RICS Home Surveys use condition ratings to show which building elements require attention. The colours make a long report easier to navigate, but are not a simple measure of overall quality and should never be separated from the explanation.
Ratings reflect observed condition and necessary action at inspection. They do not guarantee lifespan, state a repair price or confirm that concealed construction is sound.
The framework
Rating 1 generally indicates no repair beyond normal maintenance. Rating 2 identifies repair or replacement that is not serious or urgent. Rating 3 identifies serious defects and/or urgent repair, replacement or investigation.
The report also addresses elements not inspected and risks. An uninspected component is not rating 1; read why access was unavailable.
Read the explanation
Two items with the same rating can have different consequences and costs. Read the defect, evidence, advice and consequences. Ask what is immediate and what can be planned.
Level 3 ordinarily gives more detailed construction and repair analysis than Level 2.
Avoid misunderstandings
Several rating 2 items do not automatically make a poor purchase, but accumulated maintenance can be material. Rating 3 does not always mean structural collapse or mandatory withdrawal.
Few high ratings are not a warranty. Concealed defects and future failure remain possible.
- Rating 1: routine maintenance.
- Rating 2: non-urgent repair.
- Rating 3: serious or urgent action/investigation.
- NI: not inspected; read the implications.
Turn ratings into a plan
List rating 3 and risk items first, then arrange specialist checks or quotations. Refer documentary matters to the conveyancer.
Complete material enquiries before exchange in England and Wales where possible. Decisions should reflect evidence, not colour alone.
How ratings interact across a building
Condition ratings apply to reported elements, yet defects frequently cross those boundaries. A defective gutter may contribute to damp external walls, damaged internal finishes and decaying joinery. Repairing the internal decoration without correcting rainwater disposal would address the symptom rather than the source. Read related sections together and ask whether the recommended sequence of work is clear.
Ratings also reflect action needed at the inspection date, not an estimate of remaining life. An older component can remain serviceable with maintenance, while a newer installation may need prompt attention because of poor detailing. Avoid using the colours to compare properties without reading their construction, limitations and individual repair advice.
Advice for your property
Get the right professional inspection
Online guidance is useful, but it cannot account for the construction, condition and history of an individual property. Tell us what you are buying or need valued and we will explain the appropriate service.
Authoritative sources and further reading
The guide is general information, not property-specific, structural, legal, tax or financial advice. Source pages can change; consult the relevant professional for your circumstances.