No support in situ for chimney's breast

cherry76

I have just found that the removal chimney breast on the house I have put an offer has no support. Vendors do not think it is an issue and will not negotiate. EA gave me three options "do nothing, remove chimney breasts from second bedroom and bathroom and put support through roof or fit brackets but there is not a lot of room and it would look unsightly so option 1 or 2 would be an option. This would cost about £2.5k plus VAT and redecoration so be nearer £4k". He also said if the neighbour has removed theirs, then I cannot remove mine. I understand you have to give your neighbour wall partition notice. Am I correct? The house is in a conservation and I am surprised it has not been done correctly. What people will be involved if I decide to go ahead and get it done properly e.g structural engineer, builder and council? I think I will have to walk away for this and in future go for a more modern house. It is 100 yrs. What advice can anybody give me? Thanks

1echidna

Sounds like the vendors are living in an unsafe house and possibly uninsured as they have done modifications without the appropriate building regs. One of those things which could fail at any time and to my mind something they should rectify ASAP. If they do not accept that it is their problem I would walk away.

spuds_2

There was a similar thread to this the other day. Is it definitely unsupported, or do they not know whether it was supported with a rsj or not? Has this come to light during the survey? It may be that the chimney breast had been removed and supported, but that it was done without building reg's approval. You can lift the floorboards upstairs and check usually.

The house is unlikely to fall down without notice, but it is something you would want to address if you were living there. You would need a builder and building reg's approval to remedy the work. I think £2.5k is a bit expensive, but is it worth getting a few quotes and asking the vender to go halves?

I think it depends how much you like the house and if it represents good value. There are always problems with older properties, but they have more character.

cherry76

Yes, it is definitely unsupported. I do not think vendors were aware of this until I told them it was flagged during the building survey. They are not prepared to negotiate on this as they do not think it is an issue but it is to me. I do not think it represents good value now as to put all some of the issues right will cost me approx 15k. I put an offer on this house because it is in good decorative order and I have no budget to spend more money and redecorating the house as well. Have to walk away. Thanks

SplanK

if they are not willing to negotiate, and you do not think it is good value - clearly the house is a time bomb ready to go off without action then you are right to walk away - you never know they may crawl back to you later and negotiate onc e they realise they cant shift it without either repairs or dropping the price!

trumpton

Splank is right. If it came up on your survey, it will come up on other's and they may well come back to you. In view of the amount of work needed, I think you are probably right to walk away. It is a shame you have had to spend money on a survey, but something better value will come along. Despite some of the news reports, it is still a buyers market. Good luck.