The different types of property in Fulham and how to look after them

Fulham property types fall into five rough categories, and each one fails in its own way. If you've just moved in, are about to start maintenance work, or are weighing up an offer on something different from your current place, here's what to expect from each — and what to plan for to look after it properly.

The five Fulham property types you'll actually see

1. Victorian terrace (1850–1900)

The default Fulham property. Two- or three-storey brick terraces, with a rear addition (the "back addition") running into the garden. Lath-and-plaster walls, original timber sash windows where they haven't been replaced, slate or clay tile pitched roof at the front, flat felt roof on the back addition. Found everywhere south of New King's Road and east of Fulham Palace Road.

What goes wrong first: rear addition roof (15–20 year lifespan, then it goes), chimney stack lead flashing, rising damp on lower courses, single-glazed sash windows, valley gutters between terraces silting up.

2. Edwardian semi-detached and bay-fronted terrace (1900–1918)

Slightly later, often larger than the pure Victorian terrace, with deeper front bays, more decorative brickwork, and sometimes pebbledash. Found around Eel Brook Common, parts of Parsons Green, and pockets of Hurlingham.

What goes wrong first: pebbledash spalling and detaching, bay window lead flashing failing, parapet wall cracks on the more decorative roofs, original cast-iron rainwater goods rusting through.

3. Mansion blocks (1880s–1930s)

Purpose-built flats in five- to seven-storey blocks, mostly along Fulham Road, Fulham Palace Road, and around Munster Village. Communal staircases, central lift, freeholder + managing agent layered above leaseholder.

What goes wrong first: communal area decoration getting deferred, lift mechanical service intervals slipping, flat roof on the top of the block (everyone forgets it exists), individual flat windows where the block as a whole agreed to keep the original sashes.

Maintenance reality: nothing material happens without management agent sign-off, and nothing fast happens without lining up the AGM cycle. Plan 6–12 months ahead for anything bigger than a leaking tap.

4. Post-war infill (1945–1980)

Council and former-council estates around Sands End, parts of Walham Green, and pockets across SW6. Mix of concrete-frame medium-rise, brick-built low-rise, and a few towers. Now mostly leasehold (Right-to-Buy and onward sales) or housing association.

What goes wrong first: spalling concrete on balcony soffits, cold-bridging at window reveals, communal area decoration, original metal windows where they've survived, single-skin walls in some of the cheaper-built blocks.

5. Modern conversion and newbuild (2000+)

Subdivided Victorian terraces converted into 2–3 flats, plus a wave of newbuild infill (Imperial Wharf, Chelsea Creek, and one-off back-of-plot developments). Newbuild flats hit a snagging window at year 2–5 once the developer's snag list expires.

What goes wrong first (conversions): poorly insulated subdivisions, plumbing routed through neighbour's flat, fire compartmentation skipped in cheap conversions. Newbuilds: shrinkage cracks, failed mastic, integrated mechanical systems out of warranty.

What changes how you look after each type

• Leasehold vs freehold — mansion blocks, conversions, newbuilds all add a layer of approvals before you can do most external work. Budget extra time, not extra money.
• Conservation area status — Hurlingham, Moore Park, Bishop's Park, Walham Green all restrict materials and external changes. Article 4 directions tighten it further on a property-by-property basis.
• Original vs replaced features — a Victorian terrace with original sashes needs a draught-proofing specialist; one with PVC replacements needs nothing more than annual washing.
• Roof type — pitched slate roofs last 80+ years if maintained; flat felt roofs on back additions are a 15–20 year asset.

The first five things to check on any Fulham property

1. When was the flat roof on the back addition last done?
2. When was the chimney stack and its lead flashing last inspected?
3. Are there working trickle vents (or are they taped shut)?
4. Is there evidence of damp in the lower 800mm of any wall, internal or external?
5. What's the boiler service history?

Two of those five questions — the back addition roof and the chimney — account for most of the calls we take across SW6.

Call Fulham BM for a fixed-quote property condition survey. 20+ years across SW6 stock of every era, FMB and CHAS accredited. Request a quote at fulhambm.co.uk.