Survey missed "movement"

Really2

Ok lets start from the start.
Have you spoken to the surveyors?

What do you want as the outcome?

but do note

TightGit wrote: »

Note how the homebuyers report recomended a survey as they found signs of subsidence.

This is the bit I am saying. if it was not noticed as it was not obvious (just that the lenders poked around more or did a building survey) I can't see what you want anyone to do.

You are not worse off now as the day they did the report are you not?

I am not being argumentative I just can't see what you want to change?

TightGit

The ideal outcome is that its not subsiding , and we can prove this and therefore get the house. Even more ideal is we wont have to pay for that report ( we have asked estate agents to ask the seller how he feels about getting the report done and if it come back sound then we will buy it off him )

Spoke to the surveyors and they have admitted they should have picked it up, but they are getting the person who went in to ring us. I dont think we will be getting any money back though.

Really2

TightGit wrote: »

The ideal outcome is that its not subsiding , and we can prove this and therefore get the house. Even more ideal is we wont have to pay for that report ( we have asked estate agents to ask the seller how he feels about getting the report done and if it come back sound then we will buy it off him )

Spoke to the surveyors and they have admitted they should have picked it up, but they are getting the person who went in to ring us. I dont think we will be getting any money back though.

But that is the point, you had a report done, had it picked it up you would not be getting any back either.
I can understand you are disapointed by finding out it has a structural problem.
But you were always going to lose the report money had it been flagged or not.

TightGit

So whats the point of the report ?
The point your missing is if we had bought it on their say so we would be 200 grand out of pokcet, luclily someone else noticed.
He has called us back , admitted its his fault if me missed it and said he will happily pay the fees if the house is actually subsiding.

hazyjo

IMO it should have been picked up on a homebuyer's report! That's crazy it was missed! (Sounds like even they've admitted it now.) Would have thought it was basic information on something like that. I've had 'movement' been picked up on a homebuyer's report before but luckily it was all okay. Must be very disappointing for you. Hope it's old movement and that it turns out to be structurally sound now and all goes to plan.

Jx

Cannon_Fodder

Really2 is wrong in saying "All you had was basically a valuation". The implication that it is up to the OP, in perhaps two/three viewings of a property to fully examine every wall for cracks, to then decide on the level of survey is also wrong.

A Homebuyer Report is the middle option, between basic valuation and Full Structural. It does cover subsidence/movement type issues.

The section on "Main Walls" presumably has been completed with a phrase such as;

"There were no significant cracks or distortions to the external walls, indicative of progressive settlement, subsidence or structural movement."


If the purchase had proceeded and then the problem was identified later, you would have to sue the survey company - which is why they have to have Professional Indemnity insurance.

Nothing wrong with the Homebuyers Report, it suits many properties.

The idea that the Lender's valuation picked up something that a Homebuyers Report didn't, is worrying. Not the fault of the OP.

It is possible that some cracks may appear to one experienced surveyor to be of more/less concern than they do to someone less experienced. Finding out which surveyor, Lender's or Allied, was most/least experienced would be interesting to know, even if it does not change anything.

Its a bit worrying that he missed it altogether, instead of it just being a matter of interpretation. Usually they cover their backsides, by mentioning things that are insignificant. Missing cracks altogether is a concern.

I wonder if its worth asking Allied to repeat the survey for free (with a different surveyor), as a gesture of goodwill, to see what they discover second time around. What else was missed?

Some movement issues may end up being joist/structure issues, rather than subsidence/heave. The Lender's basic report needs to be expanded upon. Whether its interior or exterior might be a clue to the extent. You need more than that 1 line in the first post.

Really2

Cannon_Fodder wrote: »

The idea that the Lender's valuation picked up something that a Homebuyers Report didn't, is worrying. Not the fault of the OP.

True, but neither have the people who did the home buyers report admit that their is movement (all they said is it should have been picked up).

The only way of proving it, is a structural survey (perhaps the OP's surveyors may do a discount).

The OP seems to indicate it could be the lender being difficult.

There is one thing for sure, the only way of knowing if there is movement and to what extent is to have a building survey.

It sounds like that is what the lender wants IMHO. Unfortunatly that means paying out for one/.

rrf494g

My view is that the original homebuyers report should have picked up evidence of (possible) movement and recommended further investigation/survey. There may have been unusual circumstances, where the movement is only suspected after certain works have been done (eg moving carpets, digging away soil from exterior walls), but I think the OP has every right to ask the original surveyor why this was not seen, and then consider the answer, to decide if, "balls up" is the right description.

A full structural survey is very expensive, but would seem to be the only way the make the property mortgagable. Good Luck, regards.

TightGit

Well all is resolved... seller pulled out last night

So its cost us over 13k to get to this point, wonderful.

Next question , the surveyor says if he missed it he will refund us.

Im obviously not getting a full survey done on the house now. If i ask for the report from the lender are they likely to give it to me so i can at least show the original surveyor something and try and get some money back ?

Cheers folks.

sonastin

It hasn't really cost you £13k - that money has paid of your mortgage so you're now saving interest and in a better position with the mortgage co for next time. OK so you've lost £13k in available cash but its not gone from your finances completely.

It might very well be the valuation surveyor who has made the mistake. I'd still ask the lender for a copy of their report, and ask your surveyor to re-visit the property to see if he did indeed miss somthing during his first visit. If you can recoup the cost of the homebuyers report, that should help some.

Has the vendor pulled out because of the settlement issue? Or just because it seems like you can't get a mortgage on this property? If its the latter, perhaps he'll still be willing to sell it to you if you can get this resolved. So if your surveyor comes back saying he has double-checked and sees no sign of movement, perhaps you can challenge the lender, as your more-in-depth-double-checked survey hasn't picked up any indications of settlement.