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Buying a Leasehold Flat: Could Major External Repairs Create a Large Service-Charge Bill? A leasehold flat can look immaculate internally while forming part of a building that requires substantial external repair. The roof, walls, balconies, windows, drainage and communal areas may be maintained by the freeholder or management company, but the cost is commonly recovered from leaseholders through service charges. A buyer should therefore consider more than the condition of the

Buying a Property With Spray-Foam Roof Insulation: What Should Your Survey Investigate? Spray polyurethane foam can be applied to the underside of a roof to improve thermal performance. However, when it is installed retrospectively within an older roof, it can create important questions for buyers, surveyors, mortgage lenders and insurers. The presence of spray foam does not automatically mean that the roof is defective or that the property cannot be purchased. Equally, a cle

How Can a Home Survey Help You Renegotiate Before Exchange? Agreeing a purchase price does not necessarily mean that the condition of the property has been fully considered. Buyers often make an offer after a short viewing, before the building has been independently inspected. A home survey may identify structural movement, roof defects, dampness, defective alterations or other liabilities that were not apparent when the offer was made. Significant findings can provide a reas

Replacement Windows in Older Properties: What Problems Can a Building Survey Reveal? Replacement windows can make an older property warmer, quieter and easier to maintain. However, a recently installed double-glazed window should not automatically be assumed to be sound. Problems may arise from unsuitable materials, inadequate structural support, poor sealing, restricted ventilation or alterations to the original openings. Some defects are visible during a viewing, while othe

Removed Chimney Breasts and Altered Walls: What Should Buyers Check? Open-plan kitchens, enlarged living rooms and additional floor space can make an older property more attractive. These improvements often involve removing internal walls or chimney breasts. Properly designed and executed alterations can perform satisfactorily. However, the finishes visible during a viewing rarely reveal how the building above is supported or whether the work received appropriate approval. A

Why Do Floors Slope or Feel Uneven in Older London Properties? Sloping and uneven floors are common in older London houses and converted flats. A slight fall across a room may have existed for many decades without creating a serious structural concern. However, not every uneven floor should be dismissed as normal for the building’s age. Localised depressions, excessive movement or noticeable changes in level can indicate deteriorated joists, inadequate support, dampness or st

Buying a Property Near Mature Trees: Should Cracking and Subsidence Concern You? Mature trees can make a residential street or garden considerably more attractive. They provide shade, privacy, wildlife habitat and a sense of established character. Their presence does not mean that a property is suffering from subsidence. Equally, trees should not be dismissed where cracking, distorted openings or a history of structural movement exists. The correct assessment depends upon the

Buying a 1930s House: Which Defects Commonly Require Further Investigation? Houses constructed during the 1930s form a substantial part of London and suburban housing stock. Many provide generous rooms, bay windows, front and rear gardens and practical family accommodation. They are often described as traditionally built, but age, maintenance and decades of alteration can create significant differences between apparently similar properties. A house may retain most of its orig

Buying a Top-Floor Flat With a Roof Terrace: What Should You Check Before Exchange? A top-floor flat with a private roof terrace can be one of the most attractive forms of London accommodation. Elevated outdoor space, natural light and views can add considerable enjoyment and value. However, a roof terrace is more than a balcony or landscaped garden. It is an occupied area constructed above another part of the building, often directly over living accommodation. Its performanc

Buying a Recently Refurbished Property: What Defects Could Be Hidden? A recently refurbished property can be extremely attractive to a buyer. New kitchens, modern bathrooms, fresh decoration and contemporary flooring may suggest that substantial expenditure will not be required after completion. However, refurbishment can improve appearance without resolving the condition of the underlying building. In some cases, new finishes conceal dampness, cracking, defective services or

Buying a House With a Rear Extension: What Should Your Survey Investigate? Rear extensions are common throughout London. They can create larger kitchens, open-plan living areas and valuable additional accommodation. A well-designed and properly constructed extension can enhance a property considerably. However, the new structure must interact successfully with the original house, adjoining property, drainage, external ground and roof. Fresh decoration and modern finishes do n

Defective Building Work: When Is Repair No Longer Enough? Not every construction defect requires complete replacement. A loose tile may be refixed, an isolated plumbing joint replaced and a local crack repaired once its cause has been established. However, repeated patching is not always economical or technically reliable. Where defects are widespread, concealed or linked to the underlying design, another local repair may merely postpone substantial reconstruction. The correc

Damp in a Cellar: Rising Damp, Penetrating Damp or Poor Ventilation? Dampness is commonly encountered in cellars beneath Victorian and Edwardian houses across London. Many were constructed for storage rather than as dry habitable accommodation. Their walls may be in direct contact with surrounding ground, and the original construction may contain little or no effective protection against moisture penetration. The presence of dampness is therefore not always surprising. Howeve

Buying a Converted London Flat: Seven Issues Buyers Commonly Overlook Converted flats form a significant part of London’s housing stock. Many were originally Victorian or Edwardian houses and were later divided into separate dwellings. They can offer generous rooms, period features and homes within established residential areas. However, a conversion introduces considerations that do not usually arise when buying a conventional house. The purchaser is acquiring an interest wi

Loft Conversion Defects: The Most Common Problems We Find Loft conversions remain one of the most popular ways of creating additional living space within a property. When properly designed and constructed, they can add significant value and provide practical accommodation for growing families. However, loft conversions are also one of the areas where surveyors frequently encounter defects. Many issues are not immediately obvious and may remain hidden for years before becoming

Are We Measuring the Wrong Things in Buildings? The property industry is exceptionally good at measuring certain things. We measure value. We measure floor area. We measure rental income. We measure construction costs. We measure energy consumption. Yet some of the most important characteristics of a building remain surprisingly difficult to quantify. How healthy is the building? How resilient is it? How adaptable is it? How effectively does it support the people who use it?

Housing Disrepair Claims: What Makes a Good Expert Report? Housing disrepair claims frequently involve allegations relating to dampness, mould growth, water ingress, structural defects, inadequate heating, defective windows and a wide range of other building-related issues. In many cases, the outcome of a dispute depends heavily upon expert evidence. However, not all expert reports are equal. A good expert report should do far more than simply identify defects. Its purpose is

Buildings Need Health Checks, Not Just Surveys Most people only think about the condition of a building when something goes wrong. A leak appears. Cracks develop. A survey is required for a purchase. A tenant raises concerns. By that stage, however, the defect has often been present for months or even years. The challenge is not simply identifying defects. The challenge is identifying them before they become problems. How We Look After Buildings Consider how most people look

Why Surveyors Should Think More Like Doctors When most people think of a surveyor, they imagine someone identifying defects, producing reports and highlighting maintenance issues. Whilst these activities remain important, I have increasingly come to believe that the most effective surveyors have more in common with doctors than they do with inspectors. Both professions are fundamentally concerned with diagnosis. Symptoms Are Not The Same As Causes A doctor would not prescribe

Can You Move a Fence Without Your Neighbour’s Permission? Fence disputes are among the most common causes of neighbour disagreement across residential property. What often begins as a seemingly straightforward replacement fence or garden improvement can quickly escalate into arguments concerning ownership, boundaries, access and alleged loss of land. One of the most common questions homeowners ask is: “Can I simply move the fence if I believe it is in the wrong place?” The an