Homeowners should ensure they are not paying excessive charges for property repairs after last week’s earthquake, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyrs (RICS) has warned.

According to RICS, homeowners should look out for tell-tale signs such as cracks in ceilings or walls, which could result in damp and dry rot if left unattended, blocked drains which could lead to subsidence, and missing roof tiles. RICS highlighted that homeowners should rely on the expertise of a chartered building surveyor when assessing any potential damage to their property, in order to get the most out of their insurance claim.

Ian Potts, spokesperson for RICS, said: “If properties are left unchecked and damages are not routed out and repaired straight away, it could cause more extensive damage to the property and to homeowners’ wallets.”