Inspection Flashcards
What are the purposes of inspection?
Rent reviews and lease renewals - check for any improvements or damages
Valuation - to understand factors that can influence the value such as location, aspect, condition
purchase or sale - to check the condition of the property, access, car parking, location etc.
Property management - lease compliance, statutory compliance, defects, occupational details, landscaping, security.
What is the prime driver of value for offices?
Specification
According to VPGA 8, what matters can impact the markets perception on value?
A. Surrounding area, communications and facilities
B- Characteristics of the property (age, construction)
C- Characteristics of the site (natural hazards: flooding, non-natural hazards: Contamination)
D- Potential for redevelopment or development
According to the RICS professional standards and guidance: environmental risks and global real estate, 1st Edition (2018), what factors can negatively impact a valuation?
Contamination, flooding, asbestos, invasive non-native species, solar farms, windfarms, radon gas affected areas, poor EPC
What needs to be completed before visiting a premises or site?
Pre-assessment of hazards and risks likely to be encountered
If there is a requirement for PPE
What matters need to be considered before visiting a premises or site?
Travel, lone-working, condition of property, occupation, dangerous substances, diseases, access equipment, PPE, weather conditions, documentation (Previous inspection records).
What matters should be considered during the site inspection?
Structural stability
Sharp objects
Slip/trip hazards
Contamination
Weather conditions
What are key signs of structural instability that should be looked for on inspection?
Leaning/buldged walls, rotten beams and columns, corroded metal fire escapes/balconies
What timbers, glass and sharp objects should be looked out for on inspection?
Rotten and broken floors, projecting nails and screws, loose window glazing, broken glass
What are examples of unsafe atmospheres that should be considered during inspection?
Confined spaces with insufficient oxygen, rotting vegetation, stores containing flammable materials, excessive mould or fungi, insecticides/herbicides/fungicides
How should the risk of falls from height be assessed when working on site?
Using safety tested ladders, MEWPs, scaffolds and access towers, working in pairs. Sufficient RAMs needed and PPE should be worn at all including safety harnesses if needed
What are some examples of hidden traps, ducts and openings that you may come across on inspection?
Lift shafts, manholes
What are the risks associated with other people or animals that may be encountered on property inspections?
Squatters, trespassers, dogs or aggressive tenants
What items would you take with you on an inspection?
Phone with camera, tape measure, laser, file with plans and other supporting documentation, PPE, notebook and pen
What considerations should be made when undertaking an external inspection?
Location, public transport, contamination, flooding, comparable evidence, local market conditions, method of construction, car parking, repair of exterior
How can the age of a building be assessed?
Ask the client, research planning, land registry, architectural style
What safety equipment might you have with you?
Mobile phone, steel toe capped boots, hard hat, high vis jacket
Property management VS Valuation inspection?
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: Lease compliance, state of repair, details of occupier, security arrangements, maintenance issues
VALUATION: Location, tenure, form of construction, defects, condition, occupation details
What legislation covers inspections?
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
What equipment do you take out on property inspections?
Phone with camera
Laser disto/tape measure
PPE; high vis jacket
Pen and paper
Plans of the property
What protection could the tenant seek under Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938?
A tenant can apply to the court for protection against a landlord’s Section 146 notice for disrepair, provided the lease is for more than 7 years and has more than 3 years remaining. The court can delay, reduce, or even prevent enforcement of the repair obligations to protect the tenant from excessive or unnecessary costs
How could the Landlord get around the protection under the Leasehold Property (Repairs) Act 1938?
A landlord can serve a Section 146 notice during the last 3 years of the lease. The Act only applies when more than 3 years remain, so tenants can’t seek relief under it once the lease enters its final three years.
What are the organisational responsibilities in RICS Surveying Safely (2018)?
Management process designed to identify foreseeable risks and reduce the risks identified – i.e. have a H&S policy
Clear lines of accountability for H&S management
Training and information provided on H&S
Process to manage contractors and services
Have appropriate insurances
What are the individual responsibilities in Surveying Safely 2018?
