Birley Steele Lightfoot Ltd

Based in Carlisle, Cumbria, Birley Steele Lightfoot provides valuation and property services throughout North West and eastern parts of Cumbria, as well as parts of South West Scotland and Western Northumberland.

Our team of surveyors are able to draw upon a wealth of experience and local knowledge, all being RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) accredited and all having in excess of 20 years’ experience of working in the area.

Working for a range of private individuals, local authorities, Housing Associations, Property Developers, Banks, Building Societies, local companies and solicitors we pride ourselves on the service that we give to our clients. Our reports are written in plain English and are targeted to client’s requirements.
Services include;



Homebuyer Surveys: A Homebuyer survey provides advice on the condition of the property, commenting on the different elements of the home,
such as roof, walls, windows, doors, chimney stacks and chimney breasts, kitchen/ bathroom fittings etc. It normally provides
a valuation of the property together a reinstatement cost valuation.


Help to Buy Repayment All our surveyors have significant experience in carrying out valuations for Help to Buy redemption purposes,
Valuations: with all reports we provide meeting all of the requirements of Target HCA.

Right to Buy Valuations: Our surveyors are extremely experienced in carrying out valuations for Right to Buy/Acquire purposes for a number of Housing Associations.

Valuations for Banks and Birley Steele Lightfoot is appointed to a number of panels for Building Society/Banks and other mortgage lenders.
Building Societies:

Valuations for Probate Normally acting for the executors (who should normally be able to recover our costs form the estate) our surveyors
and family purposes: will provide an appropriate Market Value for probate and inheritance tax purposes at the date of death.

Re-instatement Cost Our surveyors utilise the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. We Advice for Insurance are able to provide re-instatement figures for the majority of residential and certain commercial properties.
Purposes:

Affordable Housing: Our surveyors are all experienced in providing valuations to clients in respect of properties that are subject to Section 106 planning agreements restricting their saleability to a percentage purchase price of their full market value.

Charities Act (Section 36) Section 36(4) OF THE Charities Act 1993 requires that Trustees of English and Welsh Charities who wish to dispose of land or property should obtain a written report from a qualified surveyor. Our surveyors will be pleased to provide an appropriate report.

Matrimonial Valuation: An impartial matrimonial valuation is normally required if divorcees can’t decide on how to divide their assets fairly. In most cases, divorcees (or their legal representatives) jointly hire a RICS registered valuer to get an accurate property valuation, though we can normally work for one party if required.

Staircasing Valuations: People who own a portion of their residential property through a shared ownership scheme or a similar scheme provided by a local Housing Association may wish to increase their share of ownership in the property by purchasing additional equity. This is known as “staircasing”. Our surveyors are experienced in providing this type of valuation for both private and Housing Association clients.

Valuations of Buy to Let Our surveyors have significant experience in providing buy-to-let valuations for both lenders and landlords alike, both
Properties: when instructed directly by a landlord or lender.

Lease Extension
Valuations: As your lease runs down it can dramatically decrease the value of your property. The longer this goes on, the more expensive it normally becomes to increase the lease term. Additionally many mortgage lenders will not provide a mortgage on properties with 70/80 years or less remaining on the lease. This of cause affects the saleability/value of the property. Our surveyors are able to help you negotiate a cost effective lease extension if you qualify for such. We are also able to provide advice/valuations for landlords.

Building Survey: A building survey is one of the most comprehensive surveys that you can undertake on a property. It is similar to a Homebuyer report in that it looks at certain aspects of the building and gives details of its condition and any potential concerns.

The survey is however more detailed and looks into areas that may be of special concern given the building in question. It is normally recommended for older buildings or those of an unusual structure or made of unusual material. If you plan on undertaking renovation or extension work, or there has already been an extensive renovation, then this survey is also a worthwhile investment.

Energy Performance Certificates EPC

Energy Performance Certificates (EPC’s) are required for most properties when they are sold, let or built.
The responsibility for providing an EPC lies with the seller, landlord or builder. Residential and Commercial Property Assessments (EPC’s) can be provided.

The Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) became law in April 2018. This requires property owners intending to let out their property, both domestic and commercial, to achieve a minimum of an E grade in the EPC test for their property. We can advise you on the best way forward to achieve an E to comply with MEES.



Commercial Valuations: Birley Steele Lightfoot have significant experience of undertaking valuations on local/small sized commercial properties for both lender and private clients. Property types include guest houses, local/neighbourhood shops, small industrial properties, offices etc. We also carry out valuations on mixed used properties.

Valuations are undertaken for secured lending, property acquisition, insurance cover, taxation, matrimonial, probate and properties held in a SIPP (self-invested personal pension).

Professional Affiliations: Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Independent Surveyors and Valuers Association

Payment Options: Cash, Personal Checks, Invoice