional analysis of the risk of subsidence could potentially become rather costly.

    London subsidence map taken from Geobear's website
    London subsidence map taken from Geobear's website

    Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Westminster?

    A high-density urban area such as Central London, with residential, commercial and development space within close proximity, often results in a high number of Japanese Knotweed infestations. A heatmap of Japanese Knotweed in the UK, created by Environment, depicts Westminster as having a high risk of experiencing Japanese Knotweed occurrences.

    Japanese Knotweed is also known as Fallopia Japonica and was originally introduced to the UK when it was brought to Kew Gardens as an ornamental plant. It was a well-loved plant at first, but it soon became clear that it had very destructive tendencies for both land and properties.

    Today, it can cost upwards of £3,000 to remove the dangerous plant, costing the UK around £150 million a year. Japanese Knotweed is capable of growing up to 10cm a day, forcing its way through drains, concrete and building foundations. As a result, many mortgage lenders will refuse a mortgage for a home with evidence of an infestation. This is why it’s vital you find a reliable and experienced property surveyor to inspect the home before the purchase is complete.

    Your surveyor should be able to identify if Japanese Knotweed is present on the land or property. If found, do not attempt to remove the plant yourself as it will only cause further damage to your home. The plant can be treated but you will require the help of a professional.

    Westminster Japanese Knotweed heatmap taken from Environet website
    Westminster Japanese Knotweed heatmap taken from Environet website