Buying a London Property – Why an Independent Damp Survey is a Must

Property in London is the most expensive in the UK, which is even more reason to carry out due diligence before making a commitment, and in this short article, we explain why real estate acquisition in London demands a professional approach when it comes to damp, mould and timber rot.

What is an independent damp survey?

An independent damp survey is carried out by a certified damp surveyor, a professional who uses cutting-edge equipment to inspect a building. It is independent because the surveyor has no opinion one way or another, the building is inspected and a full report is sent to the customer’s inbox within 24 hours of the survey completion. 

Various types of moisture issues

The following can impact a building:

• Rising damp
• Condensation
• Penetrating damp
• Wet and dry rot
• Woodworm

Any of the above can cause serious damage to a building and early detection is crucial, which is one of the reasons you should never commit to buying a property until the building has been surveyed by a certified damp surveyor. A pre-purchase damp survey is the only way that you can be 100% certain that a building is free from damp, mould and timber rot.

Concealing damp

What does a property owner do when they wish to sell and the building has damp issues?

They could contact a damp-proofing company in London and repair the damage, which is what most people would do, or they could carefully conceal the signs of damp in the hope that a potential buyer would be unaware. Once the sale goes through, it doesn’t take long before the reality of the situation becomes apparent, but, of course, it is too late and the new owner must bear the cost of the remedial work. There is also the possibility that the seller has no idea that damp is present, as the tell-tale signs are not yet evident; either way, the new owner is liable for the repairs.

What does an independent damp survey entail?

At London Damp Specialists, we offer 3 levels of damp survey, which are as follows:

• Level 1 damp survey – The external and internal walls are inspected, looking for any signs of damp and mould. Ceilings and floors are also examined and digital equipment is used to accurately assess a building. 
• Level 2 damp survey – All of level 1, as well as a detailed inspection of roof timbers.
• Level 3 damp survey – All of levels 1 and 2, along with humidity tests, ventilation flow tests and the use of thermal imagery and drone imagery.
• We also offer an additional lab analysis of up to 10 samples of plaster to determine the moisture content.

A survey can take from 2-5 hours, depending on the level and the size of the building and the customer receives a detailed survey report in their inbox the following day.

If you are interested in a particular London property, contact London Damp Specialists on 020 7205 4886 or complete the survey booking form on this website and we will be in touch shortly.