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You can't see asbestos fibres without a very good microscope. In any case, asbestos was not used in the location you describe on council housing, and was not used in mortar anywhere.

You probably need to glue and screw a ply plate to cover the joist both sides around all those notches, and a longer piece of ply to cover that split on the joist.

I don't think it would. It does not have relevance to dealing with any condensation issue because no-one knows what %RH and at what °C is safe for that property. Many factors are involved. There is no way someone posting "My room is at 70%RH" and then someone else being able to say "Yeah...

I'm still confused by this terminology Are you the building owner (having the work done) or an adjoining owner? Two neighbours are using the same surveyor, you are using a second surveyor? The neighbour is below you, so these are flats? Has a PW Notice been served and is there a dispute -...

You measure from the current highest ground level, not what it was decades ago. However that does not mean you can pile up new ground (or remove ground) to try and game the policy. If there are signs that the ground has been altered intentionally to gain an advantage, then a pragmatic view...

Most condensation is lifestyle related. Occupants cause it in different ways by various means, and you should review any of the online guidance (from reputable sources) on how it is produced and dealt with and see what if anything you are doing wrong. In a small number of instances, it is the...

If you fit cement board to the face, it will significantly stiffen the whole timber frame up. And if need be, run some horizontal braces back to the house wall to take out any slight movement.

Yes, but are you in the process of having an award drawn up? Is this surveyor a joint surveyor or is another surveyor involved? If an award is being drawn up, I can't understand why you or the neighbour are involved in any discussion. BtW, if an award is being drawn up, then there should be a...

The suppliers will tend to give long warranties for their products, so that can provide added assurance. My experience with artificial slate is different to post above. I've been involved with lots of re-roofing projects for various landlords - including council and social housing where cost is...

Surely, you have insurance to cover you? In any case, would they not claim on the 30 warranty not against you? For mould to exist, there must be some raised moisture levels. You can't rely on an "independent" surveyor's report when the surveyor was appointed by you and paid for by you. That's...

Consider how long you will be living there or on this earth. You won't recoup the costs of expensive slate in any future sale or if you are not there to get the benefit. Artificial slate can be expected to last at least 40 years, and may leave some budget for other work or better specification...

Is the canopy falling back towards the house? Or the flashing below the tile level? It's poor design and/or poor work. That is not just about cleaning, that concentrated run-off will degrade the render in that area leading to premature wear and failure.

Applications for planning permission have to be correct, and have to meet certain national and local criteria in terms of what is submitted and what information is presented and how. If the application does not meet the criteria, it won't be valid and won't be accepted. It's not just a case of...

TBH, in not clear what the issue is. Boundaries, PW Act and ownership etc are all different things. The PWA can only apply to party walls as defined under the Act, and there can be no dispute or debate or negotiation about what a building owner or adjoining owner wants. If the Act applies...

Don't be afraid to use masking tape

A bit of fairy liquid in with the water helps. Also a smooth, flat wet piece of timber just a bit wider than the joint can give it a flat pointed effect. Likewise, a soaked wide piece of dowel (or round off some timber) if you want half round but it should be dead smooth.

Whilst water may sit on such a fascia and enter the wall from the top or drip off the bottom, the wall is a cavity wall so water would not normally reach the inside. Check whether any damp on the inside is higher or lower than the level of that fascia.

It's defined in section 20 (b) of the Act Type B: A wall that stands wholly on one owner's land but is used by two or more owners to separate their buildings. Only the portion of the wall that serves this separating function is considered a party wall under the Act

If the roof was not a problem and leaking due to the lap for the past 35 years, there's no reason why it should be a problem if the tiles are refitted. You may need to replace the felt/membrane if replacing the battens. There is a recent thread about shallow angles at the eaves.

Condensation is not a defect. The membrane should be breathable and if so will be allowing condensation moisture to pass outward The membrane should sag, and you may like to fit some polystyrene wedges in the laps to aid ventilation. The ridge would normally have some membrane beneath the...