Leicester Surveyors HomeBuyer Survey Report - Case Study 1950s Unity Terraced House, Leicester

This HomeBuyer Survey relates to a 1950s Unity terraced house, originally constructed using precast concrete panel construction.

At a later date, the original concrete panels—now recognised as substandard—were removed and the property was re-clad using brick and blockwork, significantly improving durability and mortgageability.

Background – Unity Concrete Construction

Properties of this type were originally clad with concrete panels fixed to a structural frame. Over time, the metal fixings corroded due to condensation, allowing panels to loosen and, in some cases, detach.

These houses were:

Poorly insulated
Very cold internally
Often unmortgageable prior to remediation

The subject property has been successfully re-clad, unlike neighbouring examples that remain in their original form.

Concrete First Floor Construction

The underside of the concrete first floor was visible. The linear markings observed are where wet concrete squeezed through timber shuttering boards during construction while the slab was curing.

Concrete floors of this type are typically:

Cold
Difficult to insulate retrospectively
Prone to condensation-related issues

Improving thermal performance will be challenging and may require specialist solutions.

Leaning Chimney Stack

The chimney stack was observed to lean slightly towards the south-west.

This is likely due to sulphate attack within the cement mortar joints, where repeated wetting causes expansion on the weather-exposed face. As the chimney is relatively short, it is considered likely to be stable, but regular monitoring is recommended to ensure no progressive movement occurs.

Roof Structure – Missing Bracing

The roof is supported by prefabricated trussed rafters. However, the horizontal bracing that ties the trusses together—allowing them to act as a single structural unit—was missing.

This defect is:

Common in older housing
Straightforward to rectify
Relatively inexpensive to repair

Remedial works are recommended to improve roof stability.

Staircase Safety Defects

The staircase balustrade had widely spaced rails, and in places, rails were missing altogether.

This presents a serious safety hazard, particularly to children, who could:

Trap their head between the rails
Fall through the unguarded section

Immediate remedial works are recommended to bring the staircase up to modern safety standards.

Internal Condensation Staining

Staining around a window opening was observed internally. The pattern and location suggest this is most likely caused by condensation, rather than water ingress through the junction between the window frame and wall.

Improved ventilation and thermal upgrades may reduce recurrence.

Summary

This HomeBuyer Survey highlights typical issues associated with remediated 1950s Unity concrete houses, including:

Cold concrete floors
Historic construction limitations
Minor structural movement
Roof bracing omissions
Internal safety defects
Condensation-related moisture staining

While the re-cladding works significantly improve the property’s long-term performance and mortgageability, targeted repairs and upgrades are required to improve safety, comfort, and energy efficiency.

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