Building Elements Glossary
Not Sure What Certain Building
Terms Mean?
When it comes to property surveys, there is a lot of technical language that can be hard to follow. Our Building Elements Glossary is here to help! We have broken down key terms and definitions to make understanding your survey easier, so you can feel confident in every part of your property.
A
Arboriculturalist
An expert specialising in the care, management, and study of individual trees.
ADR
Abbreviation for Alternative Dispute Resolution. This refers to a voluntary process where parties resolve disputes without going to court, often through constructive dialogue.
Agent
A person authorised to act on behalf of someone else, managing their affairs or business.
Aggregate
Materials like crushed stone, gravel, or sand used in combination with cement to make concrete. Aggregates can be coarse or fine and are often used in construction projects like soakaways.
Agricultural Tie
A planning condition that restricts the occupancy of a property to individuals working in agriculture or related fields.
Airbrick
A brick with holes designed to allow air circulation, commonly used to ventilate areas like the underside of wooden floors or roof spaces.
Applicant
A term used by estate agents for potential buyers or by lenders for those applying for a mortgage.
APR
Stands for Annual Percentage Rate, representing the yearly interest rate charged on loans, mortgages, or credit cards, including fees and costs.
Architect
A professional trained to design, plan, and oversee building construction projects.
Architrave
A decorative trim around doors or windows, covering gaps between the frame and wall finish.
Asbestos
A natural material once popular for its heat resistance and durability, used in building materials until the mid-1980s. It is now known to be hazardous, causing serious illnesses like cancer when its fibers are inhaled.
Asbestos Cement
Cement reinforced with about 15% asbestos fibers, commonly used in construction. It is fragile and may release harmful fibers if cut or drilled.
Asbestosis
A lung disease caused by long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers, leading to breathing problems and potential fatality.
Asphalt
A black, waterproof material used for roofing and flooring to prevent moisture.
Assured Tenancy
The standard type of residential tenancy in the private sector introduced after 1989.
Auction
A method of buying or selling properties where bids are placed, and the highest offer wins.
AVM
Automated Valuation Model, a system that estimates property values using mathematical formulas and database information.
B
Balanced Flue
A metal device used with gas or oil appliances that draws in air while safely venting fumes outside.
Balustrade
A row of supports or panels below a handrail, commonly found on stairs or balconies.
Bank
A financial institution that accepts deposits and provides loans or other financial services.
Bank of England
The central bank of the UK, responsible for managing the country’s money and acting as the government’s banker.
Bankruptcy
A legal process where an individual’s assets are divided among creditors when they cannot repay their debts.
Barge Board
A decorative board fixed along the edge of a roof to protect and cover the rafters.
Bedding/Bed Joint
A layer of mortar or concrete used to provide support for bricks, slabs, or pipes.
Beetle Infestation
Damage caused by wood-boring insects like woodworms, which tunnel into timber and sometimes furniture. Specialist treatment is usually needed.
Bond
The pattern in which bricks or stones are laid in a wall to ensure strength and stability. Common patterns include English, Flemish, and stretcher bonds.
Borehole
A drilled hole in the ground used to collect soil or rock samples or to extract water.
Borrowing
Taking out a loan to buy or improve a property.
BRE (Building Research Establishment)
An organisation that provides research and advice on building design, construction, and sustainability.
Breeze Block
A lightweight concrete block originally made from coal ash (breeze), now a term used for various concrete building blocks.
Brick Bond
The specific pattern bricks are laid in to make a wall stable, such as stretcher bond or Flemish bond.
Bridging
When moisture bypasses a damp-proof course (DPC), allowing dampness to spread into walls or floors.
Bridging Finance
A short-term loan to help buy a property before selling the current one.
Broker
A middleman who helps arrange mortgage loans for individuals or businesses.
Building Insurance
Insurance that covers damage to a building’s structure from events like fire, subsidence, or extreme weather.
