Checking the risks behind a well-presented modern flat

Level 2 Building Survey, Haggerston, London E8

The brief

A buyer required an independent survey of a two-bedroom flat within a purpose-built mixed-use block. The interior appeared well maintained, but the assessment also needed to consider the building’s later alterations and shared fabric.

Our work

We found no evidence of structural movement and no active dampness within the flat. The principal concerns instead related to concealed roof drainage, deteriorated rear timber capping, guarding fixings, fire precautions and incomplete documentation. A previous patch repair to the roof junction warranted enquiries into the roof system, repair history and guarantees.

The outcome

The report set out a sequence of management-document requests and targeted inspections. It also identified flat-level safety and maintenance actions and the need to confirm responsibility for shared work. The result was a focused purchase checklist addressing issues that were not apparent from the interior’s decorative condition alone.

Scope and limitations

• Visual, non-intrusive inspection of accessible areas only.
• Concealed roof drainage could not be seen and was referred to targeted inspection.
• The building documentation available at the time of the survey was incomplete.

The client is identified here by role only, and the exact address is not published.