Undertake Risk Assessments
Ensure H&S policies and procedures are practiced effectively
Recognise their competence
Understand the risks associated with relevant tasks
Responsible for their own and others’ H&S
Please can you tell me the 4 stages/types of inspection?
Desktop enquiries
Location inspection
External inspection
Internal inspection
What do you look for during external inspection?
Signs of forced entry or illegal squatters
Poor state of repair
Hazards EG smashed glass or Japanese knotweed
What do you look for during internal inspection?
Correct T in occupation
State of repair
Hazards / sharp objects
Lease compliance
Any alterations
Can you install an advertising board on a listed building?
No, cannot alter the external appearance of a listed building
What is a GOAD PLAN?
A GOAD Plan is a retail-focused street map showing unit layouts, occupiers, and access points
You refer to Workman’s Lone Working Policy - what is detailed in this?
Risks and potential hazards presented by lone working (i.e. violence)
Line manager responsibility (training records kept)
Lone worker responsibility (take reasonable steps to ensure H&S)
Risk assessment of lone workers. (Employee, location, work activity)
Have you ever inspected for fit-out works? what would you look out for?
Equality Act 2010 compliance
Building regulation compliance
Ensure that works have been carried out in accordance with the Licence to Alter
Good condition of works to protect landlord interest
No structural damage
How does Workman’s lone policy relate to RICS guidance?
It adheres to the RICS Professional Standard Surveying Safely, 2nd Edition (2018)
Pre-assessment
Ensure phone is charged
Diarize inspection
Let colleagues know
When a T takes on a lease how would you ensure it remains in a good state of repair?
Implement a schedule of condition.
What is the risk control hierarchy?
Elimination - redesign so hazard is removed
Substitution - replace with a less hazardous material or work
Engineering controls - Use tools to control and prevent
Administrative controls - use procedures to control and prevent
Please could you outline the recommendations contained within the RICS ‘Surveying Safely’ publication which you have adopted in your work.
Carry out a risk assessment before visiting a site
Checking with the building / site manager whether or not I will need PPE
Take a charged phone with me
Diarise the inspection
Notify my colleagues, telling them my ETA and when I intend to return to the office/home
Be aware of the firm’s panic phrase
Sign in/out of a construction site
What would you do before undertaking an inspection of a tenanted property?
Review lease
Give proper notice to the tenant
Analyse all relevant information
Take necessary PPE
What is Surveying Safely?
Refers to the RICS Professional Standard Surveying Safely, 2nd Edition (2018)
Lays out basic, good practice H&S principles for RICS Members and regulated Firms
Introduced the ‘safe person’ concept.
You’ve stated you’re familiar with RICS Surveying Safely, what does that advise on lone inspections?
Not ideal to go alone to vacant properties
Put inspection in Outlook diary and list full address of property and ETA of arrival/departure
Lone worker to confirm when they leave and arrive back to office/home
If emergency: contact manager/colleague who knows you’re on site, if not then contact site staff member and/or security firm used by that site
Can you name sections of Surveying Safely?
Health and Safety requirements of firms and individuals
RICS members places of work
Assessing Hazards and Risks
Occupational hygiene and Health
Visiting premises or sites
Fire Safety
Fire Safety Checks
Contractor Management
Residential section
What frequency do you inspect your tenancies, and how is this determined?
Dependent on:
Insurers requirements
Client requirement (agreed in the PMA)
Workman requirements (Usually quarterly for Service Charge properties and Annually for FRI)
Explain a key issue raised by RICS Surveying Safely 2nd edition?
RICS considers the concept of a ‘safe person’ to mean that each individual assumes individual behavioural responsibility for their own, their colleagues’ and others’ health and safety while at work.
What is radon?
Natural, radioactive, odourless and tasteless gas
Low levels in outside air but collects in enclosed places like buildings
What is the risk of radon exposure?
