Homes we survey in Luton and Dunstable
Luton made its name in the straw hat trade, and the terraces of the Victorian and Edwardian town still surround the centre, along with former hat factories that have become flats and offices. The town grew rapidly in the 20th century. A large part of the housing we inspect dates from the 1940s to the 1970s, much of it semi-detached, on estates stretching out to places such as Stopsley, Leagrave, Lewsey Farm and Marsh Farm.
Dunstable, where Watling Street crosses the Icknield Way, is an older market town with its priory church at the centre, surrounded by interwar and post-war housing. Houghton Regis expanded after the war and has been growing again with new estates to the north. Houses from the 1980s and 1990s add more variety, and concrete tiled roofs are the norm across the area.
From our survey reports in Luton and Dunstable
Based on 39 DBISS surveys in 5 postcode districts since 2022. Figures are rounded; homes can fall in more than one wall category.
When the homes were built
Property types
- 41% semi-detached
- 15% detached
- 10% end-terrace
- 10% flat
Main walls
77% cavity masonry · 13% solid masonry
What to look out for
Post-war semis are usually practical houses, but many have been altered over the years and the quality of that work varies. Points to check include:
- roof coverings and underlays near the end of their life, and lofts insulated without enough ventilation, which can lead to condensation
- loft conversions and extensions, for which your solicitor should ask for building regulations completion certificates
- asbestos cement in garage roofs, soffits and flue pipes, and textured ceiling coatings that may contain asbestos
- cavity insulation added later, and corroded wall ties in older cavity walls
Much of the area sits on the chalk of the Chilterns, and natural solution features can occur in chalk, so read the ground section of your environmental search.
Parts of Luton near the airport are inside its flight restriction zone, where drones need the airport's permission to fly (CAA drone code), so we check every address beforehand.
Which survey?
A Level 2 Home Survey (from £440) suits most conventional semis in reasonable order. For Victorian terraces, converted buildings or houses with major extensions, choose a Level 3 Building Survey (from £550); its price includes a drone roof inspection where flight is permitted. If you are working to a tight timetable, an express report within 2 working days is available for an extra fee. If you are still unsure, our survey guide walks through the choice.
Areas we cover
We cover LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4, LU5 and LU6, taking in Luton, Dunstable, Houghton Regis and villages such as Caddington, Toddington, Totternhoe and Eaton Bray. All six districts are within about 25 miles of Hemel Hempstead, the distance up to which we charge no travel supplement.
Nearby: Leighton Buzzard, St Albans and Harpenden and Stevenage, Hitchin and Letchworth.