Buying a house with a crack in the adjoining wall?

emma78_2

Hi Everyone,

We've been househunting for a while now and have now made an offer on the house that we're currently renting.

The owner has now told us there is a crack in the adjoining wall to the neighbours, runnning down from the roof. He said that his survey (about 3 1/2 yrs ago) came back saying it was all fine and that the crack had been there since the house was built in the 30's. So it's nothing to worry about. But I'm not convinced on believing him as obviously he wants to sell and get his money. I went and spoke to the neighbours and he said that when he first saw the crack he was quite worried, but their surveyor said it was all fine (about 2/3 yrs ago) and did some tests. Apparently the dust in the crack has been there for ages and isn't "fresh" dust. Hmmm, not sure about that one??!!!

So really I'm just wanting a bit of advice.I know we could get an independent survey done, but I'm reluctant to spend the money if it's going to come back saying "ahh, no, house will fall down in a few years"!! We're not so worried about the house now, but if we want to sell it on in say 5 / 8 years would it be a major problem, would it really put people off? As we're first time buyers is it silly to buy something that cause us major problems?

Thanks
Emma

JennyW_2

are you able to get sight of these results saying it's "fine"? What sort of crack is it, how wide, how long?

silvercar

He said that his survey (about 3 1/2 yrs ago) came back saying it was all fine

Ask to see his survey.

Doozergirl

Most houses of a certain age will show signs of settlement. It's normal. With a house of that age, you should have a survey done anyway, even so you know what needs doing in the future.

I'd take what the vendor says with a pinch of salt, but if next door aren't worried either then I wouldn't pull out for just that reason. If they have a copy of their survey still, it would obviously help you and be in the vendor's interest too.

BoL

lynzpower

I personally woudlnt buy somewhere without a survey. You can see this crack, but there may be other issues you cant see. For a few hundred quid, Id pay it. Unless you are satisfied with the contents of your LL's survey and your lender is happy with that too.

SamMoffatt28

The survey is expensive (about £400) for a full structural survey but it is well worth the money as they can tell you whether the crack is going to need any repair work in the future and how much it will cost. Also, if you are getting a mortgage, the mortgage company might state as a requirement of releasing the money to you that you get a strutural survey done. That is what happened to me. I didnt have to get the work done but I had to provide quotes to the mortgage company on how much the repair work would cost. In my opinion, it is better to be safe than sorry as that apparently harmless crack that you didnt want to pay out money for a survey on, might turn into a huge problem if it is caused by subsidence and could cost you thousands to put right in the future.

cattie

SamMoffatt28 wrote:

The survey is expensive (about £400) for a full structural survey but it is well worth the money as they can tell you whether the crack is going to need any repair work in the future and how much it will cost. .

I think you'll find that a full structural will cost at least double this amount. £400 is the average price for the middle of the road Homebuyer's Survey & that wouldn't be suitable here.

SamMoffatt28

cattie wrote:

I think you'll find that a full structural will cost at least double this amount. £400 is the average price for the middle of the road Homebuyer's Survey & that wouldn't be suitable here.

I was just going by what it cost me. I had a full structural report done,it cost £432. It was 18 months ago and I guess different companies in different areas probably vary in price.

emma78_2

Thanks everyone for all that information. Really appreciated.

I spent the morning phoning independent surveyors getting different quotes, mostly around £500, which was what I was expecting.

I spoke to one guy who was so helpful, he wouldn't stop talking for about 40 minutes! The one thing he said that no one else has mentioned yet, is that in 2007 the government are bringing in a pre-purchase survey, So all sellers will have to pay for this survey and then it's shown to all prospective buyers. It won't show up "good" things such as victorian fireplaces, garages, big gardens etc, only the bad points. So then either 2 things could happen, people could think ok, a crack in the wall, but we could negotiate a really good bargain here, or people would not even bother looking. Does anyone else have any information on this new survey?

We need to now decied if it's worth paying out money for the survey or just walk away now!!

Emma

robwend

if you want the house pay out, theres no other option is there:D

robnye

robwend wrote:

if you want the house pay out, theres no other option is there:D

seconded......:D