A major developer converted an old hospital complex into apartments. This involved replacement of timber elements with new pre-treated timber throughout. However, inadequate provision was made to prevent water penetration during works and for drying during and after refurbishment. In particular, the original air bricks to the sub-oor voids became blocked. Party walls and mineral bre insulation obstructed through and cross ventilation. Localized defects in damp proong and failures in ground and surface drainage allowed further water penetration. This provided the conditions for dry rot (Serpula lacrymans) infection to reactivate in the damp brickwork at the base of the walls. The infection spread across ground-oor structures in 20 of the new apartments, resulting in structural decay. Ev

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