A mould survey focuses on visible mould growth, musty odours and health-related concerns. We map where mould is growing in your London flat or house, what is feeding it (condensation, leaks, cold bridges, poor ventilation) and how far it has spread. A standard damp survey focuses first on the moisture source in the building fabric (rising damp, penetrating damp, plumbing leaks, roof ingress). In practice, most London mould surveys we carry out combine both: we diagnose the moisture problem and give you a clear plan to remove mould safely and stop it coming back.

Yes. In London we regularly see wet rot in damp sub-floors and joinery, and dry rot where long-term leaks or poor ventilation have affected structural timbers. During a timber and rot or mould survey we assess the type of decay, how far it has spread and whether structural elements such as joists, plates or lintels are at risk. Where needed we recommend opening-up, structural input or timber replacement so you and your contractor know exactly what needs to happen.

We are not medical professionals, so we cannot diagnose health conditions. What we can do is assess whether mould growth and moisture levels in your London property are high enough to be a concern and what is driving them. Black mould on cold external walls and around windows is usually linked to condensation; other colours and patterns can indicate longer-term leaks or persistently high humidity. Where specialist air or surface sampling is genuinely justified, we explain why and signpost options so you are not pushed into unnecessary, expensive lab tests.

Yes. For mould and condensation issues we always look at how the property is used as well as the building fabric. That typically includes extractor fans, trickle vents, window use, internal doors, clothes-drying, heating patterns and any existing systems such as PIV units. The goal is to separate building-related defects from day-to-day living so any mould action plan for your London home is realistic and fair.

Yes. For rented properties we can provide a clear, written mould and condensation report that explains:

• what type of damp or mould is present,
• the most likely causes (building defects, ventilation, heating, or a mix), and
• practical steps for both landlord and tenant.

Many London landlords, managing agents and tenants use these reports when resolving complaints, agreeing works or documenting that reasonable steps have been taken.

Yes. If you would like confirmation that repairs and mould cleaning have worked, we can carry out a shorter follow-up visit or virtual check. We compare moisture readings, surface conditions and ventilation against the original survey so you have before-and-after evidence for your own records, for tenants or for future buyers.

A condensation survey is designed for homes where the main issue is steam, humidity and cold surfaces rather than obvious leaks or rising damp. We focus on how moisture is produced and removed: cooking, showers, drying clothes indoors, ventilation, insulation and cold bridges. A full damp survey is still best when you are not sure whether the problem is condensation or something like penetrating damp or a plumbing leak. If you are mainly seeing streaming windows and black mould in corners, a condensation-led survey is often the most efficient starting point in London properties.

Yes. On in-person condensation surveys we typically record relative humidity, air temperature and surface temperatures, and sometimes deploy data loggers where longer-term monitoring is useful. Combined with visual inspection, this shows whether the home is genuinely at high risk of condensation and mould, or whether a specific room or cold bridge is to blame.

We do not sell or install ventilation equipment, so we are free to be honest about what you really need. In many London homes, correctly-specified extractor fans, trickle vents and modest behaviour changes are enough. In others, especially small, tightly sealed flats, a PIV or other whole-home system may be worth considering. We explain the pros and cons in your situation so you can brief your chosen contractor with a clear specification instead of relying solely on sales advice.

Yes. Councils and housing associations increasingly expect evidence-based reports when dealing with damp and mould complaints. Our condensation surveys in London set out what we found, why it is happening and what reasonable steps are needed to reduce the risk. We do not decide legal responsibility, but the documentation can support discussions between tenants, landlords and housing officers.

For simpler issues, such as a couple of patches of mould or condensation on windows, we can often start with a virtual condensation assessment using photos, video and a structured call. That is usually enough to identify obvious ventilation and heating issues and give you a practical action plan. Where there is a history of leaks, structural concerns or conflicting opinions, an in-person visit with readings in your London property is still the safest option.

Electronic roof leak detection (ELD) is a non-destructive way to test flat roofs, balconies and terraces for pinhole leaks and membrane failures. A special tester passes a small electrical current across the waterproof layer; where water has broken through, the circuit completes and pinpoints the breach. We recommend ELD on many London flat roofs, podium decks and terraces where visual checks alone cannot explain water coming into flats below.

Yes. As part of a damp or leak investigation we can arrange or coordinate electronic testing of:

• flat roofs over top-floor flats,
• podium slabs and courtyards above car parks, and
• balconies and roof terraces over lower units.

The aim is to map exactly where water is getting through so your roofing contractor is not guessing, which is particularly important in large London mansion blocks and mixed-use buildings.

The testing itself is non-invasive: we do not cut into membranes or strip finishes just to “see what is going on”. If ELD shows a localised breach, any opening-up is targeted so your roofer only lifts what is necessary. That usually saves both time and cost compared with guesswork or repeated patch repairs.

Yes. Our role is to diagnose and document: identify where water is entering, what is likely to be causing it and how extensive the risk is. A roofing contractor is still needed to carry out repairs or re-roofing. Our reports and marked-up photos give roofers a clear brief, which usually results in more accurate quotes and fewer “try this and see” visits.

