House survey issues

IHateDida

I have just had a survey carried out on a property that I was going to buy and its come back with the following issues:

Roof isn't felted (surveyor said that this could leak in driving rain)

Wood worm in roof space

No drain cover around property - surveyor thinks that neighbouring property has been built over it

Artex - looks quite old and thick - asbestos risk (would need further investigation to establish whether this is the case)

Lead water pipes

The surveyor has basically valued it at £11k below what we had offered - vendor won't budge either - tried that one. Would you pull out considering the above issues (which is why surveyor valued it as they did)? How much of concern are the issues?

Thankyou!

G_M

IHateDida wrote: »

I have just had a survey carried out on a property that I was going to buy and its come back with the following issues:

Roof isn't felted (surveyor said that this could leak in driving rain)
No big deal. Older houses never had felt. Mine doesn't. A properly fitted roof of tiles or slate will keep out the rain. OK, if the rain is horizontal a biy might seep in. It's not going to flood the house or do any damage though!
Wood worm in roof space
Active? Lots of properties have had woodworm in the past, usually withing the first few years of build while the wood is still moist. Once the wood dries out thoroughly the woodworm will not be interested ad will go elsewhere - but the holes will still be there.
Ring and ask him if he is sure this is active woodworm, or just evidence (holes) of historic worm
No drain cover around property - surveyor thinks that neighbouring property has been built over it
I've lived in my property 15 years - never needed to lift a drain cover once. Still, I suppose it could be an issue if you get a blockage.

Artex - looks quite old and thick - asbestos risk (would need further investigation to establish whether this is the case)
Only a problem if
a) you remove the artex AND
b) it is asbestos - do you plan to remove?
Lead water pipes
Likewise - very common inolder properties. I still have lead pipes.
The surveyor has basically valued it at £11k below what we had offered - because of these issues, or just because that's the valuation vendor won't budge either - tried that one. Would you pull out considering the above issues (which is why surveyor valued it as they did)? How much of concern are the issues?

Thankyou!

Is the valuation an issue for a mortgage (if you're getting one)?
If not, it's just a question of how much youlike/want the house.

IHateDida

G_M wrote: »

Is the valuation an issue for a mortgage (if you're getting one)?
If not, it's just a question of how much youlike/want the house.

Thankyou - its for around 30% mortgage. He valued it at that because of the issues. I would want to skim the artex - as its all twirly - eek! But who would skim on top of asbestos (if it was that)?

G_M

IHateDida wrote: »

Thankyou - its for around 30% mortgage. He valued it at that because of the issues. I would want to skim the artex - as its all twirly - eek! But who would skim on top of asbestos (if it was that)?

Asbestos is only dangerous if you break it up (and the tiny fibres get into your lungs).

If you leave it in place and scim over it, no fibres will be released into the air.

As I said, it's only a problem if you start hacking at it to remove it.