A property can look Instagram ready while harbouring defects that could cost tens of thousands of pounds to rectify. In a market where renovation costs have surged, a RICS survey is no longer just a recommendation. It is your financial shield.
At Stokemont, we leverage over 30 years of property knowledge to look past the cosmetic staging and identify the true health of the building.
The Structural Big Three We Look For
1. Active vs. Historic Movement Many Victorian and Edwardian homes in London and the South East have settled over the decades. We distinguish between historic movement, which is often benign, and active subsidence. Active movement is frequently caused by leaking drains or the notorious clay shrinkage found in London soils. This is a critical distinction because active subsidence can make a property uninsurable and virtually impossible to resell.
2. Roof Timber Fatigue We don’t just look at the tiles from the street. Our surveyors inspect the loft void for roof spread and purlin failure. This is especially common in older homes where original slates have been replaced by heavy modern concrete tiles. If the internal timber structure hasn’t been reinforced to carry that extra weight, the walls can literally be pushed outward over time.
3. The Damp Cover Up We are trained to spot masking. This is where fresh paint or thick wallpaper is applied weeks before a sale to hide penetrating damp or rising salts. Using professional moisture meters and thermal imaging, we identify the moisture levels that a standard viewing would miss.
Safety Hazards: The Non Negotiables
Our surveys often uncover silent killers that a standard viewing misses:
- Amateur Electrics: With the rise of DIY renovations, we frequently find non compliant wiring and overloaded circuits that pose a significant fire risk.
- Asbestos Awareness: For any property built before the year 2000, we flag materials like textured coatings (Artex), insulation, or floor tiles. These require specialist and expensive removal which must be factored into your budget.
- Gas and Heating: We check for poorly maintained systems or signs of incomplete combustion which could indicate carbon monoxide risks.
The Stokemont Verdict: When to Walk Away
At Stokemont, our brand mantra is RIPE: Respect, Integrity, Passion, and Ethics. Integrity means giving you the hard truth, even if it means you don’t buy the house.
If a survey identifies a Condition Rating 3 for active structural movement, pervasive dry rot, or significant rising damp, and the seller refuses to acknowledge the cost of repair, we strongly advise walking away.
Buying a money pit in a high interest environment is a mistake you cannot afford. Our goal is to ensure you make an informed decision based on facts, not emotions.
Whether you are buying a terraced house in Enfield or a luxury flat in Marylebone, our detailed reporting provides the clarity you need.