Building Society
A member-owned financial institution that provides banking services, particularly mortgage lending.
Bund
A wall built around a tank to contain spills and prevent pollution.
C
Capital
In economics, capital refers to one of the main factors of production. In general, it is an asset’s value after subtracting debts like mortgages.
Capped Mortgage
A type of mortgage where the interest rate wont go above a certain limit is known as the cap. The interest rate will also decrease if the lender’s standard rate drops below the cap.
Carbonation
A natural process that affects the outer layer of concrete, causing metal reinforcements to rust, which can lead to cracks and damage in the concrete.
Casement Window
A window with one or more hinged sashes that open outward, like a door.
Cavity Wall
A common building method where a wall is made of two layers of brick or block, with a small gap (cavity) between them for insulation.
Cavity Wall Insulation
Filling the gap between the two layers of a cavity wall with materials like foam or beads to improve insulation.
Cavity Wall-Tie
A metal or similar material piece is placed inside cavity walls to strengthen the structure. If these ties rust, the wall may become unstable.
CCJ (County Court Judgment)
A legal ruling against a debtor. If the debt is not paid in full within a month, the judgment will stay on the record for six years.
Cesspool
A type of waste storage tank that needs to be emptied regularly, not to be confused with a septic tank.
Chain
The process where property buyers and sellers are connected in a series, with each transaction depending on the one before it.
Charge
A legal claim on property, like a mortgage, to ensure that a debt is repaid.
Charges Register
A record of all legal claims, such as mortgages or judgments, on a property.
Chipboard
A type of board made from wood chips glued together, often used for inexpensive furniture or flat roof decking.
Cleaning Eye
An access point in a drain or ventilation pipe that allows for clearing blockages using rods.
CML (Council of Mortgage Lenders)
A trade association for the mortgage lending industry in the UK.
Cob
A building material made from earth, clay, straw, and small stones, often used for walls in certain regions like East Anglia.
Collar
A horizontal wooden beam used in roofs to prevent the sides from spreading.
Collar Beam
A horizontal beam that connects opposite rafters in a roof to provide support.
Combination Boiler
A modern gas boiler that provides hot water and heating on demand without needing a storage tank.
Combined Sewers
Sewers that carry both wastewater and rainwater.
Common Parts
Areas of a property shared by all residents, like hallways or gardens.
Commonhold Land
A type of land ownership where all owners share responsibility for the property under a community agreement.
Completion
The final step in a property sale when all payments are made and the buyer gains access to the property.
Concrete
A mixture of aggregates (like sand and gravel) and cement, often used in construction.
Condensation
The process where water vapor turns into liquid when it meets a cold surface, often seen in buildings.
Conflict of Interest
When someone, like an agent, has competing interests that could affect their ability to act fairly for their client.
Conservation Area
An area protected by law to preserve its historical or architectural significance.
Contents Insurance
Insurance that covers damage to or loss of the belongings inside a property, such as furniture or electronics.
Conveyancer
A legal professional who helps with the legal process of buying or selling property.
Coping/Coping Stone
A stone or concrete piece placed on top of a wall to protect it from water damage.
Corbel
A projection, often made of stone or wood, that extends from a wall to support weight.
Cornice
A decorative molding is placed at the junction between a wall and a ceiling. It can also be used on the exterior to direct rainwater away from a wall.
Covenant
A legally binding agreement, often related to what can or cannot be done with a property.
Coving
A curved molding at the joint where a wall meets the ceiling.
Credit Score
A number that reflects an individual’s creditworthiness, used by lenders to decide if they can offer a loan.
Creep
The slow, gradual change in shape or position of an object under pressure.
Curtilage
The land surrounding and belonging to a building.
D
Dado Rail
A wooden molding attached to the wall, typically at the top of panelling. It was originally designed to protect walls from damage caused by people or furniture brushing against it.
Deathwatch Beetle
An insect pest (Xestobium Rufovillosum) that damages structural timbers, usually in older hardwoods with existing fungal decay.