Long term exposure increases risk of lung cancer
How is radon mitigated in buildings?
Radon sump
Improved ventilation
Name some common Asbestos Containing Materials?
Insulation lagging, insulation boards, cloth in fire blankets, cladding, ceiling linings
What is a deleterious material?
A deleterious material is any building material or substance that, over time, can cause damage to the structure, pose a health or safety risk, or adversely affect the performance or value of a property
Name some deleterious materials.
High alumina cement
Lead-based paint
Calcium chloride in concrete
Urea formaldehyde foam insulation
What is high alumina cement, and what is its risk?
fast-setting and high early strength cement that loses strength overtime due to conversion, especially in damp conditions. can become unstable leading to structural failure
What is calcium chloride cement, and what is its risk?
Accelerated the time taking for cement to set, used until 1970s
Caused corrosion to embedded metal - reinforced cement
What is mundic, and what is its risk?
Mineral mine waste found in Devon and Cornwall
Used as aggregate in concrete blocks up to 1950s
Chemical changes caused concrete to deteriorate
What are the contamination risks that need to be considered on property inspections?
Asbestos, chemicals, legionella (A/C or water supplies)
How can contamination exist at a property?
Radon gas, methane gas, diesel, oil
What are contamination signs that a surveyor should look out for?
Oil, evidence of chemicals
What are three typical phases of investigation for contamination?
Review site history, investigate to identify extent of contamination (can take soil samples), remediation report setting out options and monitoring
When instructed to value a contaminated site, what approaches should be considered?
Do not provide advice until received specialist report, caveat advice with appropriate disclaimer highlighting assumptions, deduct remediation costs from gross site value
What is Land Remediation Relief?
Form of tax relief that applies to contaminated or derelict land in the UK
What are hazardous materials?
Materials that are harmful to health
What are signs that deleterious materials are present?
Brown staining on concrete
What should you do if you discover hazardous materials on inspection?
Recommend specialist report and make appropriate assumptions as required
What should you do if you discover asbestos?
Check asbestos register to confirm it is on record, if not then instruct asbestos survey
If undisturbed, then does not need to be removed
What is Japanese Knotweed?
an invasive non-native plant species in the UK, known for its aggressive growth and extensive root system that can damage foundations, drains, and hard surfaces.
What does Japanese Knotweed look like?
Purple stems, green leaves, white flower produced in late summer and early autumn
Why is Japanese Knotweed a concern for property owners and managers?
Difficult to control, expensive to eradicate (need specialist), damages hard surfaces, foundations and tarmac
Lenders may refuse a loan if it is present at the property
What are consequences of letting Japanese Knotweed spread?
Criminal offence under Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Local Authority can issue Antisocial Behaviour Order (ASBO) and fines
What are invasive species that property owners and managers should be aware of?
Japanese Knotweed, Hybrid Knotweed
What RICS publication relates to asbestos?
(RICS Professional Standard Asbestos 2021) Asbestos Legal Requirements and Best Practice for Property Professionals and Clients, 4th Edition 2021
What RICS publication relates to Japanese knotweed?
RICS Professional Standard: Japanese Knotweed and Residential Property, 1st Edition 2022
When was Asbestos outlawed?
1985 - Blue & Brown
1999 - White
How would you undertake a contamination survey?
I would not be competent to undertake such a survey
If I suspected contamination from an inspection, I would take a photo, note any details, and notify my Client recommending a competent professional is instructed to review.
Flemish v English Bond brickwork?
Flemish = stretchers and headers alternate in each course of bricks
English = stretchers in one course, headers in next course
How thick is a solid brick wall?
230mm or 9 inches wide
What is a solid wall?
Typically two bricks wide, no gaps in between and alternative mix of headers and stretchers
What is a cavity wall?
