Defect not picked up by surveyor

af2909_2

I had a full house buyers structural survey conducted prior to the purchase of a ground floor maisonette.

I have spotted that there is foliage growing from within a rain water pipe, and this should have been picked up in the report (as it has damaged the down pipe). The photo shows the bare branch pointing out from the side of the house but as the photo is taken from a distance you cannot see where from

Within the report the surveyor said the side was cluttered, however he would have needed to walk past the drain to investigate the damp course at the rear of the property. As a surveyor I am pretty sure that his company become liable for any issues not picked up. Does anyone know the best way to solve this issue (as house insurance say it is not covered as it is an issue from before the policy started) and what process do I need to take?

Thanks in advance and please let me know if my insurers are liable (More than) as they told me I am not covered!

G_M

Remove the foliage and repair the downpipe.

£10 - £40?

af2909_2

G_M wrote: »

Remove the foliage and repair the downpipe.

£10 - £40?

It's a cast iron down pipe that is concreted into the ground which has literally burst open. I'm not sure what it is but the branch is around 100mm diameter

It's also very unlikely that it is a soakway drain given that its about 1.5m away from the adjoining property. So it's likely to be connected to the mains drainage

JQ.

Then you need to find out what the problem is and how much it is going to cost to repair.

However, I totally agree with the sentiment of G_M, get it sorted and get on with life.

af2909_2

JQ. wrote: »

Then you need to find out what the problem is and how much it is going to cost to repair.

However, I totally agree with the sentiment of G_M, get it sorted and get on with life.

That's my point, if the drain runs are !!!!!!ed then its going to take a CCTV survey and the repairs, which aren't cheap. I'm asking if I have a right to recompense because somebody didnt pick up on something I paid him £545 to do as part of my conveyancing costs

phill99

The otherss are correct. It's a very minor issue. The house won't fall down, won't be devalued and the roof won't blow away.

With what it costs you in time, possible solicitors fees etc, you would be better off just spending a few quid to get it dealt with.

af2909_2

phill99 wrote: »

The otherss are correct. It's a very minor issue. The house won't fall down, won't be devalued and the roof won't blow away.

With what it costs you in time, possible solicitors fees etc, you would be better off just spending a few quid to get it dealt with.

Even if the mains drains are cracked - I thought it would be expensive as the drain runs will need to be repaired. Plus the foliage is like a mall tree

Yorkie1

So, as you're a surveyor, why didn't you a) spot it, b) make enquiries about it before making your offer, c) raise it with your surveyor to consider, etc?

I replaced a cast iron down pipe and soil pipe and it cost me £150 total.

JQ.

I'll repeat myself - you can't make any assessment of anything until you find out what the problem is and how much it costs to repair. The surveyor won't find out on your behalf.

I agree with the above that it seems quite a minor issue that crops up all the time with house ownership.

Yorkie1

Note cross-posted:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3978027

af2909_2

Yorkie1 wrote: »

So, as you're a surveyor, why didn't you a) spot it, b) make enquiries about it before making your offer, c) raise it with your surveyor to consider, etc?

I replaced a cast iron down pipe and soil pipe and it cost me £150 total.

I didn't spot it as the photo does not show it up as coming through the drain pipe and he didnt say it was coming through the drain. So unless I have extra terrestrial powers I wouldnt raise it, would I?

The reason I started the thread was to ask where I stood, as Ive paid in excess of £500 for someone to thoroughly check the property over for anything I missed. Is that inherently wrong, or have the Royal Chartered Institution of Surveyors all happened to be browsing the forum all at once....

By the way, at least you gave me an estimate of the cost at least I've had something constructive through