Sava EDGE.

Welcome to Sava EDGE; a searchable, online collection of practical and technical information and other resources for residential property professionals

February 11th, 2018

Complaints Handling – RICS Guidance Notes

Dr Oonagh McDonald’s report ‘Balancing Risk and Reward: Recommendations for a Sustainable Valuation Profession in the UK’ identified effective complaint handling and sustainability of the valuation profession. This Guidance Note from RICS uses this as…

February 11th, 2018

Common Wall and Roof Rooms

There can sometimes be confusion among assessors about what constitutes a common wall and when a space should be recorded as a roof room or as a separate storey. To clarify: A common…

February 10th, 2018

What is MVHR?

Most MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) systems are similar to the prototype unit shown in Photo 1. An insulated duct brings fresh air into one end of the unit. A filter helps to…

February 10th, 2018

Upgrading Conservatory Roofs

When inspecting conservatories it is tempting for surveyors to treat them as ancillary rooms outside planning and building controls but is this a realistic approach? Many homeowners do not dismiss these spaces so…

February 10th, 2018

Undertaking Investment Valuations

Are Valuers asking the right questions when undertaking Investment Valulations? The significance of how property differs as an investment from the more usual forms, such as shares in companies, was evident recently as…

February 10th, 2018

Uncommon Wall Construction Identification

The folllowing are some examples of some less commonly occuring wall types and features. Tile hung walls Tile hanging was introduced towards the end of the 17th Century in order to provide increased weather…

February 10th, 2018

Assessing Damp in Cavity Walls

Dampness in an insulated cavity wall is very complex. It is also a controversial area where I suspect many surveyors who find dampness in an insulated cavity wall will assume the wall insulation…

February 10th, 2018

Asbestos, Could it Be There?

Asbestos was extensively used in domestic properties between 1930 and 1980 in a wide range of construction purposes in new and refurbished buildings. This extensive use means that there are still many dwellings…

February 10th, 2018

Asbestos – Case Studies

Case Study 1 A surveyor recently undertook an inspection of a 1920s property. The construction of the bedroom ceilings ran an initial alarm bell, especially the cover battens to the boards joints. Following…