CPD Flashcards
What are dilapidations?
Dilapidations are the state of disrepair of a property caused by a tenant’s failure to meet their lease obligations.
These obligations are usually related to repairs, decorations, or reinstatement.
What is a schedule of dilapidations?
A schedule of dilapidations is a document that sets out the works required to reinstate a property into a condition so it meets the terms of the lease.
What challenges are faced in the construction industry to meet NetZero targets?
The most common materials used to build are steel and concrete, both of which create significant carbon emissions.
The sector must find ways to reduce emissions in the materials it uses and the way it builds.
What are the UK’s NetZero targets?
The UK’s net zero target is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. This legally binding target is intended to limit global warming and climate change.
What does the new retrofit standard teach us?
The standard sets out mandatory requirements and recommendations for carrying out retrofit assessments and issuing advice to clients.
It focuses on improving energy efficiency within homes, achieving net-zero targets, and addressing the long-term sustainability of residential properties.
Surveyors should take a holistic approach, ensuring any amendments do not affect the building or its users going forward.
The duties of the survyeor are split into three roles -
Retrofit assessor, designer and coordinator.
What is PAS 2035?
PAS 2035 is a British Standard that outlines how to retrofit domestic buildings to improve their energy efficiency.
Why is venitlation important in a building?
Adequate ventilation within a building ensures good air quality, by removing toxins and CO2, and also helps to control humidity.
Which reduces the risk of condensation. Energy efficiency and thermal comfort can also be enhanced.
What is BREEAM
BREEAM is a method of assessing the sustainability of a project.
Under BREEAM proerties/buildings are given a rating and also recommendations on how those ratings can be improved.
What are the BREEAM ratings?
Unclassified: Less than 30%
Pass: 30–44%
Good: 45–59%
Very Good: 60–74%
Excellent: 75–89%
Outstanding: 90% or higher
What catagories are the BREEAM ratings based on?
Energy
Health and wellbeing
Materials
Management
Land use and ecology
Pollution
Transport
Waste
Water
What are secure information boxes?
A secure information box (SIB) is a lockable box that stores vital information about a building for use by fire and rescue services in an emergency. The information in an SIB helps firefighters make quick decisions and respond efficiently
What is a BROOF(t4) and when is it required?
BROOF(t4) is a classification system that assesses the fire performance of roofing materials and systems
To reduce the risk of fire spreading over the roof from one compartment to another, a 1500 mm wide zone of the roof, either side of the wall, should have a covering classified as BROOF(t4).
What are the current Uvalue requirements?
According to the updated Part L documents, the U values for new builds will be as follows:
Roofs: 0.11 W/m²K
Walls: 0.18 W/m²K
Floors: 0.13 W/m²K
For new elements in existing dwellings, the U values will be:
Roofs: 0.15 W/m²K
Walls: 0.18 W/m²K
Floors: 0.18 W/m²K
For existing elements in existing dwellings, the limiting U values will be:
Roofs: 0.16 W/m²K
Walls: 0.30 W/m²K
Floors: 0.25 W/m²K
Are you aware of any recent Party Wall Case law?
Power vs Shar 2023 - No notice, no act.
Satha vs Sahr 2023 - Judge parfit - Alternative accomodation should only be assessed at a later date. Rejected claim for internal monitoring as “cannot test for everything”.
2018 - Agreed survyeor - Unreasonable to insist on your own surveyor.
What are the recent changes to EPC’s?
The 2025 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) regulations for rental properties were scrapped. The changes would have required landlords to upgrade their properties to an EPC rating of “C” or higher.
But Labour have mentioned that is might be reintroduced.
What is BRE 245?
BRE Digest 245, also known as Rising damp in walls - diagnosis and treatment, is a publication by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) that provides information on diagnosing and treating rising damp in walls
What are the goals of the BSA 2022?
Improving building safety
Protecting leaseholders
Increasing competence
Ensuring clear standards and guidance
Prioritising higher-risk buildings
What is RAAC and how do you spot it?
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is a lightweight, porous concrete that was commonly used in construction from the 1950s to the mid-1990s. It’s often found in flat roofs, but can also be used in walls and floors.
RAAC panels are usually light grey or white, with a smooth underside and a bubbly interior. They have no visible stones or aggregate in the panels.
RAAC panels are typically 450–600 mm wide and 2.4–3 m long, but can be up to 6m long.
RAAC panels are often hidden behind finishes like plasterboard or suspended ceilings, so they may be difficult to see.
RAAC is softer than traditional concrete and can be indented with a sharp tool.
What are some common failures of RAAC?
There is a risk it can fail, particularly if it has been damaged by water ingress from leaking roofs which causes corrosion of the reinforcement, excessive thermal degradation, or if it was not formed correctly when originally made.
Poor original installation, cutting the reinforcement bars on-site, can dramatically reduce the end bearing capacity of the planks.
What is the RICS Home Survey Standard?
The RICS Home survey standard came into effect on 1 March 2021 iand is the best practice benchmark in promoting and enforcing the highest standards for Home Surveys in the residential sector.
What is the latest standard on Japanese Knotweed?
Japanese knotweed and
residential property, 2022.
The new language refers to management catagories A-D.
A - Action required. Damage.
B - Action required. Amenity affected.
C - Manage. Simply present.
D - Report. Off site but within 3 meters.
How do patent and latent defects impact contractors?
Patent defects are defects that are easily noticeable and exist at the completion of a project. They can be discovered through site inspections and other basic quality testing.
Latent defects are defects that are hidden and manifest later, often after the defects liability period. They are not discoverable through reasonable inspection.
Patent defects are the responsibility of the contractor, while latent defects can lead to complex legal disputes as there is no contractual obligation for the Contractor to rectify the defects
What is MEES?
The Domestic Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard ( MEES ) Regulations set a minimum energy efficiency level for domestic private rented properties.
What is PAS 9980?
PAS 9980 is a guide to reducing the risk of fire spreading via external walls and cladding systems.
