MGW - doctors, lawyers, pilots, all professionals make mistakes time to time; just because s/he claims to be a professional surveyor doesn't mean s/he is right in every opinion s/he gives.
Ken - thanks, I totally agree. And I've lived in apartments with condensation issues before, but this one doesn't look like anything I've experienced before. The surveyor is very persistent in his view and unwilling to consider penetrating damp being an explanation.
woody - thanks will do
Ken - not while I lived there (I have since moved out); I won't be surprised if there's some mild condensation there, but again that doesn't explain the stain at all (to me).
woody - I noticed your profile says "West Mids", which is where the property is in, and you're clearly experienced and knowledgeable. I'd be happy to have you look at it for a fee for another opinion.
woody - that he didn't do; he is very determined this is a condensation issue, and didn't discuss the possibility of other sources.
He did look briefly at the external wall, but there isn't much he could do because it's an apartment building with cladding on the outside. Can I possibly send...
oldbutnotdead - I agree, those stains aren't typical condensation. I think condensation exists because it's such an easy thing to exist; I haven't done much other than keeping ventilation well. I instructed the surveyor myself (I own the property).
woody - I agree, just looking at it, it is...
First time poster here.
My apartment windows have obvious signs of deterioration, water stain and wall peeling off.
I'm very convinced it's a water ingress issue as it's prevalent in the whole building, especially the way the stain looks suggests to me it's from the structure side, not the...