January 2026 Round-Up
Residential Surveys, Valuations and Local Market Activity
January is always a busy and slightly unpredictable month in residential property. The post-Christmas reset tends to bring a mix of new instructions, delayed purchases restarting, and early signs of how the year ahead might shape up.
Throughout January 2026, Navah Consulting continued to provide RICS Home Surveys and Red Book valuations across Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas, supporting buyers, owners and professionals with clear, independent advice.
As ever, our focus remains on straightforward reporting, practical insight, and helping clients understand properties without unnecessary jargon.
RICS Home Survey Level 2 reports remained one of our most frequently requested services during January, particularly for conventional houses, flats and newer properties where buyers want reassurance on condition and key risks before committing.
During the month, we carried out Level 2 inspections across:
Hertfordshire:
Bishop’s Stortford, Hatfield, Hertford, Hitchin, Lemsford, Letchworth Garden City, Royston and Welwyn Garden City.
Essex:
Braintree, Chelmsford, Epping, Harlow, Henham, Saffron Walden and Stevenage.
These inspections covered a wide mix of property types, from modern estates to established residential streets, with reports tailored to highlight condition issues, maintenance considerations and any matters requiring further investigation.
RICS Home Survey Level 3 reports continued to be popular for older, extended or more complex buildings, where buyers need a deeper understanding of construction, defects and long-term risks.
In January 2026, Level 3 inspections were undertaken in:
Hertfordshire:
Bishop’s Stortford, Braughing, Hoddesdon, Hitchin, Redbourn.
Essex:
Chelmsford, Crishall, Loughton, Saffron Walden, St Albans.
These instructions often involved period buildings, altered layouts, or properties where previous works warranted closer scrutiny. Reports focused on construction detail, defect diagnosis and practical advice to help clients plan ahead.
Alongside surveys, we continued to provide RICS Valuation (Red Book) for a range of purposes, including probate, tax, estate planning and Help to Buy loan redemptions.
Valuation work during January included properties in:
Hertfordshire:
Bishop’s Stortford, Potters Bar.
Essex:
Elsenham, Harlow, Stansted.
Cambridgeshire:
Cambridge.
All valuations were prepared in accordance with the RICS Valuation – Global Standards (Red Book), providing independent and defensible advice suitable for formal use.
Looking ahead
January often sets the tone for the year, and early 2026 has shown steady demand for both surveys and valuations across the region. As activity builds into spring, we expect continued interest from buyers seeking clarity before committing, particularly where property condition or complexity is a concern.
About Navah Consulting Ltd
Navah Consulting is a firm of Chartered Building Surveyors and Valuers that specialises in surveying services throughout Hertfordshire, Essex, Cambridgeshire, London, and Suffolk.
We offer a full range of surveys and valuations, including the RICS Home Survey Level 2 (Home Buyer Report) and RICS Home Survey Level 3 (Building Survey). We’re also happy to advise on RICS Valuation, Reinstatement Cost Assessments and Defect Analysis for a range of purposes.
Our Contract Administration services help ensure your project is managed effectively from start to finish.
Navah Consulting aims to provide all services in a straightforward, efficient and client-focused manner. We understand the importance of providing reports and services in a concise, jargon-free format, in a quick time frame. Check out our reviews page here.
Navah Consulting - Surveying Made Simple.