House we are buying "has too much stuff to properly survey"

hanvyj

The owner of the house we have placed an offer on has quite a lot of stuff/junk. In some places it's to the point where it's piling up and there is a lot of furniture (wardrobes against walls kind of things).

Our home buyer surveyor rang me today and warned me that he wouldn't really be able to survey "80%" of the house because it was just so full of junk.

Now, I don't think its that bad... (photos http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-38736496.html)

From what he did see he said that the walls and ceilings would need re-plastering throughout - again, I'm not sure of this. From what I could see when we viewed it needed decorating but I didn't think it needed a complete re-plaster!

He also mentioned the electrics would need replacing. Question: If they are out of date do we have to replace them by law? Or can we live there for 4 years then do it?

Now, he sounded really negative about the property, saying it was going to be significant cost to make-good etc. We were only really expecting to have to re-do the tatty decorating.

So my main question: How much should we go on what the surveyor says, and what effect does his opinion have on our mortgage? If he disagrees with the value because he thinks it will take far more money to restore will the bank refuse our mortgage?

Also, do we have any ability to pressure the buyer shift her stuff so we can get a proper survey done, we've paid all this money for a home buyers survey and he said he couldn't really do much because he can't see any of the walls...

Wish we had picked the solicitor that would allow us to get our money back if it fell through - We haven't paid but have signed the contract.

PancakeP

I can't comment on the clutter side of things, but my Surveyor condemned by electrics aswell. Bought house anyway, had the whole system fully checked out by a Electrician last week who has declared them fit and well to be going on with, so they're staying. I just had a cable and fuse upgraded for a new shower, but the rest is fine as is. So from my, admittedly very limited experience, I think it's fairly "common" for them to report on anything that MIGHT be a potential issue?

mjm3346

If it needs a rewire now thats an issue which might impact on the mortgage, depends on the wording of the report (could be deemed uninhabitable for mortgage purposes if the electrics are that unsafe).

hanvyj

Thanks PancakeP I'll keep that in mind, I guess its in their interest to be very cautious with their reports to cover their backs if it turns out everything does need replacing.

mjm3346, would the habitability be the only issue - ie they aren't going to say it's worth 10k less and won't give us the money?

I can't imagine they say it's inhabitable, there is a family of three living there fine at the moment!

bebewoo

It doesn't look THAT messy to me, a bit over furnished maybe, but I can't see what he is going on about, it does not look like too much work to shift some of that furniture back.
Lazy surveyor.

Jenny.W

hanvyj wrote: »

Thanks PancakeP I'll keep that in mind, I guess its in their interest to be very cautious with their reports to cover their backs if it turns out everything does need replacing.

mjm3346, would the habitability be the only issue - ie they aren't going to say it's worth 10k less and won't give us the money?

I can't imagine they say it's inhabitable, there is a family of three living there fine at the moment!

If the surveyor is that concerned then he will recommend a retention be placed on the mortgage. Can you call him and ask him about his valuation? I did when I was worried about the survey on the house we were buying.

Jenny.W

bebewoo wrote: »

It doesn't look THAT messy to me, a bit over furnished maybe, but I can't see what he is going on about, it does not look like too much work to shift some of that furniture back.
Lazy surveyor.

the surveyor is not allowed to move/shift furniture/piles of clothes.

kmmr

I agree with bebewoo. Sounds like a lazy CYA surveyor. You could ask the vendor to ensure there is some space to view the walls.

Looks like a good easy to improve property. I'd budget to replace those bathroom tiles too - they are badly laid and uneven. Looks very DIY, even in a picture. I have the exact bath! In my place people comment how nice and posh/boutique hotel my bathroom looks, but there it just looks tatty. You may be interested to know there is a slightly lighter coloured panel you can get for it, plus matching cupboards and sink which look really nice.
Here's a link. Not really relevent right now, but something to know in future.
WashbasinStand

Plus they could have just tightened up the kitchen cupboard doors and they would look 100% better. Such simple things people seem oblivious to.

Good luck! Looks like a nice easy fix-er-uper.

hanvyj

bebewoo wrote: »

It doesn't look THAT messy to me, a bit over furnished maybe, but I can't see what he is going on about, it does not look like too much work to shift some of that furniture back.
Lazy surveyor.

I have to say that those photos are very carefully done, I think there was a lot of shifting around, there are probably a lot of stuff piled up behind the camera!

G_M

There is a huge difference between electrical wiring that is dangerous/needs urgent replacing, and wiring that doesnot comply with current standards.

The standards change regularly. Consequently most properties in the country do not comply. Only recently built properties will comply with current standards. Older properties comply with the standards that were in force when the property was built, or when it was last re-wired.

There is no legal requirement to upgrade whenever the standards change, and usually no safety reason to do so either.

He also mentioned the electrics would need replacing. Question: If they are out of date do we have to replace them by law? Or can we live there for 4 years then do it?

No need to replace by law.

So it depends if they are just 'out of date', but safe, or whether they are actually dangerous (eg old 1950s rubber-covered wire which is shredding and leaving exposed bare wire?)

bebewoo

Surveyor "I can't survey 80% of the house"

Me "Oh dear, that's a shame, I'll take 80% off your fee then"