Deed
A formal agreement or document that meets certain legal conditions. Examples include title deeds (proof of property ownership) and mortgage deeds (giving a lender legal rights to the property).
Default
When a debtor fails to meet their legal obligations under a debt agreement, either by not paying the loan or violating terms.
Defect
A fault or imperfection that reduces the value or function of something, like a problem in a building that needs to be fixed.
Delamination
When a material breaks down and the layers that make it up start to separate.
Demise
The property that is part of a lease or the act of granting a lease.
Desk Top Valuation
A property valuation based on online resources, records, and references, without the need for a physical inspection of the property.
Dew Point
The temperature at which moisture in the air begins to condense into liquid water.
Digestion
The process in sewage treatment where microbes break down sewage sludge.
Discharge Consent
Permission granted by the Environment Agency for the release of certain substances into water systems, as regulated under the Water Resources Act 1991.
Distribution Board
A unit that contains electrical switches, circuit breakers, and fuses to protect the circuits in a property.
District Plan
A Local Development Plan created by a district council to guide development in a specific area.
Discount
The interest rate set by a central bank for loans to commercial banks and other financial institutions.
Double Glazing
A method of insulating windows using two layers of glass with a gap in between, to reduce heat loss and noise.
Double Hung Sash Window
A window with two vertically sliding sashes, which are counterbalanced by weights on cords that pass over pulleys.
DPC (Damp-Proof Course)
A layer of waterproof material built into walls to prevent moisture from rising or spreading around windows and doors.
PM (Damp-Proof Membrane)
A continuous waterproof layer in the ground floor of a building, connected to the DPC in the walls, to prevent rising dampness.
Drive-By Valuation
A property valuation conducted by a surveyor who inspects the property from publicly accessible areas, often for remortgaging purposes.
DRS (Dispute Resolution Service)
A service offered by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) that provides various methods for resolving property disputes.
Dry Rot
A harmful fungus (Serpula Lacrymans) that attacks timber, especially in damp, poorly ventilated areas, causing significant damage to structures and joinery.
E
Easement
A legal right allowing one person to use part of another person’s land for a specific purpose, such as access to a road or water supply.
Efflorescence
White, powdery crystals that appear on the surface of a wall or other material when moisture evaporates, leaving behind salts.
Endowment Mortgage
A type of mortgage where the borrower only pays interest, and the capital is repaid through one or more endowment policies (usually low-cost insurance policies).
Enforcement Notice
A notice issued by a local council stating that there has been a violation of planning rules and specifying what needs to be done to fix the issue within a set time.
Engineering Brick
A strong, dense brick often used in construction, particularly as a damp-proof course in older buildings.
Environment Agency
The government body responsible for protecting the environment in England and Wales, focusing on water quality, pollution control, and waste management.
EPC (Energy Performance Certificate)
A certificate that shows how energy-efficient a property is and its carbon dioxide emissions. All properties bought, sold, or rented must have one.
Equifax
A service that provides instant online credit checks to assess an individual’s creditworthiness.
Estate Agent
A person or company that helps buy, sell, rent, or manage properties and buildings.
External Appraisal
A property valuation conducted from the outside, often referred to as a Drive-By Valuation.
Excess
The amount of money a person must pay out of pocket when making a claim on their building or contents insurance.
Exchange of Contracts
A property valuation conducted from the outside, ofteThe point in a property sale when the buyer and seller sign and exchange contracts, making the sale legally binding. The buyer should insure the property at this stage.
n referred to as a Drive-By Valuation.
F
Failed Valuation Survey
When a lender rejects a mortgage application after reviewing the surveyor’s property valuation report.
Failed Valuation Survey
Fast Track
A type of self-certification mortgage where the lender can request proof of income up until the completion of the mortgage process.
Fees
The amount of money paid for professional services.
Fibreboard
A lightweight, inexpensive board used in ceilings or as attic insulation, though it is not very strong.
