An asbestos survey checks whether materials in your home may contain asbestos. Finding asbestos does not always mean it must be removed. If it is in good condition and will not be disturbed, it can often be safely left in place and monitored.

We may look at:

• Each individual room, including areas not affected by any planned work
• Walls and ceilings
  
• Floors, including under carpets or other coverings where practical
• Storage areas, airing cupboards, and service risers
• Around doors and windows
• Boilers, radiators, and pipework
• Boxed-in areas
• Behind bath panels
• Behind kickboards in kitchens
• Inside the loft
• Sheds and outbuildings

The surveyor will need to take photographs to record which areas were checked.

Asbestos sampling: If we find a material that may contain asbestos, we will take a small sample for laboratory testing. This will be sent to our laboratory to check whether asbestos is present. The surveyor will make sure the area is safely cleaned and sealed after any required sampling. The sample will be taken as discreetly as possible and leave the area safe and sealed. 

Typical visit time: 60 minutes – 90 minutes. The time may vary depending on the size and layout of your home.

A Damp and Mould Survey checks for signs of damp and mould in your home and helps us understand what may be causing it.

We may look at:

• Bathrooms
• Kitchens
• Around windows and windowsills
• Walls and ceilings
• Areas around pipes, boilers, and heating systems
• Ventilation, condensation, and relevant external factors
• Other areas where there are signs of damp or mould or that could help establish the potential cause of the damp or mould

The type of survey will depend on the issue your housing provider has identified and the information available. There are three levels of inspection:

• Tier 1 – Initial assessment: A visual assessment to identify any obvious signs of damp, mould, condensation or other potential issues.
• Tier 2 – Detailed assessment: A closer investigation where the cause is not immediately clear. This may include additional measurements, testing, and checks of relevant areas.
• Tier 3 – Specialist investigation: For more complex issues, further specialist investigation may be needed to identify the underlying cause and determine what needs to be done.

Typical visit time: 45 minutes – 1 hour

A Stock Condition Survey checks the condition of the different parts of your home to help your housing provider understand when they may need to be replaced.

We may look at:

• Windows and doors
• Roofs and external areas
• Kitchen and bathroom
• Heating and hot water
• Electrical installations
• Walls, floors, and ceilings
• The general condition of your home

Typical visit time: 20 – 45 minutes

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Assessment looks at your home to understand how energy efficient it is and what could make it more energy efficient.

We may look at:

• The layout and size of your home
• Walls, floors, and roof
• Insulation
• Heating and hot water
• Windows and glazing
• Lighting
• Any renewable energy systems, such as solar panels

Typical visit time: 20 – 45 minutes

A Fire Risk Assessment checks the fire safety of your home and/or the building and whether people can safely escape in the event of a fire.

There are different types of Fire Risk Assessment, so what we look at will depend on the assessment being carried out.

Type 1: We will look at the shared areas of the building, such as corridors, stairways, entrances, loft spaces, and service risers. We may also check your flat entrance door.

Type 2: We will check the same things as in a Type 1 assessment but may also involve opening up of parts of the building to inspect fire safety features that are not visible, including inspecting inside walls, ceilings, or floors.

Type 3: We will check the communal areas of the building and some individual homes to look at:

• Escape routes from the property
• Smoke detection and warning systems
• Visible signs of fire safety defects that could affect fire separation
• Internal doors and the flat entrance door

Type 4: We will carry out the same checks as a Type 3 assessment but may also need to open up parts of the building and your individual home. This could include making small inspection openings in walls, ceilings, or floors. If this is needed, it will be carried out by suitably qualified contractors.

Typical visit time: Will vary depending on the building and extent of the inspection.

A Fire Compartmentation Survey checks the parts of your building that are designed to stop fire and smoke from spreading. In some cases, the inspection may involve opening up parts of the building so we can check what is behind walls, ceilings, or floors. If this is needed, your housing provider will arrange for a contractor to carry out the opening up. Pennington Choices will not be responsible for opening up or making good any areas afterwards, this will be dealt with by your housing provider.  

We may look at:

• Walls, floors, and ceilings
• Fire doors and windows
• Services such as pipes and cables passing through walls and floors
• Any gaps, damage, or other defects in fire-rated areas

Typical visit time: Will vary depending on the building and extent of the inspection.

A Gas Safety Audit checks that gas safety work and records for your home have been completed correctly.

We may look at:

• Your boiler or gas heating appliance
• The gas meter and meter cupboard
• Visible gas pipes
• Flues and chimneys
• Ventilation around gas appliances
• Other gas appliances provided by your landlord

Typical visit time: 45 minutes – 1 hour

An Electrical Safety Audit checks that electrical safety work in your home has been completed correctly and that the information recorded about it is accurate.

We may look at:

• Your consumer unit or fuse box
• Sockets and switches
• Visible electrical cables and wiring
• Lights and fixed light fittings
• Earthing and bonding
• Electrical installations in areas such as bathrooms and kitchens
• External electrical installations, such as outdoor lights or sockets

Typical visit time: 45 minutes – 1 hour