Overview
The Aberdeen Corporation house is an in-situ reinforced concrete house designed by Aberdeen Corporation and built in 1939. It formed part of a wider effort to address housing shortages with affordable, durable homes. A total of 120 were built, located mainly in Aberdeen.
The houses are semi-detached and terraced bungalows and chalet bungalows, and they are a distinctive part of the local housing stock.
Typical characteristics & construction
The house sits on concrete strip footings with a damp-proof course to resist rising moisture. The external walls are rendered dense reinforced concrete: 7 inches thick to the front and rear, and 8 inches thick to the gable, where they are lined with woodwool slabs. Horizontal and vertical reinforcement is located centrally within the concrete walls.
The separating wall is 6-inch precast concrete blocks, tied to the chimney breast with hoop-iron ties. Internal partitions are brick and block. The first floor is timber boarding on timber joists. The construction of the ground floor is not well documented, and nor are the ceilings, which are likely to be plaster or plasterboard.
The roof is timber rafters with timber dormer windows, covered with concrete tiles, a durable and weather-resistant combination for the Scottish climate.
| Element | Typical construction | Inspection focus |
|---|---|---|
| Substructure | Concrete strip footings, DPC | Movement or settlement, DPC condition, rising damp |
| External walls | Rendered dense RC: 7-inch front and rear, 8-inch gable lined with woodwool slabs; central reinforcement | Render condition, damp and moisture ingress, structural movement |
| Chimney breasts and stacks | Separating wall tied to chimney breast with hoop-iron ties | Cracking |
| Separating wall and partitions | 6-inch PC blocks; brick and block partitions | General condition, cracking |
| Floors | Ground floor not well documented; timber boarding on timber joists at first floor | Timber decay |
| Roof | Timber rafters, timber dormer windows, concrete tiles | Tile condition, timber decay |
| Bay windows | Curved bays to the front elevation, where present | General condition, damp around frames |
Potential hazards & inspection priorities
Primary concern: cracking of chimney breasts and stacks
Cracking of the chimney breasts and stacks is one of the most common issues with Aberdeen Corporation houses. Thermal movement, settlement and structural loading are among the causes. In practice, it needs identifying and dealing with before it becomes serious, and regular inspection and maintenance are what achieve that.
Secondary concerns: damp and timber decay
Despite the damp-proof course, these houses remain susceptible to damp and moisture ingress, particularly through the external walls and around windows and doors. The render should be checked for signs of damp, and the DPC for signs of rising damp. Regular maintenance of the DPC and appropriate waterproofing reduce the risk.
The timber in the roof structure and the floors is prone to decay where it is exposed to moisture. Regular inspection and treatment with appropriate preservatives help prevent it.
Long-term consideration: movement and services
The concrete strip footings should be checked for signs of movement or settlement, and the interior for signs of structural movement. The plumbing and electrical systems should be assessed, along with any leaks or water damage.
Is this house right for you?
The Aberdeen Corporation house is a distinctive and historically significant system-built property, built to be durable and affordable. It has its own set of defects, and understanding them is part of keeping the house well maintained and safe.
- Commission a full building survey
- Check the chimney breasts and stacks for cracking
- Look for damp through the walls and around windows and doors
- Have the roof and floor timbers checked for decay
Knowing the construction details, common defects and hazards allows a buyer to make an informed decision.
Mortgage & resale considerations
Aberdeen Corporation houses are not designated as defective under the Housing Defects Act 1984. Thorough inspection and assessment remain essential, so that structural defects, damp and timber decay are identified and dealt with.
What a survey can — and cannot — tell you
A building survey provides an informed assessment of the visible condition and construction of an Aberdeen Corporation house. Inspections are non-intrusive and limited to areas that are accessible at the time of inspection.
- Identify visible cracking to chimney breasts and stacks
- Assess signs of dampness and moisture ingress, including rising damp and damp around windows and doors
- Comment on the render, roof tiles, dormers and bay windows
- Review accessible roof and floor timbers, partitions and separating walls
- Highlight defects that may require repair, monitoring, or further investigation
However, there are limitations to what a survey can determine without intrusive investigation.
- Confirm the condition of reinforcement concealed within the concrete walls
- Assess the hoop-iron ties and other concealed fixings
- Confirm the construction of the ground floor and ceilings where it is not visible
- Inspect areas that are inaccessible or covered at the time of inspection
Where higher-risk indicators are identified, further specialist or intrusive investigation may be recommended.