Fixed Rate
A mortgage where the interest rate and monthly payments stay the same, even if the base rate changes.
Flashing
A technique used in building to prevent leaks at roof joints, typically made of metal (lead, zinc, copper), but can also be made from cement, felt, or other materials.
Flaunching
A layer of cement mortar applied at the top of a chimney stack around the chimney pots to direct rainwater away and prevent damage.
Flight Hole
A hole in timber made by an insect leaving the wood after feeding.
Flue
A pipe or duct that carries smoke or gases from a heating appliance (like a boiler) to the outside, or the chimney itself.
Flue Lining
A metal tube (usually stainless steel) placed inside a flue to improve safety and efficiency, especially for high-output gas appliances. Some flues may also have clay or other materials.
Flying Freehold
A part of a freehold property that is located above land that is not owned by the property owner.
Forced Sale Value
The amount an asset is worth when sold quickly, often at auction, usually after the debtor defaults.
Foundations
Concrete structures placed underground to support walls; older buildings may use brick or stone foundations.
Frass
A mixture of insect droppings and chewed wood found in the tunnels of wood-boring insects.
Fraud
Deliberate deception intended to gain something unfairly or harm someone else.
Freehold
Full ownership of a property and land for an unlimited time, giving the owner almost complete control over it.
Frog
A V-shaped indentation on the face of a brick, reducing its weight. The terms “frog down” or “frog up” refer to how the bricks are laid.
Fruiting Body
The part of a fungus that produces spores, often distinct in shape, color, and texture.
G
Gazump
When a seller accepts a higher offer on a property after already agreeing to a lower one with another buyer, leaving the first buyer “gazumped.”
GEA (Gross External Area)
The total area of a building measured from the outermost edges of the walls, including all floors and the thickness of external walls.
Grants
Financial assistance provided by government or local authorities for home improvements, though nowadays they are mostly available for insulation work for eligible homeowners.
Ground Heave
The upward movement of foundations caused by moisture in clay-rich soil, which can lead to structural issues.
Ground Rent
An annual payment made by leaseholders to the freeholder of a property.
Grout
A material used to fill the gaps between tiles on walls or floors, helping to prevent water from getting in.
Grounds
The land surrounding a house or building.
Gulley
A drain opening where rainwater and waste water are collected before being directed into the main drainage system.
Gutter
A channel along the edge of a roof or path designed to collect and direct rainwater away from the property.
I
Independent
Not controlled or influenced by others, especially when giving advice or making decisions. An independent advisor does not receive a salary or commission from third parties.
In Situ
Work that is carried out in its final location, rather than being made elsewhere and moved into place. For example, concrete can be poured directly where it is needed (in situ) or made in sections and moved later.
Inspection Chamber
Also called a “man-hole,” this is an access point to a drain. It is a chamber (made of brick, concrete, or plastic) with a drainage channel at the bottom and a removable cover at ground level for maintenance or inspection.
Interest-Only Mortgage
A type of mortgage where the borrower only pays the interest each month, not the principal amount. At the end of the mortgage term, the original loan amount remains unpaid, unlike a repayment mortgage where the debt is gradually paid off.
Interstitial Condensation
Condensation that forms within the layers of a building structure, such as between different materials or parts of a building element.
J
Joist
A horizontal beam made of timber or steel that supports a floor or ceiling. Steel versions are often called RSJs (rolled steel joists).
K
Key
The roughness of a surface that helps paint, plaster, rendering, tiles, etc., stick to it. It can also refer to the spaces between laths or wire meshes that allow plaster to grip.
KFI
Key Facts Illustration is a document that provides details of a mortgage product a customer is interested in. It is standardized by the FSA to help applicants compare different products.
L
Landslip
The downhill movement of unstable earth, clay, rock, etc., often caused by prolonged heavy rain, coastal erosion, or weak subsoil cohesion.
