Damp reported in survey; choosing a damp specialist in London

[Questingvole]

We've put an offer in on a period flat in east London. The . The estate agent said there was a bit of mould, but our survey has come back with reports of damp in various locations (though no other problems). The flat is ground floor and lower ground floor, and Grade 2 Listed. The flat above is leased by the local authority. Our surveyor's suggested possible causes of the damp include: a damaged drainpipe plus water trapped behind render; water ingress via the steel fixings of an external staircase; internal pipe leaks from a boiler; and a bridged or possibly absent damp proof course. The surveyor recommends instructing a damp specialist (and damp-proofing contractors, and timber treatment specialists) to inspect and report and/or quote. Can't work out how bad this all is. And can anyone recommend a damp specialist, please?

A few details that may help. Is it share of freehold or a leasehold with a landlord?

Can't help of the recommendations of specialists, other than saying they are notorious for being one-trick pony's.

Could you see where they damp is?

Almost definitely a damp proofing contractor is a bad idea - older houses need to breathe rather than have damp fixed in. Have a look at the historic England guidance : https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/technical-advice/buildings/damp-in-historic-buildings/investigation-of-moisture-and-its-effects-on-traditional-buildings/

I used TapCo about 4 years ago.

They gave the best quote, were quick and efficient, damp proofed the whole of the back ground floor wall of 1930s semi (including removing radiator and plaster, replastering and refitting radiator) , and the front bay window (injected stuff so less work) for £3k.

Gave a full guarantee - charged £25 admin to change the guarantee to the name of the subsequent buyers.

It’s leasehold, as is the flat above (and that flat has a tenant in it). There is a separate freeholder. The surveyor has identified various areas of damp, some visible, some with a damp meter. I suspect it isn’t too bad, but we need a reliable expert in damp to check it out and report on what the solutions are, and the likely cost.

If it’s leasehold then surely it’s for the freeholder to fix?
They own the structure, not you.

Questingvole - interested to know which damp proof specialist you went with and would you recommend?

Maybe, though much of the damp is internal. And we still needed to know how bad the problem was before proceeding with purchase. In the event the seller pulled out, and it became academic.

We used a specialist damp surveyor, not a contractor. Turned out the problem wasn't that bad, but then the seller pulled out and it became academic (expensively).

Questingvale - Thank you and sorry the seller pulled out.
Which damp specialist did you use and would you recommend them?
My son is buying a flat in London and following a survey we need to source a damp specialist

Heritage House website is good for damp info, highlights that most treatment is a scam and doesnt work !

Agreed. So glad I stumbled across their website whilst doing my own first major renovation: https://www.heritage-house.org/

Helped me realise that what my house had was bridging of damp course and condensation caused by lack of air flow / ventilation.

Easy enough to fix when you're gutting a house, but could so easily have been misled by those suggesting injected damp courses or tanking of the walls up to 1m.

This is exactly the sort of company to avoid too.

Is advertising allowed on here?

@PropertyGuy no advertising isn't allowed.
I've reported the post.