Building Surveying in Construction

Dr Adewale Abimbola, FHEA, GMICE.

www.edulibrary.co.uk

Aim: �Types of Residential Property in the UK

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

Introduction

• The UK housing market features a diverse range of residential property types.

� • Understanding these types is crucial for:

• Buyers and renters making informed decisions.
• Property professionals advising clients.
• Urban planners and policymakers.

We will explore 10 common types of residential properties in the UK.

​

Detached Houses

• A detached house is a freestanding property not sharing any walls with neighbouring houses.� • Key features:

• Complete privacy and independence.
• Often larger gardens and more spacious interiors.
• Typically more expensive than other house types.

• Advantages:

• No shared walls, reducing noise transfer.
• Greater flexibility for extensions and renovations.

• Considerations:

• Higher maintenance costs.
• Potentially higher energy bills due to exposed walls.

​

Semi-detached Houses

• A pair of houses joined by a single party wall

� • Characteristics:

• Common in suburban areas.
• Often mirror images of each other.
• Usually have front and back gardens.

• Comparison with detached houses:

• More affordable.
• Less privacy on one side.
• Often more energy-efficient due to shared wall.

​

• Popular with families due to balance of space and cost

​

​

Terraced Houses

• A row of houses joined by party walls on both sides.� • Features:

• Uniform appearance, often built in Victorian or Edwardian eras.
• Typically narrower but extend further back.
• Usually have small front gardens and longer back gardens.

� • End terrace: The house at the end of a row, with only one shared wall.

Often slightly larger or with potential for side extensions� • Advantages:

• More affordable than detached or semi-detached.
• Energy-efficient due to shared walls.

​

Bungalows

• Bungalows are single-storey houses, either detached or semi-detached.� • Types:

• Traditional bungalow: All rooms on ground floor.
• Chalet bungalow: Additional living space in the roof.

• Popularity:

• Favoured by older residents and those with mobility issues.
• Becoming less common due to land scarcity.

• Advantages:

• Easy maintenance and accessibility.
• Potential for extension into loft space.

​

Flats

• These are self-contained residential units within a larger building.� • Types:

Purpose-built: In blocks designed specifically as flats.

Converted: Created by dividing larger houses.

• Characteristics:

• Range from studio apartments to multi-bedroom units.
• Often have shared facilities (e.g., gardens, parking).

• Popularity:

• Common in urban areas.
• Attractive to first-time buyers and young professionals.

​

Duplex/Maisonette

• Duplex: A flat spanning two floors, often with internal stairs, but may share a common entrance and hallway with other units.� • Maisonette: Two dwellings split horizontally. Spread over two floors. Similar to duplex, but typically with its own external entrance and staircase. �

• Features:

• Combine aspects of houses and flats.
• Often found in converted period properties or modern developments.

• Advantages:

• More spacious than single-level flats.
• Potential for better separation of living and sleeping areas.

​

Cottages

• Characteristics:

Typically small, cosy dwellings.

Often over 100 years old.

Usually found in rural or village settings.

• Features:

Thick walls, small windows, and low ceilings.

Often with period features like exposed beams.

• Modern interpretations:

New-build properties mimicking traditional cottage style.

• Appeal:

Charm and character.

Popular as holiday homes or for those seeking rural lifestyle.

​

Mansions

• These are large, impressive houses with multiple bedrooms and storeys.� • Features:

• Extensive grounds and gardens.
• High-end finishes and amenities.
• Often include leisure facilities (e.g., swimming pools, tennis courts).

• Historical examples:

Stately homes and country estates.

• Modern mansions:

• Custom-built luxury homes.
• High-end developments in exclusive areas.

​

​

Manor Houses

• Large country houses with substantial grounds.

� • Historical significance:

• Originally built for wealthy landowners or aristocrats.
• Often central to rural communities.

• Current uses:

• Private residences.
• Hotels or event venues.
• Sometimes divided into multiple dwellings.

• Preservation:

Many are listed buildings, protected for their historical importance.

​

Prefabricated Houses

• History:

• Built rapidly post-WWII to address housing shortages.
• Intended as temporary accommodation (20-year lifespan).

• Characteristics:

• Single-storey.
• Constructed from pre-made sections.
• Often made with materials like asbestos (now a concern).

• Current status:

• Many still inhabited despite intended temporary nature.
• Some have been refurbished or replaced.

• Considerations:

• Potential structural issues due to age.
• Historical interest and nostalgia factor.

​

Summary

• Recap of main property types:

Detached, semi-detached, terraced, bungalows, flats, duplexes/maisonettes, cottages, mansions, manor houses, prefabs.�• Factors influencing property choices:

Budget, location preferences, family size, lifestyle needs.

Maintenance requirements and energy efficiency.

Historical interest vs modern amenities�• Importance of understanding property types for informed decision-making.

Group-assessment Task

Visit a popular property listing website for your region (e.g. Rightmove, Zoopla, OnTheMarket).

Search for detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses in your chosen area or postcode.

For each property type, select one example and note down:

• Total floor plans
• how space is utilised in each property type/differences in interior and exterior arrangements
• Asking price

Reflect on your findings:

1. How do layouts differ between detached, semi-detached, and terraced houses?
2. What factors contribute to price variations? Consider factors that might influence the price (e.g. location, condition, age)
3. Are there any surprising observations?

​

Bibliography

Barker, C. (2024) What is a duplex apartment? Are duplexes popular in the UK?. Available at: https://www.belvoir.co.uk/articles/what-is-a-duplex-apartment/#:~:text=Duplex%20vs%20Maisonette:%20What's%20the,in%20a%20larger%20apartment%20building. (Accessed: 11 September 2024)

Battrick Clark Solicitors (2024) What type of property should I buy?. Available at: https://www.battrickclark.co.uk/resources/types-of-house/ (Accessed: 20 August 2024)

Doherty, P. D. (2024) 8 types of houses - a comprehensive guide (with pictures). Available at: https://www.propertyinvestor.academy/blog/types-of-houses (Accessed: 19 August 2024)

Pearson (2017) BTEC national construction student book. London: Pearson.

Petty Son & Prestwich (2024) Different types of UK property explained. Available at: https://www.pettyson.co.uk/about-us/our-blog/578-types-of-property (Accessed: 19 August 2024)

PropertyPriceAdvice (2019) What are the different types of housing in the UK?. Available at: https://www.propertypriceadvice.co.uk/moving-home/housing-types-uk (Accessed: 19 August 2024).

Tallbox (2024) Terraced vs semi-detached vs detached: how to choose. Available at: https://www.tallboxdesign.com/terraced-vs-semi-detached-vs-detached/ (Accessed: 19 August 2024)

​