London housing knowledge
Home survey advice by property type
Age and architectural style do not diagnose condition, but they help shape the right questions. Explore how construction, alteration and shared ownership affect survey choice for common London homes.
Explore the building
Six important property groups
These guides describe typical characteristics, not rules for every property. Individual buildings vary with materials, workmanship, exposure, maintenance and later alteration.
Victorian Homes
Victorian houses form a substantial part of London's residential landscape. Built during a period of rapid expansion, these properties range from modest workers' terraces to grand family homes. Their age, construction methods and the materials used mean they present specific surveying challenges that require careful, experienced assessment.
Typical starting point
Level 3 survey consideration
Read the property guideEdwardian Homes
Edwardian houses often represent some of the most desirable family homes in London. Built during a relatively short but distinctive period, they tend to be wider and lighter than their Victorian predecessors, with larger gardens and more generous proportions. However, they share many construction characteristics with Victorian buildings and present similar surveying considerations.
Typical starting point
Level 3 survey consideration
Read the property guideInterwar & 1930s Homes
Interwar homes – particularly the ubiquitous 1930s semi-detached house – form a significant part of London's suburban housing stock. Built during a period of rapid suburban expansion, these properties benefit from cavity wall construction and more standardised building practices, though they bring their own set of age-related issues.
Typical starting point
Either survey consideration
Read the property guideConverted Flats
Converted flats – properties created by subdividing a larger building, typically a Victorian or Edwardian house – are extremely common across London. They present a distinct set of surveying challenges that go beyond the condition of the individual flat, encompassing the shared structure, communal areas, and the practical implications of leasehold ownership.
Typical starting point
Level 3 survey consideration
Read the property guidePurpose-Built Flats
Purpose-built flats – properties designed and constructed as flats from the outset – range from interwar mansion blocks to post-war local authority towers and modern apartment schemes. While generally more straightforward than converted flats, they still present specific surveying considerations related to shared structure, communal maintenance and leasehold arrangements.
Typical starting point
Level 2 survey consideration
Read the property guideModern Homes & Apartments
Modern homes and apartments – built within the last twenty-five years – benefit from current building regulations and construction standards. However, they are not without issues. Build quality varies considerably, and some relatively new properties present significant defects related to design, materials or workmanship.
Typical starting point
Level 2 survey consideration
Read the property guideChoosing a survey
The building decides the scope—not its label alone
Send the sales listing, postcode and anything that concerns you. JBS will consider the property’s age, construction, condition and alterations before recommending a proportionate survey level.
Official guidance and further reading
These independent sources explain the wider professional, legal and maintenance context. They do not replace advice about the particular property or its title.
- RICSHouse surveys: the costs, types and benefits of oneHow property age, condition and complexity influence the appropriate level of home survey.
- GOV.UKHow to buy a homeGovernment guidance on surveys, legal work and the wider home-buying process in England and Wales.
- Historic EnglandUnderstanding decay in an older homeGuidance on moisture, ventilation, materials, ground levels, timber and movement in older buildings.