Our Property Articles
Defect Analysis, Identifying Roof Leaks
When damp staining appears inside a property, the instinctive reaction is often to assume that the roof has failed. That assumption can be expensive. A recent defect investigation into a period terraced property in London demonstrated exactly why a detailed...
What Does a Party Wall Award Cover?
A Party Wall Award is the document that sets out how works covered by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 are to proceed once a dispute has arisen and a surveyor, or surveyors, have been appointed. Its purpose is not simply to confirm that the Building Owner can carry out...
Defect Analysis Stopping Damp Ingress
Damp staining, blistered finishes and damaged plaster are often the first visible signs of water ingress. But the place where the damage appears is not always where the problem begins. Water can travel through walls, floors, service routes and concealed voids before...
Residential Valuation Guide
Residential property valuation is more than applying an average price per square foot. A Valuer’s valuation combines inspection, market evidence, comparable sales and professional judgement to arrive at a reasoned opinion of Market Value. At Stokemont, our approach is...
Defect Analysis When Building Works Cause Damage
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...
Defect Analysis When Building Movement Becomes a Bigger Problem
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....
Defect Analysis When Surveyors Get It Wrong!
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...
Defect Analysis Contractor Dispute
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...
Defect Analysis Diagnosing Damp
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...
Defect Analysis Understanding Cracks
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...
Can a Home Survey Save You £20,000?
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...
Your Tenant Has Altered the Building. Who Pays to Put It Right?
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...