Two leaves of brickwork
C.280mm / 11 inches thick with plaster finish
Gap of 50-75mm between two leaves of brickwork
Cavity wall ties in the gap
From external inspection only, how can it be determined if a brick wall is of solid or cavity construction?
Presence of headers for solid wall, absence of headers for cavity wall
What are cavity wall ties?
Used to join two leaves of cavity wall together providing additional support
Prevents water from transferring to the outside of the wall
Twist at center means water drips down through cavity
What are the different types of cavity wall ties?
Butterfly, vertical twist, double triangular
What size is standard brick?
215 x 102 x 65mm
What size is a standard block?
440 x 100 x 215mm
What is a rafter and purlin roof?
Roof constructed with purlins and rafters
What are rafters?
Beams of a roof that are angled upward from the ground, and meet at top of gable at ridge beam
What are purlins?
The horizontal beams of a roof that are used for structural support
What is a roof truss?
Structure that consists of wood or steel joined in triangular shape to support weight of roof
What are the different types of roof truss?
Monopitch, asymmetrical, or attic truss
What is a building frame?
Structure in which weight is carried by skeleton or framework
Usually use steel or reinforced concrete
What are the characteristics of a Grade A office?
Located in desirable area
New or highly maintained Structures
steel or reinforced concrete frame
raised floor with 150mm void
suspended ceiling with 350mm void
2.6m clear floor to ceiling height
lifts
HVAC systems,
LG7 Compliant lighting
BREEAM Rating - excellent
excellent DDA,
high EPC rating (A or B)
car parking
cycle racks
Gym, lockers, showers
Food court
What are the characteristics of a Grade B office?
Grade A 10-20 years ago
Well maintained
Systems are functional but no longer industry leading
What are the characteristics of a Grade C office?
Located in less desirable area
Older than Grade A or Grade B
Out of date furnishings and no DDA access
Poor maintenance
What are the two main methods of construction of new office buildings?
Steel or concrete frame
Steel frame - less columns and wider span between columns
Concrete frame - more columns, lower floor heights and shorter span between columns
What are the different types of air conditioning systems?
VAV (Variable Air Volume) - high cost but flexible
Fan Coil - low cost initially but high running cost
Mechanical Ventilation - fresh air is moved around the building
What is R22 refrigerant?
Colourless gas used in refrigerant air conditioning
Illegal as it is a greenhouse gas with high global warming implications
What is the difference between comfort cooling and air conditioning?
A/C filters (conditions) the air whereas comfort cooling just cools it and re-circulates
What is difference between CAT A and CAT B fit out?
CAT A – fit out of shell and core basic internal framework of the building.
CAT B – A finished office space that has been tailored to the exact requirements of the client.
What is HVAC?
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning – all of which can be provided by a HVAC system in a single installation
What is a portal frame?
Type of structural frame with beams supported by columns at either end
Typically spans 15-50m
Roof pitch between 5-10 degrees (6 commonly adopted)
Wall and roof cladding: Plastic coated profiled steel sheeting with insulation
What is the basic construction of an industrial or warehouse premises?
Steel portal frame, profile steel cladding
What are the benefits of a portal frame structure?
Large spaces can be enclosed with little use of material (lower costs)
What is considered optimal site cover for an industrial development?
40%, as 50% upwards will likely lead to congestion.
What is the floor loading requirement for industrial buildings?
Minimum of 30-40KN/sqm
What is typical office coverage for industrial properties?
10% of total floor area
What is the minimum eaves height in an industrial unit?
8 meters
What is the typical fit out of industrial properties?
Roller shutter doors, landscaped to site perimeter, office area may have carpet, heating etc.
Some may have dock levellers.
What is a dock leveler?
Height-adjustable platform used to bridge the difference in height and distance between warehouse floor and vehicle
What is 3 phase power and why is it needed in industrial properties?
Accommodates higher loads, and lots of electrical equipment needs it i.e. plant and heavy machinery, heating systems, A/C systems and motors/pumps
Describe a typical industrial warehouse?
