Received (in revised form): 5th May, 2005 Alan Holmes is a chartered building surveyor and the Managing Director of building surveyors and asset managers, Elliott Holmes Johnson Ltd. He has specialised in building defects of residential properties for 14 years. Elliott Holmes Johnson is a firm of independent consultants which advises Registered Social Landlords on […]
Author: Alan Holmes Building Surveyor
A History of Newcastle upon Tyne taken from Historic Quotes and Commentary
My Dad, George (Geordie) Holmes inspired my interest in stories and quotes about the place I live. He would tell tales of Northbourne Street in Elswick. I could see it and practically relive it. Tales of Horse and Carts in the snowy winter months sliding down the Whinstone sett streets running steeply down to the […]
The methodical approach to scientific investigation of ‘effect to determine cause’ using experiments to prove or disprove hypothesis
Alan Holmes DipSurv, MRICS, MCIAT Is a chartered Building Surveyor, specialising in building defect pathology. Alan is managing director at Alan Holmes Building Surveying Services Ltd, a firm specialising in Level 2 and Level 3 residential surveys. Abstract I have read many books and articles on surveying and building defects and in general they describe […]
Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018
The Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Bill has been enacted as the Homes (Fitness for Human Habitation) Act 2018 and is scheduled to come into force on the 20th March 2019. The new act amends the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 to require that any property let by a landlord (private or social) is fit […]
Perfomance of timber under changing environments
Timber’s performance changes with long term loading and variations in humidity and moisture. Changing the building environment can have a dramatic affect on timber components. Alan Holmes is a Chartered Building Surveyor and Managing Director of Building Surveyors, Architectural Technologists and On Construction Domestic Energy Assessors, Alan Holmes Building Surveying Services Ltd. Abstract A common […]
Why to ensure you extend your lease
If your lease expires, your property will eventually revert to the freeholder, your landlord, leaving you empty-handed. However, if you have lived in the property for more than two years you have the right to extend the lease, but the longer you leave it the more expensive it gets. Victorian properties that were converted in […]
Modern survey techniques improve building defects pathology
Alan Holmes Building Surveying Ltd invest in training and equipment to help during building surveys to provide our clients with the most thorough and accurate report available. Prior to carrying out the actual building survey, AHBSS carry out a desk top study using historic OS maps, environmental search (environment agency), Radon maps, BS8104 exposure zones […]
Loft conversion guidelines
Converting an existing loft space can be a cost effective way of increasing living accommodation. Alan Holmes Building Surveying Services can carry out a feasibility study and fully design and project manage a loft conversion to your home. Below are just some of the things you have to consider. Is planning permission needed for loft […]
No house survey is false economy, says RICS
By Simon Gompertz Personal finance correspondent, BBC News More families are shunning full building surveys so they can raise enough cash to buy a home. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) warns that they risk huge repair costs after finding nasty surprises later. One in five of those who did not bother with a […]
