A purpose-built flat is a self-contained dwelling within a building that was originally designed and constructed to contain multiple flats, rather than a later conversion of a single house. Across North London, purpose-built blocks are common in Camden, Westminster, Brent and Hackney, ranging from interwar mansion blocks to modern high-rise developments. Drainage characteristics typically include shared internal soil stacks serving stacked bathrooms and kitchens, with horizontal branches to each flat connecting to the main stack. Common issues include blockages on shared stacks affecting multiple flats simultaneously, leaks at branch connections between floors, and disputes over responsibility for repairs between leaseholder, freeholder and managing agent. The lease usually defines who is responsible for which sections of pipework. Block management companies often arrange annual stack maintenance to reduce risk.
Flat (purpose-built)
Self-contained dwelling within a building designed for multiple occupation.
