First Time Buyer HELP!!! PLEASE!!!

petchy

Ok folks, here we go! We have got the survey back.

First thing the house was built in 98’ and apparently at the front the house has moved to “settle” and apparently to a level that is acceptable, and would be acceptable if sold again.

Other things the survey has brought back is that the loft insulation needs to be increased to 25cm, there is brick work that needs to be done in the loft. A title on the roof needs replacing, the front external door is done to a basic standard, and may need replacing. The doors in the house are all basic and may need replacing. Fence panels have blown down and not been replaced. In the bathroom things need re sealing and there are a few bits that need replacing.

The only other thing was about the windows that are PVCu. Apparently condensation can occur between the glass in them, and this is suspect after 10 years… however to my knowledge I don’t think any of them have gone…

I have told the estate agents that there are a few problems, and I’ll have to get some quotes. Is this the right thing to do…how much do people think it’ll all cost? What do you think I can do about the windows? Will they go? The surveyor said they are approaching the point where they are coming to an end?

Any thoughts? Anything will help!

Doozergirl

What you have here is a very good result on the survey. What you're looking at is a structurally sound house. It is second hand, people have lived in it and you need to accept wear and tear. If I were selling this house I would fx the items for you, but only because I sell houses as if they were new and I don't expect people to have to fix things when I've gone.

None of this stuff affects the value of the house so it is unfair to try and renegotiate based on these, however you could ask for some things to be fixed but there's no doubt there is a little cheek involved. Even if the vendor refused, it won't cost much more than £500 to sort, I should think and it can all be done over time.

Other things the survey has brought back is that the loft insulation needs to be increased to 25cm This is something you can do when you move in. Loft insulation is pretty cheap and it's almost always BOGOF in B&Q

there is brick work that needs to be done in the loft.What kind of brickwork? Is it terraced? It could be a firebreak in which case it can be as messy as you like, and just need to be done in breeze block

A title on the roof needs replacing, You could ask them to fix this

the front external door is done to a basic standard, and may need replacing. The doors in the house are all basic and may need replacing. There is no way you can renegotiate anything on this. It's personal taste. You've seen the doors, you accepted them when you made your offer

Fence panels have blown down and not been replaced. You could ask them to fix this

In the bathroom things need re sealing and there are a few bits that need replacing. I'd do this yourself when you move in. A tube of sealant is pennies

The only other thing was about the windows that are PVCu. Apparently condensation can occur between the glass in them, and this is suspect after 10 years… however to my knowledge I don’t think any of them have gone…
What do you think I can do about the windows? Will they go? The surveyor said they are approaching the point where they are coming to an end?I can't believe that the windows are on their way out after 9 years. If there are units which have condensation between, then you can just replace the units. You could ask for it to be done.

Richard_Webster

Doozergirl's conclusions look very sensible to me!

As a conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful but I accept no liability except to fee-paying clients

MJMum

I agree.

We negotiated a reduction in the purchase price, but only for really quite major items (£1k+) which need doing immediately we move in to make the place safe. (There was a lsit as long as your arm of "other stuff" which will need doing eventually).