Just had my home buyer report is there anything to be concerned about?

bellasally14

Hi

We are buying our first property as a family and we have just had our homebuyers report back and just wanted some advise if there is anything to be concerned about? Also we ended up paying the asking price do I need to renegotiate due to any of these concerns?

Level 3 concerns - urgent need attention

Electricity - the panel has been moved and a test certificate is required to ensure this complies with regulations - should I just ask the vendor to do this?

Level 2 concerns

Roof - the cement filet to the gable verge is loose and missing and the verge tiles will all need to be taken up and re-set in cement mortar.

Guttering - need attention due to moss and tree shoots blocking them they need to be cleaned and left water tight it says this will be difficult due to the position of the conservatory.

Outside walls - repointing required to open jointed brickwork below damp proof course level to the front and side.

Conservatory - loose trims to the roof of the conservatory that need to be secured.

Flooring - upstairs corridor and bedroom floor is loose and springy and does need to be repaired.

Bathroom - jacuzzi bath does not work

Decor - the decor is dirty and dated and needs attention - we knew about this

That's it any suggestions what I should do? Maybe ask the vendor about the electricity as I am concerned as the panel will be in what will be the nursery. Also what will the other things cost!

Many thanks

mr-bob_2

"the decor is dirty and dated and needs attention - we knew about this"

I assume the house is quite old then and needs some work doing. I think most of these are pretty much a given or at least similar issues should be expected.

As advised - I'd get an electrician in to ensure it's safe and everything - if anything jumps out at you as unexpected, or something that could be costly - then perhaps get a builder in for a quote for the works and see if the vendor will budge the price to reflect this. Although it could already be priced to sell and things like this are expected.

The jacuzzi bath *may* work, so ask the vendors - it just might have a switch somewhere in the hall or something for it.

The roof issue could be the one that is more unexpected and pricey - so perhaps that is one you'd get a builder to give you a quote for and see if there is any wiggle room in the price.

I take it the valuation is fine and everything?

My house had similar kind of things and was dated etc but I knew I'd expect things like this and there were loads of pointing issues and chimney needing repointing etc.. They aren't major and haven't been done yet and probably won't be done for a good time yet.

The roof issue *may* actually need doing soon (in which case get a quote), or it may be fine waiting for 10 years or so and be expected - but the surveyor would need to point it out to get no comebacks from it.

G_M

Like mr Bob I assume it's an older property and you knew it needed work/updating, so some basic maintenance is unsurprising.

You want an immaculate house, buy a Nwew Build

bellasally14 wrote: »

Hi

...Level 3 concerns - urgent need attention

Electricity - the panel has been moved and a test certificate is required to ensure this complies with regulations - should I just ask the vendor to do this?
you can ask. Vender may agree or more likely will tell you to do any checks you want at your own cost

Level 2 concerns

Roof - the cement filet to the gable verge is loose and missing and the verge tiles will all need to be taken up and re-set in cement mortar.
Yes will need doing some time. How soon/urgently depends how bad the problem is, but loose cement is quite common - doubt it would allow much water penetration unless VERY severe and extensive. Are all the tiles still in place?
Routine maintenance.

Guttering - need attention due to moss and tree shoots blocking them they need to be cleaned and left water tight it says this will be difficult due to the position of the conservatory.
Routine maintenance. Basic job. Normally say £30 for an odd job man. (or DIY free). Access? Can't comment (I go up on my conservatory roof but I'm not going to suggest you do this in case you fall through and sue me!)


Outside walls - repointing required to open jointed brickwork below damp proof course level to the front and side.
If below dpc, then any damp penetration due to poor pointing will be reletively unimportant. Non urgent. Depends how bad it is too. Low down so easy access. Minor job to scrape out loose cement, mix new cement, and stick it in!

Conservatory - loose trims to the roof of the conservatory that need to be secured.
While you're up there doing the gutters you could secure the trims...... :eek:

Flooring - upstairs corridor and bedroom floor is loose and springy and does need to be repaired.
cosmetic. My house is old and most of the floorboards squeak. so what? If iy wories you, get a screwdrive and some screws and screw the floorboards down to the joists

Bathroom - jacuzzi bath does not work
Sure? Ask vendor. If you are paying to have a working jacuzzi it should work.

Decor - the decor is dirty and dated and needs attention - we knew about this
Indeed

That's it any suggestions what I should do? Maybe ask the vendor about the electricity as I am concerned as the panel will be in what will be the nursery. Also what will the other things cost!

Many thanks

An electrician will do an electrical report for aound £80 if you want one.

bluep

As someone selling an older property, from a sellers point of view, I wouldn't negotiate down on the price I'm getting for any of the things you've mentioned. Older properties are always going to require some work and we priced ours to reflect that. If it was all immaculate with every tile fixed etc... I'd have put it on the market for £10k more!!

The difference is (in my mind as a seller) when the survey reveals something that parties could not have anticipated like a real structural problem or something that has to be put right straight away. As sellers, we've had our roof patched so no leaks, paid for our boiler to be serviced (and found that it needed £200 worth of new parts or was going to collapse soon), and a gas and electrical safety certificate for £85 each. That way we have peace of mind.

All of this depends of course how popular the house was - as negotiating after a survey is a different matter in a buyers market than a sellers one. We had a lot of interest and went to sealed bids so are in a stronger position to say "it was priced to reflect the condition". The survey will always contain a load of small picky points to cover the surveyor's back!

jonewer

It does seem that a lot of these reports simply state the obvious, and sometimes rather trivial.

Decor - the decor is dirty and dated and needs attention

Really, do they also say the floor needs to be mopped?

bellasally14

Thanks for your replies they have been really helpful!

Yes it is an older house and yes I am definitely going to get an electrician in to check the electrics and maybe someone to look at the roof. In regard to the valuation the surveyor valued it at less than we have paid by a couple if thousand but nothing major.

Thanks!