I ubwittingly bought the House of Horrors

mazzer13

Is there anything I can do? I bought a terraced house and the valuation survey came back with roof work that was fixed by the seller. Everything else seemed OK so I went ahead with the purchase. Omce the kitchen came out and the floorboards came up, it became apparent that a lot of remedial work has been done on the house and the problems started. Damp, leaking pipes (for years!) terrible Woodworm, Rotten Joists and floor bowing at either ends of the house, rewire needed...

Do I have any chance to claim as this is turning into a money pit or is it my fault for not looking deeper? You would never have know there was such a woodworm problem or the leaking pipes etc until the kitchen and carpets were ripped up though....

sugartree

Hi Mazzer,

can't advise you sorry, but am very intereted in what advise people can other. I bought the house from hell in 2007. The street is like an Eastenders episode on fast forward and the house has been nothing but trouble, i.e. damp stting through from the word go, dodgy electrics and looks like when they sold the house they did a quick fix and bidge job to make it look better than it actually was!

straas

Was the valuation survey the only one done?

Did the vendor provide you with a full HIP (House information pack - should be a document where the vendor has ticked yes or no to various q's)?

ihatemyhouse

buyer beware isn't it with houses

Running_Horse

What did your structural survey say about these issues?

bluebeary

i know running horse is still waiting for a reply but although it costs extra money it is essential to get your own complete survey done independantly from the home report, if they still do that, its been four years since i bought my current property

but i was advised this by a solicitor years ago and it was good advice, saves you alot of stress and money in the long run, sorry

Running_Horse

I see you asked about this over a month ago.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4806860

You have my sympathy.

Mickygg

It came with a £300 survey. There is your problem right there. Independent full structural survey always recommended. Yes it can cost £800 but it's worth it.That said they wouldn't rip up carpets and things may still be missed.

I would say no chance of claim as you didn't have full structural survey.


Buyer beware as ihatemyhouse says.


I got stung too on my place, but wouldn't pursue a claim. Decided to lump it and over time I'm rectifying.

phill99

Who are you looking to claim off? The previous owner. If so, and you're in England & Wales, then no chrome. It's buyer beware.

If you are looking to claim from your surveyor, then highly unlikely. He wouldn't take floor boards and carpets up so couldn't see damaged joists, woodworm etc. if there is something he should have seen but didn't, then maybe you gave a chance, but you have to prove it. In terms of electrics, a surveyor would always recommend an electrical inspection. If you didn't take this advice, then you are on your own.

G_M

The answer doesn't change by waiting a month and asking again

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4806860

You chose not to have a survey done to save money.

You didn't save money.

lessonlearned

A full survey may have highlighted some of the more obvious issues but they only go so far. i.e. surveyors are not allowed to lift carpets, they will normally only inspect a roof from ground level using binoculars, they may not be able to gain access to the roof void to inspect timers. They will not check the boiler or the electrical installation.

I think it is fair to say that it is a given that once you start ripping a house apart to renovate you will always find something. That is why experienced developers like Sarah Beeney always suggest you have a contingency fund.

It does sound as if you have uncovered a lot more than you had anticipated. This is so often the case with older properties. They charm and beguile you and once they have you they bite.:rotfl:

On a positive note Just about any problem you are likely to encounter can be fixed - unfortunately it will take time and money.

You can save time by throwing money at the problems or you can save money by tackling most of the work yourself.

I am unaware of any legal redress open to you.

I'm afraid you are just going to have to swallow this one and chalk it up to experience