Appalling fire risks found HomeBuyers Report in London's Fulham area

Home Buyers Survey in London condemns 'patch-up' job as dangerous, suggests immediate removal

During a Home Buyers Survey in London, near Fulham, tiles made of polystyrene or polyurethane were found fitted to the property's ceilings.

The Surveyor insisted that they should be removed, as the raw material is very flammable, and these tiles constitute a known serious fire risk. Polystyrene also gives off highly poisonous gases when burnt, exacerbating the danger.

Furthermore, this material is known to wear away electrical cable insulation, and as electrical wiring was found near the polystyrene tiles the Surveyor recommended that this also be addressed urgently.

It was commented during the Home Buyers Survey that these types of tiles are often applied in order to conceal defective ceilings, and so their removal may expose an urgent need to replace the ceiling. This could be very expensive work, and thus it was strongly suggested that this matter be investigated before the exchange of contracts. It may save the new occupants a lot of money and hassle to have the necessary work done by the

Dampness problems discovered

The wall adjacent to the French window of this London flat was also riddled with moisture damage.

Unfortunately, due to the age of the property, it would be hard to solve this problem in any other way than comprehensive replastering, which the surveyor set out in the HomeBuyer Report.  This was useful information for the would-be occupants, and should have encouraged them to negotiate on the property's price.

Further inspections needed

The electrics and gas were also found to be need up-to-date certification from appropriately-qualified professionals. This ideally should be done by the seller before the house sale completes.

Potential asbestos

It was stated in the Home Buyers Survey in Fulham, London that the soffits around the property were suspected to contain asbestos fibres, and due to this the surfaces should not be drilled or disturbed until advice had been given by an appropriately qualified professional.  Whislt no immediate needs for repair were suggested,  the surveyor pointed out that the soffits were around 20 years old and so it might not be long until an asbestos professional would be needed to oversee any work on this area of the house – this, it was pointed out, can be very expensive.

Bathroom work needed

The bathroom was found to be needing work in a number of areas before the exchange of contracts: rewiring, the removal of polystyrene tiles in the ceiling, new plumbing, better mechanical ventilation and a general redecoration.

There was also a redundant heating flue at the front of the property that required removal.