Issue on survey for flat - wall with single skin construction

F37A

Hi

Please see below: 

The walls to the top floor of the building in which the subject is located are believed to be of single skin

construction clad externally in hung tiles. It should be noted that single skin construction contravenes

modern Building Regulations and by its very nature, is going to be more prone to penetrating damp and

condensation. Properties with large sections of single skin construction can be considered an unsuitable

security to mortgage lenders.

Any thoughts on just how bad this is? I wonder what proportion of flats in UK have this? or fairly benign

I will speak to my lender on this. But wondering if deal breaker if hard to get a mortgage. 

Thanks

user1977

You don't say whether this refers to the walls of the flat you're interested in, or somewhere upstairs from it?

F37A

user1977 said:

You don't say whether this refers to the walls of the flat you're interested in, or somewhere upstairs from it?

The walls to the top floor of the building in which the subject is located are believed to be of single skin

construction clad externally in hung tiles.

The above is what it says in survey. So the subject I believe is flat on 2nd floor of block

diystarter7

Hi
Any pics please?
Thanks

user1977

F37A said:

user1977 said:

You don't say whether this refers to the walls of the flat you're interested in, or somewhere upstairs from it?

The walls to the top floor of the building in which the subject is located are believed to be of single skin

construction clad externally in hung tiles.

The above is what it says in survey. So the subject I believe is flat on 2nd floor of block

That doesn't really help us! Are you buying a top floor flat?

F37A

user1977 said:

F37A said:

user1977 said:

You don't say whether this refers to the walls of the flat you're interested in, or somewhere upstairs from it?

The walls to the top floor of the building in which the subject is located are believed to be of single skin

construction clad externally in hung tiles.

The above is what it says in survey. So the subject I believe is flat on 2nd floor of block

That doesn't really help us! Are you buying a top floor flat?

yeah its a top floor flat, two floors, brick built.

FreeBear

Single skin of 4.5" (~115mm) brick or a 9" (~230mm) wall ?

The former is adequate for a garage or some other outbuilding, the latter quite common. Neither are up to current standard for a habitable space as the rules keep evolving. As your surveyor points out, condensation is likely to be an issue, and it is going to cost quite a bit to heat - Insulating the walls will help to mitigate this, but your lease may restrict what you can do. If the building is listed, that would add another level of hassle & cost to making any improvements.