HELP! Failed Survey - Single Skin Brickwork

plane_boy2000

Walk away - no doubt that in years to come this perceived problem will still exist and you could end up stuck, or having to take a big hit to get rid of it.

I am not surprised the agent is pushy - probably knows that these are difficult to shift and can see his commission sinking away

Jamiemac

Amphion wrote: »

There are lenders out there who will provide a mortgage for these types of property.

Hi,

Out of interest, can anyone suggest lenders who are currently providing mortgages for single skin properties?

Cheers

roddydogs

? Surely the age must be a factor, loads of single skin 30s built out there, never heard of anyone having a problem.

Daryl_S_2

Get someone who knows what they are talking about to look at it. ie a Chartered Building Surveyor.
Sadly, valuation surveyors know about 'property' but not always about 'building'.

It's for this reason that the mortgage valuer who inspected my own purchase didn't pick up on unsafe electrics and significant insect attack (woodworm) to structural timbers. Conversely on the property i tried to sell, they recommended that remedial cavity wall ties be installed (which weren't required) and that a section of render be removed to prevent bridging of the damp proof course, when the render was in fact a waterproofing layer installed at the date of construction in the 1920s!

I picked up on these because i am a CBS, but it scared the life out of the purchaser who insisted the work be done regardless.
And that is the problem you'll face when you try to sell, someone who doesn't know what they are talking about frightening the life out of someone who thinks they are being advised by someone who does know what they are talking about. They'll either a) walkaway or b) minimise their risk as much as possible in terms of reducing their offer or making you do extensive remedial works/improvements.

Catslovelycats

I hope you resolve this in a way you're happy with.
I had to make the difficult decision to walk away from a property after a damning survey a couple of years ago.
It wasn't easy at the time because it was the 'dream house', but I wasn't willing to risk future problems with it.
Personal (not professional) advice to you is to walk away, as others have said.
All the best with your decision and keep us posted.

paulmapp8306

Im looking now - and my rule is, if the lenders surveyer produces a report that the lender declines to lend on - then Im not buying the house.

There may or may not be anything in it - BUT I wouldnt want to have something I wanted to move from later that had potential problems for suture buyers.

cb1979

I would walk away,Some of the estate agents i have delt with in the past will tell you anything to make a sale
As time goes on it will probably be even more difficult to mortgage certain types of property

muffinthecat

I've been looking at a property which is approx 1850 and needs completely updating. It's a lovely little 2 bed cottage which we think may be single skin...the back part of the house definately is! I have been looking at many sites about the issue of getting a mortgage but as I'm potentially going to be paying £115,000 for it I wonder whether it would be worth the risk! There has been planning permission given for a double height extension to the rear which includes the bathroom/kitchenand some foundation strengthening. It is a complete dilemma as to whether I spend the money on getting a survey or walk away without knowing. It wasn't until a builder visited with an estate agent that there were any questions about getting a mortgage! I feel your pain!!!!

muffinthecat

A little extra note....what is going to happen to these lovely old houses if noone will mortgage them??? What a shame it is to lose all this heritage and these lovely character properties? I feel we are too quick in this country to dismiss and throw out the old.....

unsure

Most houses built pre 1930 will be single skin (mine built 1895 certainly is), while it might make insulating more difficult and therefore add to your fuel bills, it certainly shouldn't effect the structural integrity of your building or lead to it being condemned unless there is some other serious problem.
We bought our house 10 years ago and at that point there was certainly no problem sourcing a mortgage, we had our pick of several lenders and chose Nationwide. Nobody suggested at any stage (including a full structural survey) that single skin construction on a Victorian house was a problem. My house is likley to be standing long after recent new builds with a paltry 10 year NHBC guarantee are long gone!
This policy doesn't really make any sense unless it's another case of lenders looking for an excuse not to lend as far as I can see.