RICS Home Survey Standard 2023 · Level 1

RICS Level 1 Condition Reports — the fastest path to a compliant report

Entry-level RICS Home Survey for properties in apparently good condition. Combined narrative per element, traffic-light ratings, R-flag for documents to request — drafted from your on-site notes in minutes.

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Our approach to Level 1

The entry-level RICS Home Survey — a single-narrative condition report for modern, conventional properties in apparently good condition. Built for speed without cutting corners: combined narrative per element, bulk-rating from your notes, auto-generated summary tables, a section-aware image manager, and smart fields that block export until the report is complete.

Field structure

Single combined narrative per element

L1 uses one combined field per element (rather than splitting into description / defects / recommendations like L2/L3). Faster to write, faster to review — reflects the entry-level scope.

Photo manager

Section-aware image manager

Bulk-import from your camera roll. Drag photos to the right report section, annotate with arrows and labels, mark for inline or appendix. No more renaming files or dragging into Word folders — saves hours per report.

RICS-only

R-flag (Documents to Request)

Independent per-element flag for paperwork: EICR, FENSA, HETAS, boiler commissioning, building regs. Distinct from the CR rating — a CR1 element can still need an R-flag.

Your site notes

D2 roof — clay tile, mossy N slope, 2 slipped at ridge F1 elec — old fuse board, recommend EICR CR1 throughout except F1 & F4 boiler

AI draft — review & sign off

Roof coverings CR1

Clay tile coverings throughout. Moss growth observed to the north slope. Two slipped tiles noted at the ridge…

Electricity CR2 R-flag · EICR

An older fuse board was observed. Buyer should obtain a current EICR…

AI · RICS 2026-aligned

From short notes to a Level 1 draft — in minutes, not hours

Type rough on-site notes. Apply bulk ratings ("CR1 throughout except boiler"). AI drafts the combined narrative per element, sets the R-flag where you've asked for documents, and pre-populates the Summary condition rating table.

Strict-literal mode: AI never invents materials, measurements, or causes. The named surveyor sets every CR rating, reviews the draft, signs off, and takes professional responsibility — that line never moves.

Read our full AI compliance position

What's in the report

Sections A–L of the RICS Home Survey Standard 2023.

AAbout the inspectionSurveyor, RICS number, client, address, date, weather, property status, related-party disclosure.
BSummary of condition ratingsAuto-generated rating table (CR3/CR2/CR1/NI grouped) + overall opinion + key concerns.
CAbout the propertyProperty type, year built, accommodation, energy rating, mains services, grounds.
DOutside the property9 external elements: chimneys, roof coverings, gutters, walls, windows, doors, conservatory, joinery, other. Combined narrative per element.
EInside the property9 internal elements: roof structure, ceilings, walls, floors, fireplaces, fittings, woodwork, bathrooms, other.
FServices7 services with safety warnings: electricity (RCD/EICR test), gas/oil (Gas Safe), water, heating, water heating, drainage, common services.

GGrounds3 elements: garage, outbuildings, other.
HIssues for legal advisersRegulations, guarantees, boundary issues, rights of way.
IRisksRisks to building, grounds, people, other hazards.
JSurveyor's declarationRICS-aligned AI disclosure block, signed declaration, qualifications.
KFurther investigations & quotesSpecialist investigations, advice on obtaining quotations.
LService description & termsStandard L1 service terms boilerplate.

Level 1 FAQs

When is a Level 1 Condition Report appropriate?

For modern conventional properties (1930s onwards) in apparently good condition where the buyer wants the basic RICS-aligned condition assessment without the depth of Level 2's narrative split or Level 3's investigation. Often the right product for newer-build resales where major issues are unlikely.

How is Level 1 different from Level 2?

L1 uses a single combined narrative per element; L2 splits into description, defects, and recommendations. L1 has 3 ground elements; L2 has 8. L1 has no EPC discrepancy commentary. L1 is faster to produce; L2 is more thorough.

Can I switch a survey from L1 to L2 mid-write-up?

Not within a single survey — the field schema differs. If the inspection reveals concerns warranting Level 2 depth, the appropriate path is to start a new Level 2 survey for the same property. Notes already captured can be pasted into the new survey's site-notes input.

Does Level 1 include a valuation?

No. Level 1 is condition-only. RICS does not offer an "L1 + Valuation" combination — valuation alongside inspection starts at Level 2 (use the Level 2 + Valuation template).

How does AI help with Level 1 reports?

The AI converts your short on-site notes into the formal combined narrative per element. Strict-literal mode means it never invents materials, measurements, or causes. Bulk rate support: "CR1 throughout except boiler" applies to all in-scope elements. RICS 2026 AI disclosure block automatically populated.

Is the AI compliant with the RICS 2026 AI Standard?

Yes. SurveyorSuite is designed around the RICS Professional Standard Responsible use of artificial intelligence in surveying practice (in force from 9 March 2026). Every AI-assisted Level 1 report carries an AI disclosure block in Section J (text generation / photo analysis / research) with a confirmation field the named surveyor signs before export. Every AI generation is timestamped in the audit trail. The named surveyor remains the accountable professional under s.4.2 — AI drafts, surveyor decides. See our full AI compliance position for the line-by-line breakdown.

What happens to my notes? Are they used to train AI models?

No. Your inspection notes are sent to Anthropic's commercial API for drafting. Anthropic explicitly commits in their Commercial Terms of Service that customer inputs and outputs are not used to train their models. They retain API content for up to 30 days under their standard Trust & Safety policy, then delete it. SurveyorSuite never shares your content with any third party for marketing or model training. You're responsible for what you paste into the site-notes input — avoid confidential client context (health, finances, disputes) per RICS s.3.1.