What to Do if Your Home Valuation is Less Than an Offer?
Most residential purchases rely on mortgage finance, and therefore a lender’s valuation is usually required to establish that the price being paid for a property represents the ‘market value’. Paying a purchase price over the estimated market value can place the lender and buyer to the sale at additional risk. Therefore, the lender instructs an […]
What is Asbestos? Dangers and UK Regulations
Many buildings in the UK that were constructed in the past have used asbestos due to its desirable properties. The Main Benefit of Using Asbestos: Inexpensive Insulation Resilient and durable Asbestos is incredibly great and insulating heat and absorbing sound for insulation purposes alongside being fire resistant. However, only up until relatively recently the effects […]
Wood Rot: The Difference Between Dry Rot and Wet Rot
Wood rot is one of the leading causes of buildings’ damage – especially if they’re old or abandoned. It’s important to identify what kind of wood rot it is – dry or wet – and then learn how to treat it and what caused it (to prevent the rot from occurring again). The difference between dry […]
How to Prevent and Remove Damp Mould Growth in the House
Mould growth is more likely to be due to condensation than penetrating dampness on the whole but can be either-or. These two can come hand in hand, as penetrating moisture can lead to condensation. The most common areas of mould are bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchens. Our Building Surveyors in Kingston and Surrey have come across […]
Top 5 Things a Property Landlord Should Provide in an Unfurnished Apartment
When renting a property, it can be challenging to understand what is your responsibility and what is the responsibility of the landlord. There are the standard legal obligations for a landlord when tenants move in, such as: Drawing up an Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract (AST) Providing a How to Rent guide Protecting the Tenant’s […]
What to Look Out For if You’re Buying an Old House
Whether you’re a fan of traditional architecture and design or you want to buy a fixer-upper to put it back on the market, old homes bring numerous challenges that you should be aware of. Not only can specific problems cost you a fortune to fix, but they can also endanger your health and safety. […]
Pitched Roof: Types & Common Defects
Pitched roofs are the most common types of roofs found on buildings. They are most often used because they effectively shed water, whereas the other type of roofs, such as a flat roof, aren’t. A pitched roof is most likely to be found on the main buildings on most domestic properties. Types of Pitched Roofs […]
RICS Building Survey: Why It’s Essential for Home Buyers
Most of the time, mortgage lenders will request a Building Survey report for insurance purposes; this is mainly to ascertain significant defects that would not be covered in their insurance policy for the property. Moving into a new home can be an extremely stressful period in a person’s life. With current values in the property market, it […]
What’s a Homebuyer’s Report?
An HomeBuyer Report, or a homebuyer’s report, is a survey recommended for homebuyers in the UK. In March 2010, it replaced the Home Buyer Survey and Valuation. Why Do I Need A Homebuyer’s Report? A homebuyer’s report helps home buyers make an informed decision regarding their house search. The report will identify potential structural problems […]
What Causes Moisture in Buildings?
One of the most common causes of moisture in buildings is penetrating dampness. It includes any damp which has penetrated the building; however, it also provides plumbing leaks. On one of our building surveys in Kingston, we saw the causes of penetrating dampness from a cavity wall (generally post the 1920s). Penetrating damp from outside […]