Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors

18/08/2026

🏠 Most of my survey work comes from referrals — and that means a lot

A large proportion of my RICS Level 2 Survey work comes from referrals.

Many buyers contact me because a friend, family member or colleague has previously used my services and recommended me.
Often, in those surveys, I have identified defects that the buyer was not aware of during their viewing. Once those defects were investigated further, the buyers understood the potential cost implications and were able to make a more informed decision before proceeding.

That is exactly what a proper survey should do.

It should not be about alarming buyers unnecessarily.

It should not be about trying to stop a purchase.

It should not simply be about negotiating on price.

A proper survey should help buyers understand what they are buying.
🔍 Roof defects
🔍 Dampness
🔍 Cracking and movement
🔍 Poor workmanship
🔍 Drainage issues
🔍 Defective windows and doors
🔍 Maintenance liabilities
🔍 Items that may require further investigation

Because I am often busy, there are times when my next available inspection may be 1–2 weeks away.

However, many clients are happy to wait because they have been recommended to me based on my experience, attention to detail and practical knowledge of building defects.

With over 25 years’ experience as a Chartered Surveyor, and hands-on experience in property development, refurbishment and repairs, I bring more than just textbook knowledge to a survey.

I understand how buildings fail.

I understand how defects are repaired.

I understand how quickly some issues can become expensive if ignored.

I also keep my fees reasonable because I appreciate that buyers are already under significant financial pressure. In my view, every buyer should have the opportunity to make an informed decision before committing to a property purchase.

A mortgage valuation is not a survey.

A proper RICS Level 2 Survey can give you the clarity you need before you buy.

Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors

RICS Level 2 Surveys and Valuations across Leicester and Leicestershire

Level 2 Surveys
RICS Red Book Valuation Reports
Help to Buy Valuation Reports
Rent Reviews

11/08/2026

🏡 Inherited a Property? Don’t Risk Undervaluing It for HMRC

Many people who inherit property make the mistake of estimating the value themselves — often significantly undervaluing the property.

This can become a serious issue when reporting the estate value to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

❗ Undervaluing a property for probate purposes can lead to:
• Financial penalties
• Interest charges
• HMRC investigations
• Delays in estate administration

At Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors, we provide professional RICS Valuation Reports for probate and inheritance purposes, giving you accurate and fully independent property valuations for complete peace of mind.

Why choose us?
✅ Over 25 years of property surveying experience
✅ Close to 1,000 houses sold, providing in-depth market knowledge
✅ Experienced local Chartered Surveyor covering Leicester and surrounding areas
✅ Clear, professional RICS-compliant valuation reports
✅ Valuation reports starting from less than many people expect
when dealing with inheritance and HMRC reporting, accuracy matters.

A professional valuation can potentially save thousands of pounds in future complications and give executors confidence that the estate has been valued correctly.

📍RICS Valuation Reports in Leicester and surrounding areas

📞 Contact Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors today for expert advice and competitive pricing.

28/07/2026

🧱 Stepped cracks in brickwork — a common warning sign buyers should not ignore.

One of the more common defects I see during RICS Level 2 Surveys is stepped cracking to brickwork.

These cracks usually follow the mortar joints in a “stair-step” pattern. Sometimes they are historic and relatively minor. Other times, they can be linked to more serious issues such as:
🔍 Movement
🔍 Inadequate support above openings
🔍 Poorly supported replacement windows
🔍 Defective lintels
🔍 Moisture-related deterioration
🔍 Localised structural stress

The important point is this:
The crack itself is only part of the story.

The real question is:
👉 Why has it appeared?
👉 Is it historic or ongoing?
👉 Is further investigation required?
👉 What repair is appropriate?

In suitable cases, stepped cracking can often be repaired using stainless steel helical bars bedded into the mortar joints. However, before any repair is recommended, the cause of the cracking should be properly assessed.

🚫 A mortgage valuation is not a survey.

A basic valuation is mainly for the lender’s benefit and may not identify defects such as cracking, movement, defective lintels, roof issues, dampness or the need for specialist repairs.

With over 25 years’ experience as a Chartered Surveyor, and hands-on experience developing and refurbishing property, I assess defects from both a professional and practical perspective.
I do not just look at what has cracked.

I look at why it may have cracked and what it may mean for the buyer.

Before buying a property, make sure you have a proper survey carried out by an experienced surveyor.

Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors

RICS Surveys & Valuations across Leicester and Leicestershire

Ravi Seth offers Property Surveys, Commercial Lettings, Property Management and Rent Reviews. With over two decades of experience in the UK property market, Ravi Seth is a trusted name in property investment and consultancy.

14/07/2026

Most people associate property valuations with buying or selling a home. But in reality, there are many important life situations where a formal, RICS compliant valuation report is essential — and where an estate agent's informal estimate simply won't do.

At Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors, we provide formal RICS Red Book valuation reports for:

⚖️ Divorce proceedings — a court-accepted, independent valuation of the matrimonial home or investment properties for fair asset division.

📋 Probate — an accurate valuation of property at the date of death for HMRC and estate administration purposes.

📊 Accounting & financial reporting — valuations for company accounts, balance sheet purposes, or business asset assessments.

🏦 Pension funds — SIPP and pension scheme property valuations carried out to RICS standards.

These are formal legal and financial documents. They require a qualified Chartered Surveyor — not an estate agent's opinion, and not an online estimate.

With 25+ years in the Leicester property market and an unparalleled knowledge of local values, Ravi Seth provides valuations you can rely on.

📞 Need a formal valuation? Get in touch today.
Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors — Leicester.

07/07/2026

When you're buying a house, the roof is often one of the last things you think about.

It shouldn't be.