Yes. Many building owners now ask for an integrity test on new waterproofing before handover. Electronic leak detection can confirm whether a new roof, podium deck or terrace is watertight before it is signed off, helping avoid disputes later between installers, main contractors and freeholders in London.

Yes. If a RICS homebuyer or building survey has flagged possible damp, high moisture readings or visible mould, the next logical step is a specialist pre-purchase damp survey. General surveys are deliberately cautious; they rarely diagnose the exact cause or likely cost. A dedicated damp survey in London goes further: we identify the type of damp, trace the moisture path, assess any mould or timber risk and outline realistic remedial options so you can decide whether to renegotiate, proceed or walk away.

Ideally, you book a specialist damp and timber survey after your offer is accepted and once the valuation or homebuyer report has been done. That way you have the initial surveyor’s comments to hand and we can focus on the specific concerns. Booking too early risks paying for a survey on a property you later reject; leaving it too late can delay exchange. We work within typical London conveyancing timescales and will tell you if demand is unusually high.

Where safe access is available and it is agreed in advance, we can inspect basements, lofts and key outbuildings as part of a pre-purchase damp survey in London. That often includes lower-ground flats, coal stores, vaults and roof voids in converted houses. If a space is inaccessible or unsafe, for example sealed voids or live construction, we state the limitation clearly in the report so you can decide whether to arrange opening-up or further investigation later.

Yes. London buyers are often juggling damp, roofs, windows and general upgrades at the same time. We can structure recommendations into priority bands (urgent safety or structural issues, medium-term maintenance and longer-term improvements) so you know what to tackle first and what can reasonably wait. Where appropriate we also indicate relative cost levels, such as low, moderate or higher investment, rather than trying to replace a contractor’s quote.

There is no single rule, and we cannot give legal advice, but in practice landlords usually commission surveys where the building fabric may be at fault, while some tenants choose to pay privately to obtain independent evidence. Our job is simply to provide clear, unbiased findings that either party can use when agreeing works or, if necessary, discussing the case with the council, housing association or a legal advisor.

Yes. Insurers typically want to know where the water came from, how long it is likely to have been active and what damage has occurred. Our damp and leak surveys in London document this with readings, photos and commentary. We do not handle claims for you, but policyholders and loss adjusters often use our reports to decide which repairs are necessary and whether the damage appears sudden and accidental or long-term.

Our reports can form part of the evidence bundle for a solicitor, ombudsman or local authority, especially where there is a history of complaints or health concerns in a London property. We cannot say whether compensation will be awarded, but we can provide clear, professional documentation of the condition of the property, the likely causes and the steps we advised at the time.

Yes. For landlords, housing providers and managing agents we can group surveys across multiple flats or buildings in London and nearby counties. This helps you identify patterns, for example the same defect across a whole block, and prioritise spend. Portfolio surveys are usually scheduled as one or more block days with a bundle of reports delivered in a consistent format.

Where availability allows, we will always try to prioritise severe leaks, active flooding or extensive mould that may affect health or cause structural damage. If we cannot attend as quickly as you would like, we may recommend a virtual triage first so you have immediate guidance while an in-person slot is arranged.

Yes. Most of our work is across London’s core housing stock: Victorian and Edwardian terraces, 1930s semis, mansion blocks, ex-local-authority flats and newer developments in areas such as Canary Wharf, Stratford and the Docklands. Each behaves differently. Solid-wall terraces often suffer from bridging and sub-floor issues, while high-rise flats tend to struggle with condensation and balcony or roof-terrace leaks. Our surveys and recommendations are tailored to these specific London property types, not just generic national templates.

Yes. In addition to central and inner London boroughs we regularly work in outer London and nearby parts of Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire, especially where leaks or mould in one flat are affecting another. If you are unsure whether we cover your postcode, send us the address and a brief description and we will confirm before you book.

We cover all London boroughs and the City of London. That includes:

• Central & West London: City of London, Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Hammersmith and Fulham, Camden.
• North & North-West London: Islington, Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Harrow, Brent, Hillingdon.
• East & North-East London: Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest, Redbridge, Barking and Dagenham, Havering.
• South & South-West London: Southwark, Lambeth, Wandsworth, Merton, Sutton, Croydon, Lewisham, Greenwich, Bexley, Bromley, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Ealing, Hounslow.

If you are not sure whether we cover your street or estate, send us the postcode and a short description and we will confirm before you book.

Yes. As well as Greater London we regularly survey homes and commercial properties in nearby parts of Surrey, Kent, Essex and Hertfordshire. Typical areas include:

• Surrey: Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Kingston and surrounding towns.
• Kent: Bromley, Orpington, Dartford, Sevenoaks.
• Essex: Romford, Ilford, Brentwood, Loughton.
• Hertfordshire: Watford, St Albans, Hemel Hempstead, Potters Bar.

If your property is just outside these areas, send us the postcode and we will let you know if we can attend or recommend an alternative.

Yes. We work across all London postcode areas, including E, EC, N, NW, SE, SW, W and WC. We regularly survey flats and houses in areas such as Hackney and Shoreditch (E), Islington and Highbury (N), Camden and Hampstead (NW), Brixton and Clapham (SW), Greenwich and Lewisham (SE), and central districts around London Bridge, Waterloo and the City. If you tell us the postcode we can confirm availability and the best type of survey for your area.