Advise Needed - What to do about a survey problem?

cheryl100uk

Hello All,

I am currently in the process of buying a house. We have recently had a homebuyers report which came back with a couple of issues - but one main damp problem.
In order to put my mind at rest - I got a local damp proof specialist to visit the property and report on the findings. He has quoted less than £1000 for the repairs (one wall with DPC and vents for timber floors)

Is this a minimal reason to renegotiate the offer? Could this be settled any other way? Shall I just accept the findings and repair when I move in.

Thanks in advance

kingstreet

Was this report carried out by an independent timber and damp surveyor, or by a contractor with an interest in doing any required repairs?

hazyjo

I would try to negotiate the £1k off the agreed price. They might pay it all, or some of it - or indeed none! Worth a try though. I would choose to do the works once I've moved in.

I've had to drop the price (buying and selling) (or force works to be done) when buying several houses before.

Jx

mrsmchapman

I would try and get the price deducted from the price you offered via your solicitor! What's the worst that can happen they say no, so you ask for half, no again and then you have to decide if you wish to go ahead.

cheryl100uk

Hi,

Thanks for the replies - It was a local independant company who specialise in damp proofing - they would be looking at carrying out the work - I paid a small fee for the report to be carried out.

:-)

Tancred

cheryl100uk wrote: »

Hello All,

I am currently in the process of buying a house. We have recently had a homebuyers report which came back with a couple of issues - but one main damp problem.
In order to put my mind at rest - I got a local damp proof specialist to visit the property and report on the findings. He has quoted less than £1000 for the repairs (one wall with DPC and vents for timber floors)

Is this a minimal reason to renegotiate the offer? Could this be settled any other way? Shall I just accept the findings and repair when I move in.

Thanks in advance

My advice: accept it and move forward with the purchase. No property is perfect unless brand new.

Tancred

mrsmchapman wrote: »

I would try and get the price deducted from the price you offered via your solicitor

And if the seller refuses? Seems stupid to me to make an issue of such a small thing.

mrsmchapman

Tancred wrote: »

And if the seller refuses? Seems stupid to me to make an issue of such a small thing.

What's the harm in asking?

Tancred

mrsmchapman wrote: »

What's the harm in asking?

The harm is that it risks undermining trust between seller and buyer. You have to look at it from both sides. When I bought I also had a report mentioning risk of damp (as you get in all older properties) but went ahead anyway without begging for a discount.

mrsmchapman

I brought a property that had a timber problem in an attic, the sellers weren't aware of the problem, but didn't want to lose the sale, I asked for half they agreed.

I think we will agree to disagree on this!

kingstreet

If I was a vendor, I'd request an inspection/report by an independent surveyor which does not earn from carrying out repairs. It's the only way to be sure the work really is needed.