Brighton & Hove’s iconic architecture, from its grand Regency squares to colourful Victorian terraces, offers incredible character and charm. But this local heritage, combined with coastal exposure and complex ground conditions, places extra pressure on buildings.
For property owners, the key is awareness. Understanding the most common defects found across the city helps you plan repairs early and avoid unexpected costs.
This guide outlines the key issues our surveyors regularly identify in Brighton & Hove.
1️⃣ Damp & Moisture Ingress
Damp is one of the most widespread issues in coastal cities. Driving rain, salty air and older building materials allow moisture to penetrate walls and roofs.
Common Causes:
Failing damp-proof courses, porous brickwork, defective guttering, leaking roofs, and high external ground levels.
Key Signs:
Peeling wallpaper, crumbling plaster, black mould, musty smells, and cold, damp corners behind furniture.
2️⃣ Structural Movement
Much of Brighton sits on clay or chalk. Clay shrinks in dry periods and swells when wet. Large trees can make this worse.
Common Causes:
Subsidence, heave, settlement, and poor support in old extensions.
Key Signs:
Diagonal cracks near windows and doors, sticking doors, uneven floors or gaps between walls and ceilings. Significant movement requires urgent assessment.
3️⃣ Roofing & Rainwater Goods Issues
Older roofs are often approaching the end of their serviceable life. Poor drainage leads to leaks and rapid deterioration.
Common Causes:
Cracked tiles, slipped slates, failed flashings around chimneys, and broken or blocked gutters.
Key Signs:
Damp patches on top-floor ceilings, water staining, moss growth, and vegetation in guttering.
4️⃣ Timber Decay (Wet Rot & Dry Rot)
Timber in period homes can weaken when ventilation is poor. Damp environments create ideal conditions for rot.
Common Causes:
Leaking pipes, persistent damp under floors, blocked air bricks.
Key Signs:
A mushroom-like smell, soft or crumbly wood, sagging floors, visible fungal growth or cracking timber.
5️⃣ Poor Thermal Insulation
Brighton’s older properties were built without the insulation standards we expect today. Heat loss becomes costly and uncomfortable.
Common Causes:
Solid brick walls, uninsulated lofts, draughty sash windows.
Key Signs:
Cold rooms, condensation on walls or windows, and high energy bills.
6️⃣ Defective Drains
Drain problems are often hidden but can cause serious ground movement and damp.
Common Causes:
Tree-root intrusion, old clay pipe fractures, debris blockages.
Key Signs:
Pooling water, unpleasant smells, or unusually lush patches of grass near pipe routes.
Your Best Defence: Knowledge & Expert Surveys
These issues are common and manageable. A well-maintained period home remains a solid investment. The key is understanding the property’s true condition.
A Level 3 Building Survey is ideal for older or more complex homes. It provides a detailed “health check” that identifies defects, explains the causes and recommends repairs with priority guidance.
Focus Consulting’s RICS-qualified surveyors specialise in the building styles found across Brighton, Hove and the wider South East. We deliver clear, practical advice that helps you buy, maintain and protect your home with confidence.