HELP! Failed Survey - Single Skin Brickwork

andymanseven

Can I just flag up a distinction between 'single skin' and non-cavity wall. What 'unsure' means in the above post is that most houses built pre-1930s do not have cavity walls, but they will still have walls built to a depth of two bricks or more. Single skin generally refers to construction with a single layer of bricks - it tends to occur for example in single storey rear extensions built in the 1950s which would not meet modern construction codes or building regulations.

The real issue here is that we have a listed building built in the early part of the 19th century. Without knowledge of the exact property it is impossible to speculate whether the construction is adequate, but it will certainly pre-date most of the housing stock in the UK and as such will not follow any standard construction code. Mortgage companies are notoriously wary of any form of non-standard construction. So I wouldn't necessarily say walk away, but you will need to satisfy yourself with a suitably qulaified specialist surveyor that the building is sound and find someone willing to lend on it, as well as recognising that this could have an impact on its saleability in future.

hcb42

I am surprised at this, but will recheck my facts based on the last post.

I have always understood my house to be single skin, never had a mortgage problem, first with halifax and then with the Barclays.

Three storey victorian property circa 1901.

unsure

Andysevenman,
You are quite right and the distinction is important. Apologies if I have misled. I was taking "single skin" to mean non cavity wall as that was the phrase our builders used when we had some work done about three years ago.
If indeed it is the case that "a susbstantial part" of a three story dwelling is supported by only a single row of bricks then I can see there would indeed by cause for concern. Such construction is fine for a garage but if it's supporting the house above I can see why the surveyor/estate agent might be concerned and unwilling to lend, though presumably strengthening might be a possibility if needed.
I must say I'd never put much faith in a housebuyer's report/valuation survey. I've always had full structural surveys and always thought the peace of mind they brought was worth the money paid...even if it made me walk away from a house I'd know it was the right thing to do. Think OP needs to establish the exact nature of the construction and the objections raised and make his decision from there.

liubeliu

hcb42 wrote: »

Three storey victorian property circa 1901.

Was you house built before the 22nd January 1901? Otherwise your house is Edwardian :-)

warehouse

strikesy wrote: »

They are very keen to move us along, to the point of coming across as pushy, telling me that the vendors will even pay for our next survey, as well as the charge for using the estate agents.

Forget the single skin walls, this would be enough to set alarm bells ringing on any purchase.