Buying a one or two bedroom conversion
from a commercial property which is
leasehold or shared freehold

We are skilled in carrying out surveys on commercial properties that have

been converted into one or two bedroom apartments from larger properties

As experienced Surveyors we are experts in dealing with all types of property related problems and are pleased to help you with property issues. We have carried out surveys over many years all types of properties. We do not sit on our laurels and are constantly looking to improve our building surveys also known as structural surveys.

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Have a structural building survey

Our structural building surveys and property reports have over the years identified rising damp, lateral damp, penetrating damp as well as black mould, condensation, thermal bridging, roof problems and structural problems amongst many other issues and believe saved our clients money.

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Black mould to ceiling

Caveat emptor

Caveat emptor means buyer beware and is why you need to have a building survey to find out if there are any problems within the property; the estate agent certainly will not advise you of any.

Remember the building Surveyor that you employ will be the only person working for you with your interests at heart.

The building Surveyor needs to know what they are looking at

This feature looks at the commercial buildings that have been converted into one or two bedroom properties that you may see and representative items that Surveyors will spot for you although we do have to say that nothing is as good as getting your own structural survey and meeting your own Surveyor at the property. We are evidently promoting our services 1stAssociated.co.uk call us for a friendly chat on 0800 298 5424.

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Commercial property converted to
apartments Red oval indicates first
floor apartments

Conversion of commercial buildings

With reorganisation and some buildings becoming vacant they make excellent conversion candidates.

The photographs below show a hospital that has been converted into one and two bedroom properties complete with their own secure gated area. This development has been carried out well but of course you do have to pay for the services; the conversion depicted in the photographs below gives a safe environment including its own gym within the grounds.

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Hospital converted into one and two
bedroom properties within
gated area

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Close up of converted hospital

Pub conversions

Large buildings such as public houses also lend themselves to being converted. Sometimes public houses can produce great places to live due to the grand architecture of the original building. However on occasion the one and two bedroom properties rooms are within 1960s extensions for toilets and function rooms etc which are not so grand!

Good design could mean the adding of a roof window or something similar to give a feature.

Pub conversions can make great living space; we have recently looked at a pub conversion which was one of the smallest one bedroom apartments that we have seen for a long time. The conversion had been carried out very well and was in what used to be the function room of the pub which worked excellently with the higher than average ceilings. In fact the problem areas were at first not obvious and related to the large flat roof areas in the dormer window conversions and also to the rear windows which looked over someone else's garden.

These are only problems if you are not aware of them when you are buying a property as we believe buying a property with your eyes wide open is one of the benefits of having a Surveyor who is working for you.

Warehouse conversion

A warehouse conversion is typified by their large, high room spaces and often they are also typically defined by being built on a structural frame. As such warehouse converted properties are more akin to commercial property in need of a commercial Surveyor who understands the structure as we do.

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Warehouse conversion

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Warehouse conversion large
windows

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Structural frame

Shared responsibility

Again, with all of conversions the Surveyor needs to understand whether you are buying either leasehold or shared freehold that you have a shared responsibility for the roof, drains etc.

We would say that in particular converted properties need to be closely looked at as you could end up paying a lot of money for elements of the structure there are simply nowhere near your particular property.

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Parapet wall and chimney

When the property is a conversion we look further than the conversion itself

One important issue to remember is that when you are commissioning a structural survey or a building survey you need to talk to the Surveyor and find out if the Surveyor understands that having a shared freehold or leasehold you also have a responsibility for other areas. Also you should ask your Surveyor just how much time they spend looking at other areas of the property.

Whilst there are some practical limitations as often these buildings are quite high limiting views of the roof or actually getting onto the roofs. You do need to understand if your Surveyor will make an attempt to look for a way to get onto the roof to view its condition and any issues.

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Yes we do go into the roof space
during our surveys

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One of the issues we are finding quite
frequently is plastic to copper fittings
where modern plastic pipes are used
which often leak

Please see our surveying articles on:-

Why have a residential survey?
Structural survey, what does a Chartered Surveyor do?
What is a Schedule of Condition?
Useful tips for purchasing a buy to rent property

Or call us for a friendly chat it costs nothing to talk to us on

free phone 0800 298 5424

or at the very least take a look around our website

Always make sure when you have a survey your meet your Surveyor at the property.

Why not ask us to email you examples of our structural surveys

If we can help by providing a structural building survey on a one or two bedroom converted property that you are wishing to buy why not call us on free phone us for a friendly chat on 0800 298 5424. If you are a landlord please contact us as we would be delighted to help you with Schedules of Condition or Structural surveys on one or two bedroom properties.

Phone us for an example of a property like yours

Whilst we cannot guarantee it we believe we have carried out surveys on nearly every type of property so contact us on 0800 298 5424 and we are sure that we will be able to send you an example survey of a similar property to the one that you are looking to buy so you can see what you will receive from us before you purchase.

No matter who you commission to carry out your structural survey we always recommend that you go along to the survey to have a chat with the Surveyor.

We would also be glad to email you several examples of our tailor made reports, Schedules of Condition, Structural Surveys and Property Reports. We also find that Specific Defect Reports can be use where there is one problem or issue that needs resolving between the landlord and tenant.

We hope you found the article of use and if you have any experiences that you believe should be added to this article that would benefit others, or you feel that some of the information that we have put is wrong then please do not pause to contact us (we are only human).

The content of the website is for general information only and is not intended to be relied upon for specific or general decisions. Appropriate independent professional advice should be paid for before making such a decision. Why not free phone 1stAssociated.co.uk on 0800 298 5424

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