Lease
A contract between a lessor and lessee, granting the lessee the right to use property or land for a specified period.
Leasehold
A form of property tenure where a person rents land or property from a freeholder for a set period, commonly seen with flats.
Legal fees
Fees that cover the legal costs of services like conveyancing, property searches, and other related legal work.
Lender
A company or financial institution that provides loans to individuals or businesses, using funds from deposits or borrowed from other entities.
Lender’s valuation
A valuation performed by a Chartered Surveyor for a lender, which helps determine the amount they are willing to lend for a mortgage.
Life assurance
A contract where an insurer agrees to pay a designated beneficiary a sum of money upon the death of the insured individual or due to other specified events like critical illness.
London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR)
The interest rate at which banks can borrow funds from other banks in the London market.
Lintel
A horizontal beam placed over a door or window opening, supporting the load of the wall above. Lintels are sometimes hidden from view.
Longhorn Beetle
A destructive insect pest, mainly found in the south-east of England, known for damaging the structural integrity of wood.
LTV (Loan To Value)
The ratio of a loan amount to the value of the property being purchased, which lenders often use to determine the eligibility for a mortgage.
M
MIG (Mortgage Indemnity Guarantee)
An insurance policy that protects the lender when a borrower takes out a high-risk loan, often used when the Loan-To-Value (LTV) ratio exceeds a certain threshold.
Monetary Policy Committee
A division of the Bank of England responsible for setting interest rates and overseeing the country’s monetary policy.
Mortar
A mixture of sand, cement, water, and sometimes lime, used to bond stones or bricks together in construction.
Mortgage Regulation
Introduced in 2000 by the Treasury and currently supervised by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), these regulations govern mortgage lending practices.
Mortgage valuation
A property valuation conducted by a Chartered Surveyor for a lender to determine the property’s value as part of the mortgage process.
Mortgageable
Refers to a property that meets a lender’s criteria and is considered suitable collateral for a mortgage loan.
Mortgagees
The lenders who provide funds to borrowers for purchasing or remortgaging a property.
Mortgages
Loans provided to enable individuals to purchase or remortgage a property, typically secured against the property itself.
Mortgagors
The borrowers who take out loans from lenders for the purpose of purchasing or remortgaging a property.
Mullion
A vertical bar or divider that separates individual sections (lights) in a window.
Mundic
A term describing potential housing issues, particularly in the South West, arising from the use of reactive aggregates in concrete, which can lead to structural problems.
N
Negative equity
A situation where the amount owed on a property mortgage exceeds the current market value of the property. The difference is considered negative equity.
Newel
A strong post that supports the handrail of a staircase, located at both the top and bottom. It can also refer to the central pillar of a winding spiral staircase.
New build
Refers to newly constructed properties that have not yet been occupied and are awaiting their first residents.
NHBC (National House Builders Council)
An organisation that provides new build guarantees, ensuring that newly constructed homes meet certain quality standards and offering protection to homeowners.
O
Ombudsman
An individual or organisation that acts as an impartial intermediary to resolve disputes between two parties, typically between consumers and businesses or government entities.
Open market value
Now commonly referred to as Market Value, this is the estimated price a property would sell for in an open market, based on factors like location, condition, and market conditions. It is often used for mortgage valuations.
Oversite
A layer of rough concrete placed beneath timber ground floors, typically used to provide a stable base and prevent damp from rising into the floor structure.
P
Parapet
A low wall or barrier that runs along the edge of a roof, balcony, or other elevated surface, often used for safety or aesthetic purposes.
Parapet gutter
A timber gutter with a rectangular cross-section, typically lined with flexible metal or other impervious material. It is placed behind a parapet or at a valley to direct water flow away from the structure.
Plasterboard
A building material consisting of a stiff layer of plaster sandwiched between two sheets of paper. It is commonly used for constructing walls and ceilings due to its ease of installation.
