Older, solid-walled homes
With 42% of local homes built before the First World War, expect stone or solid brick walls, lath-and-plaster ceilings and roof timbers that have been patched more than once.
Source: VOA, Mar 2025
Surveyors · Torquay, Devon
Surveyors in Torquay
Home surveys in Torquay: the local risks, the price picture and the right survey level, from a surveyor-led Devon practice.
Our suggestion for Torquay
Level 3 Building Survey
Most buyers in Torquay are better served by a Level 3 Building Survey. With so much older, solid-walled stock, the deeper inspection and repair advice of a Level 3 usually pays for itself. A Level 2 can still suit a newer, conventional home.
- 42% of homes in the 35 neighbourhoods where Torquay homes sold were built before 1919.
- 361 listed buildings in and around Torquay, 14 of them Grade I or II*.
Torquay market snapshot
In 2025, 780 homes sold in Torquay at a median price of £220,000, down 2% on 2024's £225,000.
- Median price, 2025
- £220,000
- Sales, 2025
- 780
- Median vs 2024
- -2.2%
- Leasehold share
- 36%
- Residents, Census 2021
- 52,034
| Type | Median |
|---|---|
| detached | £410,000 |
| semi-detached | £275,000 |
| terraced | £215,000 |
| flat/maisonette | £149,000 |
Sales mix: flat/maisonette 35%, terraced 35%, semi-detached 17%, detached 13%. TQ1, TQ2, TQ12. HM Land Registry, 2025, ONS built-up area. Residents: Torquay built-up area, ONS Census 2021.
What to look out for when buying in Torquay
Listed buildings
Historic England lists 361 buildings in and around Torquay, including Parish Church Of All Saints (Grade I); Parish Church Of St John The Evangelist (Grade I); Roman Church Of Our Lady, Help Of Christians And St Denis (Grade I). On a listed home, like-for-like repairs with traditional materials are the rule; your surveyor should flag anything that looks unconsented.
List entries: Parish Church Of All Saints · Parish Church Of St John The Evangelist · Roman Church Of Our Lady, Help Of Christians And St Denis
Source: Historic England
Conservation areas
Conservation areas here: Abbey Road, Babbacombe Downs, Barton, Belgravia, Cary Park and others. Permitted development rights are narrower inside a conservation area, so extensions, windows and solar panels may need planning permission.
Source: planning.data.gov.uk
Flood risk (rivers and sea)
River and sea flood risk is limited here: 1 of 100 sampled postcodes fall in Zone 2 or 3. Surface-water risk is a separate map worth a look.
Source: Environment Agency
Radon
The 1 km radon map square at the centre of Torquay is class 4: an estimated 5 to 10% of homes are above the radon Action Level. 100% of the sold postcodes we checked fall in a radon Affected Area. It's invisible and odourless, so the only way to know is a test; ask the seller, or budget for one after you move in.
Source: UKHSA/BGS
Ground and building stone
Under most of Torquay the bedrock is interbedded sandstone and conglomerate (38%) and mudstone, siltstone and sandstone (36%). In Devon, older homes on this ground are often cob (earth walls) or local stone; cob must stay dry, so look hard at renders, gutters and ground levels.
Source: BGS 625k
Ground stability
The BGS GeoSure 5 km hexagon covering Torquay shows moderate slope instability (landslides) potential. That's a broad screen, not a site assessment; look for cracking, sticking doors and leaning walls.
Source: BGS GeoSure
Coastal exposure
At roughly 1.5 km from the open sea, exposure matters: check render, chimneys, window seals and metalwork for salt and weather damage.
Source: Natural Earth
Leasehold flats
36% of 2025 sales in Torquay were leasehold. Check the lease length, ground rent, service charges and any planned major works before you commit.
Source: HM Land Registry
When Torquay's homes were built
Torquay LSOAs with 2025 sales. VOA, Mar 2025.
Selling in Torquay?
Thinking of selling in Torquay? 2025 medians by type: detached £410,000, semi-detached £275,000, terraced £215,000, flat/maisonette £149,000. Every home is different, which is why our market appraisal is in person, and free.
Need an EPC in Torquay? EPCs in Torquay. Request a quote for your sale or let.
Torquay survey questions
How much do houses cost in Torquay?
Based on HM Land Registry Price Paid Data, 780 homes sold in Torquay in 2025 with a median price of £220,000 (down 2% on 2024's £225,000). The most common type sold was flat/maisonette (35% of sales).
Which survey do I need for a house in Torquay?
We carry out RICS Level 2 and Level 3 surveys. Older housing is common here, so a Level 3 Building Survey is often the better fit. 42% of homes in the 35 neighbourhoods where Torquay homes sold were built before 1919. 361 listed buildings in and around Torquay, 14 of them Grade I or II*. Tell us the age and type of the house and we'll confirm.
Is Torquay in a radon Affected Area?
Yes, mostly: 100% of the 561 sold postcodes we checked are in an Affected Area, and the central 1 km square is class 4 (5 to 10% of homes above the Action Level).
Does Torquay flood?
1 out of 100 checked Torquay postcodes sit in Flood Zone 2 or 3, 1 of them in Zone 3. That's river and sea flooding; surface water is separate.
How many listed buildings are there in Torquay?
Historic England's list shows 361 listed buildings in and around Torquay: 3 Grade I, 11 Grade II* and 347 Grade II.
How do I get a survey quote in Torquay?
Online, in a couple of minutes: Survey Booker gives an instant price for Torquay homes. You can also call us.