FAQs About Surveying in Southampton
Compare My Move work hard to answer the questions on surveying in Southampton. Our own data shows that the most popular survey for our Southampton users is a homebuyers survey, with most people needing one for a semi-detached property.
Our research shows that Southampton suffers from a subsidence problem, but there is a low risk of Japanese Knotweed in the city. Your property surveyor will highlight these risks and other hidden defects when you have a property survey.
What are the Most Popular Surveys in Southampton?
According to our data, over 75% of our Southampton users were looking for verified surveyors to perform a homebuyers survey, making it the most popular survey type in the area. The remaining percentage of users were searching for surveyors to conduct building surveys.
As many of the homes in Southampton are not over 80 years old or in high-risk areas, it’s understandable that homeowners would prefer the homebuyers survey over the building survey. Subsidence is a cause for concern in this area, but unless there are obvious cracks or damage, a homebuyers survey is enough to highlight the issue.
However, our data also revealed that those purchasing a semi-detached home in Southampton were more likely to require a building survey compared to other property types. Whilst only 4.79% of terraced homeowners searched for building surveys, almost 10% of semi-detached owners required our services for this more in-depth survey type.
The lowest property type that required building surveys was flat owners. A homebuyers survey is often required for flats and so it’s understandable that the demand for building surveys would not be high. Some Southampton flats that are considered as listed buildings may require a more specialist survey, however.
What Types of Historical Architecture Does Southampton Have?
If you’re considering buying a home in Southampton, it’s important to note that the older coastal properties are more likely to suffer from rising damp. This type of damp can be rather difficult to remove which is why it’s important to seek the help of our professional Southampton surveying partners before committing to the purchase.
Many of these properties will require a separate damp survey, due to the difficulty that this type of damp poses. If this increased risk is something you’d like to avoid, the city offers a range of other property types to view, ranging from new developments such as Fen Meadow to traditional Victorian houses that are perfect for those moving with families.
There are over 450 listed buildings in Southampton. Due to their historic importance, you would require a specialist surveyor, one who could conduct a Listed Building survey. It is also important to note that Southampton has over 20 conservation areas. There are also a number of converted flats and council flats that may also feature on the property market. There were 6 sales of new builds in January 2020 and 180 existing property sales.
There are also a number of Georgian properties still, all within the areas of Southampton that survived the second world war. You may require a building survey to uncover any damage caused by the extensive remodelling and repair.
| Listed Buildings | 450 |
| Conservation Areas | 20 |
| New Build Sales* | 6 |
| Existing Property Sales* | 180 |
*Based on data for January 2020
Is Subsidence an Issue in Southampton?
Subsidence is one of the most dreaded words for homeowners. When the ground beneath your property compresses or sinks, an unbalanced foundation is created and subsidence occurs. One of the major causes of subsidence is clay soil which shrinks, cracks and even shifts during warm weather. This, in particular, is an issue in Southampton.
When viewing Geobear’s UK Subsidence Map, you can see that Southampton suffers from a fair amount of subsidence as many cities have increased pressure on the ground due to the number of buildings in condensed areas. If you’re buying a property in Southampton, it would be wise to have a homebuyers survey to highlight any potential signs of subsidence.
Southampton also suffers from high levels of clay hazards. In the Map of the Distribution of Clay Over the UK, you can see that Southampton is labelled as being a ‘Hazard Level D’. This means that a small change in conditions could cause ground movement and, as a result, subsidence. This could be for a number of reasons such as the slope weakening from added water.
When purchasing a property in Southampton, inspect the building closely. If there are no obvious signs of cracking, a homebuyers survey should suffice, highlighting any signs of subsidence. However, if there are already obvious signs, it will be more beneficial to have a building survey as it will thoroughly examine the building’s structure, assessing the extent of the damage.
Is Japanese Knotweed a Concern in Southampton?
Japanese Knotweed is a dangerous plant that can force its way through concrete, foundations, walls and drains. This can cause a range of problems, including subsidence. When looking at Environet’s Japanese Knotweed Heatmap, you can see that Southampton doesn’t necessarily have a huge infestation of Japanese Knotweed. However, there is a hotspot slightly above the main city that homeowners should be aware of.
As one of the most densely populated UK cities, Southampton has had several developments approved and built to help with the rise in demand. This paired with other developments and repairs across the county can increase the likelihood of Japanese Knotweed - so it’s important to research the local area before purchasing a home.
Several of Southampton’s parks and green spaces have suffered from Japanese Knotweed, ensuring the local council has an effective removal system. If you suspect your home could have Japanese Knotweed, do not try removing it yourself as you could spread the roots to surrounding areas. Instead, hire a property surveyor to inspect the area first and read the report carefully in case they highlight any signs of Japanese Knotweed. You can then follow the right precautions and have it professionally removed.