Pension
A financial arrangement in which individuals save and invest money to provide income during retirement, often through employer-sponsored or personal plans.
Powder Post Beetle
A type of beetle (Bostrychidae or Lyctidae family) that can infest and damage structural timbers. If left untreated, it can cause significant damage to wood.
Private survey
A Building Survey commissioned by a property purchaser, which can be done separately or alongside a mortgage valuation to assess the property’s condition.
Professional indemnity insurance
An insurance policy held by Chartered Surveyors to protect against legal claims in the event of errors, omissions, or negligence in their professional services.
Purlin
A horizontal beam in a roof structure that supports the rafters, helping to distribute the weight and provide stability.
Q
Quest
A company that provides a software platform for the secure electronic delivery of property valuations to lenders.
Quoin
The external corner or angle of a building where two walls meet, or the bricks or stone blocks used to form that angle.
R
Random rubble
A basic method of stone wall construction where stones are placed without any attempt at bonding or coursing, resulting in a rough, irregular appearance.
Rendering
A covering finish applied to the surface of a wall, typically using plaster internally or cement externally. It can also include textured finishes like pebbledash, stucco, or Tyrolean.
Repayment mortgage
A type of mortgage where the borrower pays both the loan amount and the interest over time. By the end of the mortgage term, the loan is fully paid off.
Repossession
When a borrower defaults on a mortgage, the lender may repossess the property, taking ownership and selling it to recover any outstanding loan balance.
Reveals
The side faces or jambs of a window or door opening, typically where the frame meets the wall.
RICS
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a professional organization that valuers must be members of to provide official mortgage valuations.
Ridge
The highest part or apex of a roof, usually running horizontally along the top.
Ridge tile
A specially shaped tile used to cover and seal the ridge of a roof, available in rounded or angular cross-sections.
Riser
The vertical component of a step or stair, responsible for the height between each tread.
Rising damp
Moisture that travels upward through a wall from the ground due to capillary action, which can lead to rot in timbers, decay in plaster, and failure of decoration.
Roof spread
The outward bowing of a wall caused by the thrust of a roof that is poorly restrained, often resulting in structural issues.
RSJ
A frequently used abbreviation for a rolled steel joist, a structural element commonly used in construction.
S
Saleable
A property that is considered marketable and likely to attract buyers due to its condition, location, or price.
Screed
The final smooth finish applied to a solid floor, typically made of cement, concrete, or asphalt, used to create a level surface.
Self-certification
A mortgage product where the borrower is not required to provide proof of income, relying instead on a self-declaration of earnings.
Septic tank
A system for treating sewage, where waste decomposes through bacterial action. It can be affected by chemicals like bleach or washing powders, which may hinder the decomposition process.
Settlement
Minor shifts or cracks that occur as a property naturally settles over time. These are often not significant but may be noticeable in the form of small cracks or distortion in walls.
Sewer
A large underground pipe used to carry waste water and sewage. The Local Authority typically maintains sewers, while drains are the responsibility of property owners.
Shingles
Small, rectangular wooden slabs used as roofing material instead of traditional tiles or slates.
Soaker
A flexible metal piece that fits between roof tiles or slates to create a water-tight joint, typically used at the junction of a wall and a roof, or at hips and valleys.
Soil pipe/soil stack
A vertical pipe that conveys sewage to the drains, usually vented above the roofline to allow gases to escape.
Sole agent
An agreement with a single estate agent to market and sell a property for a fixed term.
Solicitor
A legal professional who can assist with property conveyancing, providing legal advice and ensuring the legal transfer of property ownership.
Spandrel
The triangular space above and beside an arch or the space beneath a staircase, often used for decoration or support.
Stamp duty
A tax that must be paid when purchasing a property, based on its sale price.
Standard Variable Rate (SVR)
The standard interest rate applied by lenders to mortgage products, usually based on the Bank of England Base Rate plus a margin.
Structural engineer
A professional who assesses structural defects and provides advice on the safety and stability of a building.