Roof repairs are among the most expensive issues a homeowner can face. A full re-roof on an average Leicester semi-detached property can cost £8,000 to £15,000 or more, while significant structural roof repairs can run substantially higher.

The challenge is that you simply cannot properly assess a roof from street level. Even experienced surveyors are often restricted by what can be seen from the ground. When you're making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life, that's not always enough.

That's why, at Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors, we include a professional drone roof inspection as part of our RICS Level 2 Survey wherever access and conditions permit.

Our drone captures detailed close-up photographs of areas that are impossible to inspect adequately from the ground, including:
✔ Ridge tiles
✔ Roof coverings
✔ Flashings
✔ Guttering
✔ Chimney stacks
✔ Valleys and roof junctions

This allows us to identify issues such as:
✔ Missing or slipped tiles
✔ Chimney defects
✔ Damaged flashing
✔ Blocked or defective gutters
✔ Signs of weathering and general wear and tear
The result is a more comprehensive assessment of the property's condition, helping you make a more informed decision before committing to purchase.

Don't buy blind. Know what's above you before you sign.

📞 Contact Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors today to arrange your RICS Level 2 Survey.

Serving Leicester and the surrounding areas.

02/07/2026

Property valuation is not just about square footage and comparables.

Local knowledge matters.

Street-by-street differences, buyer demand, neighbourhood reputation, nearby development, and market behaviour can all influence value.

Having personally sold close to 1,000 homes, and sold and let hundreds of commercial properties across Leicester, Ravi Seth brings a depth of local insight that goes beyond standard market data.

A valuation is only as good as the knowledge behind it.

25/06/2026

A survey may cost hundreds.

Missing a serious defect can cost thousands.

In over 25 years of surveying Leicester properties, I've seen things that no quick mortgage valuation would ever catch.

Here are five of the most common — and most costly — issues our in-depth surveys identify:

🔴 1. Roof structural failure
Often invisible from the street. Our drone survey has identified sagging rafters, rotten purlins, and widespread felt deterioration on properties described as "in good order." Repair costs: £5,000–£15,000+.

🔴 2. Active subsidence
Hairline cracks can be cosmetic. Or they can indicate foundation movement. Only a proper survey distinguishes between the two. Getting it wrong can cost you your insurance as well as your money.

🔴 3. Concealed damp
Freshly decorated walls hide a lot. Rising and penetrating damp can cause significant structural damage if left untreated.

🔴 4. Unsafe electrics
Older consumer units, unregulated extension works, and unsafe wiring frequently appear in Leicester's Victorian and Edwardian housing stock.

🔴 5. Structural wall removal
Where walls have been removed without building regulations consent, structural integrity can be compromised — and future sale can be difficult.

Too often, buyers discover these issues only after completion.
A thorough pre-purchase survey is not simply a formality — it is a critical part of managing financial risk.

📞 Book your survey today.
Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors — Leicester.

16/06/2026

Auction properties can represent fantastic value. They can also represent the most expensive mistake of your life.

Here's the reality that not enough bidders understand:

When the hammer falls at auction, the sale is legally binding. You have exchanged contracts. You must complete — usually within 28 days.

If you discover structural problems, subsidence, severe damp, roof failure, or any other major defect after that point — it is your problem. There is no going back.

And yet, a significant number of auction buyers do not commission a survey before they bid.

In 25+ years working in Leicester's property market, I have seen the consequences. Properties bought at seemingly attractive prices that turned into years of costly remedial work — problems that a proper pre-auction survey would have clearly identified.

At Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors, we carry out pre-auction surveys across Leicester and Leicestershire. Our in-depth inspections take 60–90 minutes and include a drone survey of the roof.

We'll tell you exactly what you're buying — before you're committed to buying it.

📋 Auction coming up? Contact us now. We can often turn around surveys quickly.
📞 Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors — Leicester.

11/06/2026

As the football world turns its attention to the biggest tournament on the planet, everyone at Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors would like to wish all the teams, players, and supporters the very best for an exciting and memorable World Cup.

The World Cup is a celebration of passion, teamwork, preparation, and determination. It brings together nations from across the globe and reminds us of the value of hard work, experience, and performing when it matters most.

While we won't be stepping onto the pitch ourselves, many of the qualities that make successful football teams stand out are the same qualities we strive to deliver for our clients every day — knowledge, preparation, attention to detail, and a commitment to achieving the best possible results.

For more than 25 years, Ravi Seth has been helping clients across Leicester and beyond with professional property advice, including:
• RICS Valuation Reports
• Level 2 Home Surveys
• Commercial Rent Reviews
• Commercial Property Management
• Lease Renewals and Property Consultancy
Whether we're assisting a homeowner, landlord, investor, or business owner, our goal is always the same: to provide clear advice, strong representation, and practical solutions that help our clients succeed.

As supporters gather with family and friends to enjoy the tournament, we hope everyone experiences plenty of memorable moments, dramatic matches, and reasons to celebrate.

Enjoy the football, support your team, and may the best side lift the trophy.

From all of us at Ravi Seth Chartered Surveyors – enjoy the World Cup and good luck to all the teams competing.

02/06/2026

A common misconception among buyers is that a mortgage valuation is the same as a survey.

It is not.

A mortgage valuation is primarily carried out for the lender. In many cases, the inspection can take as little as 15–20 minutes.

Our in-depth Level 2 Survey inspections typically take 60–90 minutes.

That additional time allows us to properly assess:
• Structural movement
• Damp issues
• Roof condition
• Defects that may not be immediately obvious

When buying property, the risk is simple: a mortgage valuation helps protect the lender’s interest — a proper survey helps protect yours.

A property purchase may be one of the largest financial commitments you ever make. It deserves more than a brief inspection.

Level 2 Surveys
RICS Red Book Valuation Reports
Help to Buy Valuation Reports
Rent Reviews