Steel portal frame, profile steel cladding, roller shutter doors, concrete screed floor, 10% office space, utility services might be capped off (gas and water), 3 phase electricity in place if Grade A, 40KN per sqm floor loading capacity
What is the Apex point?
he highest point on a building – top of the roof pitch
What is a typical retail unit?
Location of paramount importance - prime, secondary, tertiary
Modern unit - Rectangle with depth 3-4 times the width
What is the typical specification of new retail units?
Steel or concrete frame, services capped off, concrete floor, shell condition with no shop front ready for retailers own fit out
Where will brickwork typically crack?
Along mortar joints and at narrowest section
What is triangular cracking indicative of?
Lintel failure
What are the 4 types of cracking typically seen in brickwork construction?
Horizontal line, triangular, stepped, cracking running to floor level
What is horizontal line cracking indicative of?
Cavity wall tie failure
What is cracking running down to ground level indicative of?
Below ground movement
What is stepped cracking indicative of?
Structural failure
What are the 4 types of damp?
Penetrating
Rising
Condensation
Plumbing failure
What are the three causes of rising damp?
No damp proof course, failed damp proof course, or bridged damp proof course
What is an inherent defect?
Defect in design or material that has always been present
What is a sign of condensation in a property?
Black mold growth
What is a latent defect?
Hidden or concealed defect that could not have been discovered during a reasonable inspection
What would you do if you identified a building defect during an inspection?
Take photo, try to establish cause, inform client, recommend specialist advice from building surveyor or structural engineer
What are the three common causes of defect?
Movement, water and defective materials
What are the different types of movement?
Subsidence, heave, cracking and thermal expansion
What is subsidence?
The vertical downward movement of a building foundation caused by the loss of support beneath the foundation
What is wet rot?
Fungal attack that effects timber when it becomes damp - wet, soft timber, visible fungal growth, poor structural stability
What is heave?
Upward movement of ground beneath foundation
What is dry rot?
Wood decay caused by fungi that spread their spores and destroy the timber as spores continue to germinate and grow into mycelium
What are common defects in period residential, office and shop buildings?
Dry rot, wet rot, tile slip on roof, damp penetration, water ingress around door, structural movement around windows
What are common defects in modern industrial buildings?
Roof leaks, damaged cladding, water damage from burst pipes, cracking in brick work
What are common defects in modern office buildings?
Damp penetration, water damage from burst pipes, cavity wall tie failure, poor mortar joints, damaged cladding, structural movement
What are 4 common forms of foundation?
Trench/strip footings, raft, piled, pad
Other than building defects, what tenant breaches of covenant are you aware of?
Breach in user clause
Breach in repair covenant
Breach in alienation provision
What is trench or strip footing foundation, and what are they used for?
Shallow foundation that avoids bricklaying below ground by filling trench with concrete
What is a raft foundation and when are they used?
Shallow, slab foundation reinforced by concrete slabs of uniform thickness
What is a piled foundation and when are they used?
Long, slender reinforced concrete cylinders used for large structures
What is a pad foundation?
Generally shallow, pads support single-point loads like columns and frames
What is efflorescence?
White marks caused by salts in brickwork
What is spalling?
Surface of brick starts to crumble due to freeze/thaw action after it saturated in winter months
How is damp measured?
Damp meter
How do you identify rising damp?
Does not go above 1.5m
How do you prevent damp penetration?
Ensure gutters are cleared of leaves and are in good condition, down pipes are unblocked and correctly linked to drainage points, ensure damp proof course is functional and has not been breached
What is the difference between a damp proof membrane and a damp proof course?
DPM stops damp coming up through the floor
DPC is built into brickwork to stop damp rising up mortar joints
How do you measure eaves height?
Eaves height is measured from the finished floor level (usually internal ground floor slab) up to the underside of the eaves — which is the lowest point of the roof structure where it meets the external wall.
