Client
Needs
The client had developed and converted a west London block of offices into high-end luxury apartments approximately 9 years ago. The external building fabric had gone into disrepair in the past 12 months, with a number of stonework and render defects becoming apparent.
The leaseholders and property management team suggested to the Landlord that some of the defects were considered Relevant Defects under BSA 2022. The Landlord sought to understand whether the defects at the property were considered ‘Relevant Defects’ under BSA 2022 and subsequently, whether the original developer was liable for associated remediation works or whether the defects were due to a lack of ongoing maintenance.
What
We Did
We were instructed by the Landlord, but acted impartially to provide a building assessment, and remedial and statutory advice inline with Building Safety Act 2022 requirements.
We
Provided
Review of contract and design documents from the original redevelopment project
Review of existing defect surveys and investigations commissioned
Review of planning maintenance programme and maintenance regime at the property
Comprehensive site surveys and investigations
Report detailing short and long-term remedial and statutory advice
Final
Result
Project Complexities
It became apparent that some elements of the works that the original developer had undertaken as part of the re-development were sub-standard. Harris Associates therefore had to review these works specifically in accordance with BSA to assess whether these were considered Relevant Defects, in terms of Fire or Structural building safety risk.
Final Outcome
The client was provided with a detailed appraisal of the building’s external building fabric with notes of all defects and remedial recommendations.
The building had clearly been neglected since the redevelopment project some 9 years ago. There was little evidence of cyclical maintenance and a scaffold had not been erected within the past 9 years. Consequently, the defects were considered as a combination of sub-standard works and a lack of general maintenance, in place of being considered ‘relevant defects’.