Survey results, are these problems serious??

MelaBella

Guys, i will appreciate your generous advice! Im a FTB with no experience whatsoever:p (please forgive me im blond so any stupid question can be partially excused)

The survey on the property (its 1bed Victorian conversion)flagged up a few problems, and im cracking my head whether they are serious or not and if I should re-negotiate the price based on the survey results (condition rating 1-3, where 3 is the most serious):

1 the roof requires an overhaul, (attention to the broken slates). Rating 2

2 dampness in a few areas, so need to involve damp-proof specialist. Rating 3 (so its ranked as a serious problem needing attention)

3 the windows (single-glazed in fact) need overhauling (some windows are brokens, also the survey flagged up a softness to external timber), prbably menaing i need to replace them Rating 2

4 property have been affected by past structural movements (cracks on the wall, etc) should i be worried or all 100+ years properties have these problems? Rating 3

WestonDave

Its hard to say without looking closely at the specific property - on one extreme it could be a near derelict property where the structure has been undermined by subsidence, the windows are rotting and the roof leaking, plus the damp proofing is shot. On the other hand the broken slates could just be a couple that need a quick replacement, the damp could just be condensation damp from poor lifestyle and the structural movement years old - although the windows remain a worry.

To me it reads as a renovation project rather than a liveable home - they don't appear to be the usual backside covering things like "the electrics are a bit old or the boiler needs to be serviced" kind of things - it looks like a property that has been neglected and that might mean when you start digging you find more still. You may find that its sufficiently negative that your mortgage lender isn't happy to lend on it, but even without that I'd be tempted to cut my losses and look elsewhere.

MelaBella

WestonDave wrote: »

Its hard to say without looking closely at the specific property - on one extreme it could be a near derelict property where the structure has been undermined by subsidence, the windows are rotting and the roof leaking, plus the damp proofing is shot. On the other hand the broken slates could just be a couple that need a quick replacement, the damp could just be condensation damp from poor lifestyle and the structural movement years old - although the windows remain a worry.

To me it reads as a renovation project rather than a liveable home - they don't appear to be the usual backside covering things like "the electrics are a bit old or the boiler needs to be serviced" kind of things - it looks like a property that has been neglected and that might mean when you start digging you find more still. You may find that its sufficiently negative that your mortgage lender isn't happy to lend on it, but even without that I'd be tempted to cut my losses and look elsewhere.

well the damp was localized to specific areas near to the boliler and near to the radiator on the wall in a few places, property is empty at the moment for at least a few months so i dont think its cause by lifestyle, so i need to investigate the causes further.

I didnt mention that the central heating, inc bolier is dated and replacement is anticipated (rating 2). electrics needs to be served as well. the roof insulation is also regarded as inadequate and missing insulation in some parts.:D

lender seem to be ok to lend (still waiting for the final confirmation) i just need to decide for myself if i should be worried..

SecondTimeBuyer

Do you have money set aside for renovations? If not I would not be purchasing this property. It sounds like it needs a lot of work and will cost you in the near future.

cosmojohnson

MelaBella wrote: »

well the damp was localized to specific areas near to the boliler and near to the radiator on the wall in a few places, property is empty at the moment for at least a few months so i dont think its cause by lifestyle, so i need to investigate the causes further.

If it's been empty for a while is it possible that a lack of ventilation could be causing higher damp readings?

MelaBella

cosmojohnson wrote: »

If it's been empty for a while is it possible that a lack of ventilation could be causing higher damp readings?

as i can see from the pics in Survey the yeloowish damp patches in a few places are quite obvious, im afraid the pipes are leaking given the patches are near to radiator and boliler..

MelaBella

also report says "the property was affectd by pas structural movements the movements are lpongstanding and doesnt appear to be progressive. seasonal movement may occur due to the nature of sub-soil. cases of subsidence are known within the area, tere is no indication the property is adversally affected."

what does it mean? is it that bad? sorry really confused by the jargon used.

DarlyPaws

It sounds like the property needs quite a bit of work. I would be concerned that the roof and windows need replacing. Those are very high cost items. Also, evidence of movement in the past isn't necessarily a deal breaker if the movement has stopped and the building is safe. However, if the movement hasn't stopped and is seasonal, I would be worried.

Personally, I wouldn't continue with the purchase unless you have significant funds to sort out all the various problems. It sounds like it could potentially be a money pit.

Mickygg

MelaBella wrote: »

also report says "the property was affectd by pas structural movements the movements are lpongstanding and doesnt appear to be progressive. seasonal movement may occur due to the nature of sub-soil. cases of subsidence are known within the area, tere is no indication the property is adversally affected."

what does it mean? is it that bad? sorry really confused by the jargon used.

Ask the surveyor! That's his/her job as you have paid for this.

DarlyPaws

Mickygg wrote: »

Ask the surveyor! That's his/her job as you have paid for this.

I second this! Get on the phone with the surveyor and ask exactly how serious these items are and if they have an idea of the cost.

anotherginger

If you have the money, go for it! Going through this myself at the moment with a property that has loads of 3's. It's a bit of a shock seeing all the problems written down on paper, but once you start getting quotes for work and prioritising what you need to do, it doesn't seem to bad.

You don't have to do everything all at once. Start with the most disruptive and preferably don't try to live there at the same time.

I've just noticed it's a flat, so are all of these items your sole responsibility or will you need to get other owners on board?