Fast turnaround
The reports are a fast turnaround while still being accurate, so you'll have everything you need in no time.
RICS qualified
You can trust our reports as they are all regulated by RICS, assuring standards and professional guidance.
Traffic-light ratings
Each report comes with a handy traffic-light system to illustrate all aspects of the property clearly.
Tyne and Wear's property market
Tyne and Wear's housing stock spans dense Victorian terraces built for the shipbuilding and coal mining workforce in Sunderland and Gateshead, listed Roman and medieval heritage near Wallsend and Jarrow, and a wide stock of post-war and modern housing throughout the wider county.
Which survey do you need in Tyne and Wear?
Property surveys in Tyne and Wear - what to look out for
Sunderland's shipbuilding legacy
Sunderland was once known as the largest shipbuilding town in the world, producing around a quarter of all the world's ships at its peak, with the last shipyard closing in 1988 and the last coal mine in 1994, the site of which now hosts the Stadium of Light. Dense Victorian terraces were built across the city to house this enormous shipbuilding and mining workforce, and former industrial sites along the River Wear have since been substantially redeveloped into housing, retail and business use. A Level 3 survey will note any visible signs of ground-related issues for any property near these former industrial sites.
The 1831 cholera epidemic
Sunderland was the first British town struck by the Indian cholera epidemic in October 1831, with the disease quickly spreading from the port across the country and eventually killing an estimated 32,000 people nationally, including Sunderland's own naval hero Jack Crawford. The town's rapid 19th century growth, driven by shipbuilding and coal, meant cramped and overcrowded housing conditions in parts of the town at the time, a pattern reflected in the dense terraced streets that survive in some areas today. A Level 3 survey will assess any older terrace's original construction quality more thoroughly than a Level 2.
WWII bombing and post-war rebuilding in Sunderland
Sunderland was one of the most heavily bombed areas in England during the Second World War, and much of its town centre was subsequently rebuilt in a utilitarian concrete style typical of the period. Properties from this rebuilding period generally reflect different construction standards to the surviving Victorian fabric found in areas including Monkwearmouth, Roker and Hendon. A Level 3 survey will assess any property from this period on its own construction merits.
Segedunum Roman Fort and listed heritage at Wallsend
Segedunum Roman Fort at Wallsend, the eastern terminus of Hadrian's Wall, is the most extensively excavated Roman fort anywhere in the former Roman Empire and forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Properties near this and other listed heritage sites across the county, including Tynemouth Castle and Priory, can be subject to additional planning considerations reflecting their protected status. A surveyor familiar with the area will flag any alterations that appear to lack the necessary approval.
The Tyne and Wear Green Belt
A Green Belt covering 72,372 hectares was established around the urban areas of Newcastle, Gateshead, Sunderland, North Tyneside and South Tyneside through the Tyne and Wear County Structure Plan adopted in 1985, restricting development on land surrounding the conurbation. This designation accounts for around 4.5% of all Green Belt land in England, reflecting the scale of protected open land encircling the county's urban centres. Buyers considering a rural property at the edge of any of these towns should check with their solicitor whether nearby land falls within this protected designation, since it can affect future development in the surrounding area.
Damp and old wiring in Victorian terraces
Victorian terraces built for the shipbuilding and coal mining workforce throughout Sunderland and Gateshead typically have solid walls without a cavity, making them prone to penetrating and rising damp where original damp proof courses have failed. Old wiring is also a frequent finding in properties of this age that have not been fully modernised. A Level 3 survey will assess both more thoroughly than a Level 2.
Quick and thorough
Of the companies we contacted this one gave us the earliest date for completion of the Level2 House Survey we wanted. We had the report on the following day by email. It was clear and comprehensive giving us a good idea of what we would be dealing with should we continue with the buying process. Our Estate Agent was also impressed with the survey.
Arrange your Tyne and Wear survey with Surveyor Local
Get an online quote or call now on to talk to our friendly team.
Frequently asked questions about property surveys in Tyne and Wear
Is a survey a legal requirement?
No. There is no legal requirement in England or Wales for a buyer to commission a survey before purchasing a property. However, it is strongly recommended. A mortgage valuation arranged by your lender only confirms the property is worth what you are borrowing. It does not assess the building's condition. Without an independent survey, structural problems, damp, roof defects and other costly issues can go undetected until after completion.
What is the difference between a mortgage valuation and a survey?
A mortgage valuation is arranged by your lender to confirm the property is suitable security for the loan. It is not a structural inspection and will not flag defects. An independent RICS survey, whether Level 2 or Level 3, is commissioned by you as the buyer and assesses the actual condition of the building, giving you the information you need before committing to the purchase.
Can I use survey findings to negotiate the price?
Yes, and it is common practice. If a survey reveals significant defects such as roof repairs, damp, structural movement or outdated services, you can use the estimated cost of remedial works to renegotiate the agreed price with the seller. In some cases buyers also request that the seller carries out repairs before exchange. A survey report from a RICS qualified surveyor carries weight in these negotiations.
Do I need a survey if I am a cash buyer?
Yes. Without a mortgage lender commissioning their own valuation, there is no independent check on the property's condition at all. A survey protects your investment regardless of how you are funding the purchase, and cash buyers in particular have no fallback if serious defects emerge after completion.
How long does a property survey take?
A Level 2 survey typically takes two to three hours on site. A Level 3 survey on a larger or more complex property can take a full day. Reports are usually returned within five working days of the inspection.
Should I be concerned about ground conditions near former shipyards in Sunderland?
It is worth checking, given the city's history as one of the largest shipbuilding centres in the world, with the last yard closing in 1988. Much of this former industrial land along the River Wear has since been redeveloped for housing, but a Level 3 survey will note any visible signs of ground-related issues, and a formal contaminated land search through your solicitor is a separate complementary step.
Are there restrictions on properties near Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend?
Yes, in many cases. Segedunum is part of the Hadrian's Wall UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the most extensively excavated Roman fort anywhere in the former Roman Empire, and nearby properties can face additional planning considerations as a result. A surveyor familiar with the area will flag any alterations that appear inconsistent with this protected status.
Is a Level 2 survey suitable for a Victorian terrace in Sunderland or Gateshead?
For most Victorian terraces built for the shipbuilding and coal mining workforce, a Level 3 building survey is the stronger choice. These properties have solid walls without a cavity, and damp is a frequently recorded issue where damp proof courses have failed over time. A Level 3 will assess the likely cause of any damp or movement and give a clearer picture of the repairs needed before you commit.