Do I need to get a full survey on a flat in a block?

theAnarchist

Hi I am thinking about purchasing a flat in a block of flats. It's a three storey block with six flats.

The local council are the leaseholders and it's on the third floor.

How could a surveyor perform a full building survey?

Thanks

olly300

They need access to the roof space.

other2010

How to gain access to the roof?
Do they need to make an appointment with the freeholder of the flats (council or management company whichever it is) and then also make arrangements with the EA/current residents for entry into the flat?

I can envisage delays occurring if either party do not act fast and co-operate.



I'm also looking at a 3rd floor flat in a 5 floor block. Would like a full structural as the building is from the 1930s, but converted from offices into flats in 1986. It has flat (concrete?) roofs which I gather can pose more a problem than tiled sloping ones.

G_M

For a full survey they need access to a lot more than just the roof space! On a 5 floor block the survey will be expensive, and as you say, need freeholder consent.

Normally with these properties the buyer asks the freeholder for details of planned maintenance in the next 5 years. the trouble is even if no major maintenance is currently planned, they may prepare a plan for it next year. And it may be very expensive. If most flats are still owned by the council, you, as a minority private leaseholder, will have little say in what works are done, when, by who, and at what price.

poppysarah

When buying a flat it should be possible to do a "mental health survey" on the neighbours....