RICS Level 3 Structural Survey E6 | East Ham & Beckton

E6 covers a broad spread of homes, from Victorian and Edwardian terraces in East Ham to modern new-build flats in Beckton. A lot of the period stock here dates from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, built in traditional brick, so the familiar traits of older London housing tend to show up. Our inspectors regularly encounter subsidence movement, rotted timber, outdated electrical systems and damp penetration in properties of this age.

Terraced houses in E6 average around £447,000, while semi-detached properties climb to over £500,000, so the sums involved are not small. A Level 3 Survey gives a detailed picture of any structural issues before completion, which can put you in a position to renegotiate the price or ask for repairs if serious defects come to light. In newer developments such as Beckton Parkside, it can also pick up snagging issues or construction defects that the untrained eye might miss.

Price growth in the area has been strong, with 7.1% in E6 1 and 1.8% in E6 2 over the past year, which helps explain why property investors and families are drawn here. That growth has been matched by more building work, so the quality and condition of homes can differ quite a bit. Our RICS Level 3 Survey tells you exactly what is there, whether it is a newly built apartment or a century-old family house.

Since the 2012 Olympics, East Ham has changed a great deal, with new restaurants, shops and cultural experiences bringing more buyers into the area. Families are also attracted by several Ofsted Outstanding-rated schools, and commuters value the strong transport links into central London. Demand has pushed development along, but it has also made buyers more alert to build quality, especially in newer conversions and developments.

• Victorian & Edwardian terraced properties
• Large family homes over 2,500 sq ft
• Properties showing visible defects or damage
• New-build apartments requiring snagging inspection
• Any property in a conservation area
• Properties with unusual or non-standard construction

A Level 3 Survey can help any buyer, but in E6 it is especially useful for certain properties and situations. We particularly recommend it if you are buying a home over 2,500 square feet, a period property built before 1919, or a property that has been heavily altered or extended. In those cases, the extra detail makes the decision clearer.

East Ham has many period terraces that have been altered over the decades. Loft conversions, rear extensions and changes to internal walls are all common, and these can affect structural integrity. Our Level 3 Survey looks at those alterations and checks whether they appear to have been carried out properly and in line with the building regulations of the time.

If renovation or extension work is on the cards after purchase, the Level 3 Survey gives you a useful starting point. It highlights existing structural issues that could affect your plans and helps with budgeting for repairs or improvements. For investors buying in E6, especially those looking at properties to rent or sell on, the detailed report gives essential information for pricing and risk assessment.

• Buyers of period properties built pre-1919
• Those purchasing large family homes
• Anyone buying a property in poor condition
• First-time buyers wanting maximum protection
• Property investors requiring detailed asset assessment
• Buyers planning significant renovations

From surveying homes in East Ham and Beckton, we see the same types of problem come up again and again in E6 properties. Victorian and Edwardian terraces are often affected by penetrating damp, usually because of failing render or damaged brickwork. Their traditional solid-wall construction does not have the cavity wall insulation found in modern homes, so damp penetration is more likely, especially on exposed north-facing walls.

Period roofs can throw up problems too, especially where original tiles have been replaced with incompatible materials or lead flashing has broken down. Our surveyors inspect roof spaces closely, looking for water ingress, rot in rafters and joists, and the state of insulation and ventilation. Because so many properties in E6 are older, we also often find outdated electrical installations that may fall short of current safety standards.

Parts of East London have long had concerns around subsidence and movement, and our surveyors are trained to spot the signs, such as cracked walls, uneven floors and doors and windows that stick or fail to close properly. Not every crack matters, of course, but our Level 3 Survey separates ordinary settlement that has stabilised from movement that suggests an ongoing structural issue needing urgent attention.

Older homes also often have problems with damp-proof courses, either because they have failed over time or because they were never installed in the first place. Ventilation can be another weak spot, particularly where homes have been modernised with new windows but without enough mechanical extraction. The result can be condensation and mould growth, which affects both the building and the people living in it.

• Penetrating damp in solid-wall period properties
• Deteriorated roof coverings and flashing
• Outdated electrical wiring and consumer units
• Structural movement and subsidence
• Rot in timber joists and rafters
• Defective or missing damp-proof courses
• Inadequate ventilation causing condensation
• Asbestos in pre-2000 properties