Structural movement
Refers to defects caused by structural failure in a building, which could result from poor design, component failure, or adverse ground conditions.
Structural survey
An in-depth inspection and report on a property’s condition, formerly known as a structural survey but now typically referred to as a Building Survey.
Stud partition
A lightweight, non-load-bearing wall made from a framework of timber, often covered with plaster, plasterboard, or other finishes.
Subsoil
The soil layer located directly beneath the topsoil, often less fertile and more compact.
Sulphate attack
A chemical reaction that occurs in concrete or brick when exposed to water and soluble sulphates, leading to the deterioration of these materials.
Surveyor
A Chartered Surveyor who is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and is qualified to carry out property inspections and valuations.
T
Tenant
An individual who lives on a property that is rented or leased from a landlord.
Tied agent
A financial services representative who is restricted to offering only the products provided by their employer or the organization they are tied to.
Tie bar
A metal bar installed through walls to provide structural support and prevent instability in a building, often used in cases of structural movement.
Torching
A layer of mortar applied to the underside of roof tiles or slates to help prevent moisture from penetrating the roof. This is not needed when a roof is underlaid with felt.
Tracker
A mortgage product where the interest rate is linked to a base rate, such as the Bank of England Base Rate, and adjusts accordingly.
Transom
A horizontal bar of wood or stone that divides a window or sits at the top of a door, often used for aesthetic or structural purposes.
Tread
The horizontal part of a step or stair that a person steps on when climbing or descending.
Treating customers fairly
A principle used by financial institutions, ensuring that customers receive fair, transparent, and responsible service, with their needs and interests considered.
Trussed rafters
Prefabricated triangular timber frameworks used in roof construction, commonly found in modern domestic buildings for ease of assembly and cost efficiency.
Title
A legal term referring to the ownership and rights associated with a property or land, often evidenced by title deeds.
Title deeds
Legal documents that prove ownership of a property or land, outlining the rights and responsibilities of the property owner.
U
Underpinning
A process used to strengthen or stabilize weak foundations by placing a new, stronger foundation beneath the original one to prevent further settlement or structural failure.
Underwriter
A professional in a financial institution who assesses the risk of lending, evaluating the property and the borrower’s circumstances to determine the suitability for mortgage approval.
V
Valley Gutter
A horizontal or sloping gutter, typically lined with lead or tiles, located at the internal intersection between two roof slopes to channel rainwater away.
Valuation
An estimate of a property’s market value, typically conducted by a professional to determine its worth.
Valuer
A Chartered Surveyor, a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), with expertise in assessing and valuing properties.
VAT (Value Added Tax)
A government tax applied to most products and services, which is collected at each stage of production or distribution.
Vendor
The seller of a property.
Ventilation
The process of providing fresh air to disperse moisture and prevent condensation, which can be caused by activities like bathing, cooking, and breathing.
Verge
The edge of a roof, particularly over a gable or around features like dormer windows or skylights.
Verge Board
Timber, sometimes decorative, placed at the verge of a roof, also known as a “barge board.”
Ventilation
A method of providing airflow in a property to ensure adequate air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.
W
Wall Plate
A timber beam placed at the roof eaves, designed to bear the weight of the roof timbers and coverings.
Wall Tie
A structural element used to tie together two leaves of a cavity wall to ensure stability and prevent separation. (See “Cavity Wall Tie”)
Waste Pipe
A pipe that carries wastewater from a wash hand basin, sink, or bath to the drainage system.
Weather Boarding
Horizontal overlapping boards nailed to the outside of a building used as a finished exterior wall surface.
Wet Rot
Decay of timber caused by prolonged damp conditions, typically weakening the wood. Unlike dry rot, it is less destructive but still a significant issue for timber.
Woodworm
A common term for beetle infestation, typically referring to the Common Furniture Beetle (Anobium Punctatum), which is a frequent cause of damage to structural and joinery timbers.