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Bought a non standard build house?
nigelnorris
Posts: 14 Forumite
I have bought a 1930s semi, looks normal from the outside. My survey states brick built.
I just discovered that although the ground floor walls are normal brick construction the entire upper floor inside and out is made from huge prefabricated concrete panels. Exterior walls are doubled up with an air gap and the interior walls are a single thickness. Apparently a short lived building fad pre second world war. Short lived because of the unreliability of this construction method.
Googling tells me that houses constructed entirely this way are virtually unsaleable, but I can't find any references to examples like mine where only the upper floor is concrete panels.
Anyone had any experience of this? Is my house worth less than I paid because of it? If not any idea which is the best direction to go and ask for advice?
Cheers, nige.
I just discovered that although the ground floor walls are normal brick construction the entire upper floor inside and out is made from huge prefabricated concrete panels. Exterior walls are doubled up with an air gap and the interior walls are a single thickness. Apparently a short lived building fad pre second world war. Short lived because of the unreliability of this construction method.
Googling tells me that houses constructed entirely this way are virtually unsaleable, but I can't find any references to examples like mine where only the upper floor is concrete panels.
Anyone had any experience of this? Is my house worth less than I paid because of it? If not any idea which is the best direction to go and ask for advice?
Cheers, nige.
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Comments
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Is this really a "survey" or a mortgage report & valuation for a lender?
If the construction type is on the defective list under the 1984 & 1985 Housing Acts, it may be unmortgageable unless subject to an approved repair regimen and therefore worth less as it will appeal only to cash buyers.
What is the named construction method and year of construction?I am a mortgage broker. You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice. Please do not send PMs asking for one-to-one-advice, or representation.0 -
Your buildings insurance may also be invalid, if you have stated it is standard brick & tile construction.I am a mortgage broker. You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice. Please do not send PMs asking for one-to-one-advice, or representation.0
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kingstreet wrote: »Is this really a "survey" or a mortgage report & valuation for a lender?
It says on the front of the document "RICS Homebuyer Report, Property Survey and Valuation".kingstreet wrote: »If the construction type is on the defective list under the 1984 & 1985 Housing Acts, it may be unmortgageable unless subject to an approved repair regimen and therefore worth less as it will appeal only to cash buyers.
I'm trying to google that now and find out.kingstreet wrote: »What is the named construction method and year of construction?
No idea about the former, or where to find out. Built approx 1935. Think it's a ex social housing build.0 -
kingstreet wrote: »Your buildings insurance may also be invalid, if you have stated it is standard brick & tile construction.
Yes, this is part of my concern.0 -
If you've paid for a proper survey done for you, you may be making a complaint to the survey firm if they've failed to notice something so fundamental.
If you can find out the construction "style," I can check my guide to see what the usual lender view of such properties may be...I am a mortgage broker. You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a Mortgage Adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice. Please do not send PMs asking for one-to-one-advice, or representation.0 -
The wording in the report says
'The main external walls are brick and render faced and are of solid brick construction'
Seems to be fairly definitive. I'm struggling to find details of construction style but google's a big place.0 -
Where abouts is it, just the street if you don't mind saying? Streetview and the local council website should give a clue as to what sort it is.0
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New user can't post links or images apparently.
I live on Ravenshill Rd B14 4HQ0 -
Just streetname/postcode?0
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(obviously don't if you don't want to!) - infact, if you just search under the local authority... They'll have upgraded any they still own and should say what they were somewhere... Try "PRC homes" "Non standard build stock" and things like that...0
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