Construction works to one property can sometimes result in cracking, plaster damage and movement being reported within the neighbouring building. The difficult part is establishing what damage is new, whether it is still moving and what should reasonably be done to...
Cracking inside a property can sometimes be dismissed as routine movement. However, when cracking is accompanied by uneven floors, movement around window bays, debonded finishes and external masonry defects, the issue may be more significant than simple decoration....
A survey can have a significant influence on a property transaction and, in some cases, on the price ultimately agreed between buyer and seller. However, Level 2 and Level 3 Home Survey reports are ultimately professional opinions. Different surveyors can inspect the...
Building works do not always go to plan. A refurbishment may begin with an agreed scope and price, but disputes can arise where works are incomplete, workmanship is questioned, services remain unfinished or the amount paid no longer appears to reflect the work...
Damp is one of those defects that can be easy to see but much harder to diagnose properly. A stained wall, cracked plaster or peeling paint may show where moisture is appearing, but not necessarily where it is coming from. Water can track through masonry, around...
Cracking in a property can be worrying, but it does not automatically mean there is a serious structural problem. Buildings move over time as they respond to changes in temperature, moisture, loading, alterations and ground conditions. The important point is to...
Buying a property is likely to be one of the largest financial commitments you will ever make. However, when budgets are stretched by deposits, legal fees, mortgage costs and Stamp Duty, buyers can sometimes be tempted to reduce their pre-purchase costs by foregoing a...
Commercial alterations can become a major issue when a lease ends. A tenant may have obtained permission to carry out works, but that does not necessarily mean the alterations can remain indefinitely. What happens to alterations at lease expiry? The answer depends on...
If your neighbour is planning an extension, loft conversion, basement or other substantial works, you may receive a Party Wall Notice. It is easy to dismiss the notice as just another piece of paperwork. However, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 can give adjoining owners...
Discovering that your neighbour has started building work without receiving a Party Wall Notice can be frustrating. However, the appropriate response depends on the nature of the works and whether the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 actually applies. Does every building...
