Buying 1st House - Surveyor Done

sootylfc

Just looking for some advice -

I have had a mortgage accepted with Natwest on a fixed deal for 2 years.

I have a friend who is a Building Surveyor - he went round to have a look at the property and it cam back with the following -


External Roof

• Roof ok externally from a structural prospective, some loose and distorted verge cappings to the rear roof slope (plastic) should be refixed. General maintenance of the roof covering and flashings is required. Could not get inside the roof due to the storage.

External – Main Elevations

• Need to update and maintain the flashing below the front left hand bedroom window.
• The canopy over the front door is a bit loose and the flashing is missing. The canopy appears to be supported from steel built into the house, this is corroding. Not a real problem but the canopy needs to be reflashed and future replacement of the canopy / refixing can not be ruled out.
• There is minor hairline cracking below the front extension window due to thermal movement of the bricks, no significant, needs to be repointed.
• Vertical crack at the junction of the rear extension and the rear of the house this is apparent to both sides of the extension due to poor workmanship and a poor construction bond between the 2 structures. Your solicitor should check building regulations approval and planning has been obtained for this rear and side extension. (you may like to get the flat roofs checked to both extension). The cracking to the left hand side of the extension should be raked out and stitched repaired by the insertion of stainless steel stitch bars (estimate about £300 – I can sort you out with a quote if needed)
• The lintel above the rear extension window is corroding causing the brickwork above to crack and lift, this needs to be replaced (estimate £500, I can get you a quote If needed)
• The gully to the side of the rear extension appears to have an unacceptable about of sludge building up probably due to poor maintenance although the wall in the area is also damp. Consider improving this and check the drains to make sure they are free flowing and defect free.
• Some poor brickwork and loose vents to the left hand side due to poor workmanship, can be addressed during the future maintenance of the building.

Internal

• Lots of minor cracks inside nothing to worry about and can be addressed during the future maintenance / redecorations. I would be considered a little over the Artex and if this contains asbestos (given the age of the house it is unlikely but you may wish to check when the artex was done and investigate a cost to remove or overskim)
• There is distortion in the rear extension room with a slope noted between the original kitchen and the extension, this doesn’t seem to be recent or progressive with no cracks in the tiles or gaps at skirting board level, the floor could be releveled during any future repairs.
• There is a step between the hall and the side extension room, again there are no significant gaps at skirting board level to suggest its due to structural recent or ongoing movement.

The house was up for 132 and had been on the market for 2 year.

We finally had a offer accepted for 124 -

The valuation was done by Natwest today so just waiting on the report.

Do we go back to the sellers and tell them about these problems and try to get this knocked off the price - or just go ahead with the move if the valuation is approved?

Thanks

Sooty

hcb42

Depends on the valuation. Just because a house needs work, doesn't mean the vendor has to pay. There will always be something...

sootylfc

Valuation has come back as £124,000

G_M

If you want to try your luck you could ask for a price reducion. You might be lucky. Or the seller might say "you've already had a price reduction and we've agreed a price - this survey shows nothing serious, so no, I won't reduce".

Or he might think you're taking the p*ss and/or not seriously wanting to buy, and put the property back on the market to find a 'serious' buyer.

edit: oh yes - 4th option, he agrees to a price reduction but is really [*ssed off and feels you've 'cheated' him. Ypu'll move in and find no light bulbs etc, and lots of little annoyances left behind - nothing major enough to cause a legal action, but, well, not a nice way to start your new life.