Survey back - should we be concerned?

Mrs_Optimist

Have received our Survey on the house we want to buy. Everything is unremarkable except there is a paragraph about Beetle Infestation in the roof which may require a specialist coming out to eradicate. Is this something we should be concerned about? There is no mention of having to revisit to inspect further and the mortgage company have approved our mortgage. Has anyone come across this before? Is it quite common?

Madjock

Have you received your mortgage offer?
Check whether the lender requires a specialist report and arrange to have it done via the EA. If work is required then either negotiate a reduction in price, or an allowance from the vendor.

boom

Mrs_Optimist wrote:

Have received our Survey on the house we want to buy. Everything is unremarkable except there is a paragraph about Beetle Infestation in the roof which may require a specialist coming out to eradicate. Is this something we should be concerned about? There is no mention of having to revisit to inspect further and the mortgage company have approved our mortgage. Has anyone come across this before? Is it quite common?

Your best bet is to phone up the surveyor who did the work - it's quite normal for the home buyer to do this - and ask him/her for more information. They will also be able to give you a broad price guide as to how much it will cost.

Doozergirl

You just need a Damp & Timber specialist out to look at it. If it does need treating, it probably won't cost more than a couple of hundred pounds.

It's quite common and often, the little critters are long gone.

I've bought the house that Jack built. Lord knows how it's still standing! The Damp & Timber man will eat well this month. When I saw the joists for the dining room, I stopped going in there!

Mrs_Optimist

Thank you everyone for your replies - has settled my mind a bit - mortgage offer has definately been approved, told verbally, will be confirmed in writiing by next week. Is this something we can deal with after we have moved is? Do not intend upsetting our vendor as she is

a) very old lady
b) has been very reasonable with our offer
c) very accommodating (?) with dates etc

Will ring surveyor on Monday, I have to say I am so impressed with the Woolwich who are our mortgage people. survey was requested, carried out and report submitted and received by us in 5 working days!

MortgageMamma

Does your report say there are signs of historic beetle infestation or more recent? reason I'm asking is if its historic it usually just requires a damp and timber specialist to give them confirmation that its historic and there are no further problems, if its more recent it may need treating.

Contact woolwich or your surveyor and ask what qualifications your specialist needs to have, as lenders have certain requirements, and not everyone who claims to be a timber and damp specialist is qualified to write the reports.

Doozergirl

If the mortgage company have issued the mortgage offer then it sounds like they are not worried about the possible required work affecting the value of the house.

So yes, it looks like you can go ahead and purchase the house and deal with the matter without bothering the old lady

Mrs_Optimist

The Survey says

"The main roof to the property is as original (1930s) and it chould be noted that there is no underfelt beneath the tiling. Careful consideration to maintenance will be required".

"There is evidence of beetle infestation affecting the main roof carcassing and treatment by a specialist contractor is recommended if this has not already been carried out."

dunstonh

Is this something we should be concerned about? There is no mention of having to revisit to inspect further and the mortgage company have approved our mortgage. Has anyone come across this before? Is it quite common?

Was the surveyor employed by you or the lender?

The lender's valuation report wouldn't go into that sort of detail and they wouldn't be aware of it. They are just simple valuation reports. If you employed the surveyor, the lender wouldn't be aware of these details. If the lender employed the surveyor (on the assumption that they offered a multi-tiered survey options) which you paid an increase charge for, then you would expect the lender to be told.

Mrs_Optimist

We paid for a Homebuyers survey, organised by our mortgage company. I think I will call the surveyor this morning and have a quick chat about it. It seemed non-committal, just trying to find SOMETHING to write a report about I guess - the rest is fine.

firesidemaid

hi there

we had a similar thing on our survey about woodworm etc. and i would agree with everyone else, get a damp and timber specialist to come out and have a look.

have a look in local local directory/yellow pages - the good ones will do the assessment/survey for free and then give you a report/quote for any works required.

rentokil didn't do a free survey when i was looking. but i had 3 other companies come out. one recommended by the e/agents quoted really cheap and seemed too dodgy. the other 2 quotes came out similar. i then got the company i liked best to price-match the slightly cheaper one, and asked for a discount then for paying up front in cash.

you may also want to pay a small amount for insuring the company shoould it go bust so that your guarantee for the works is for 25 years. they all offer this, but if you think the company is solid etc don't worry.

cheers!:beer: