Homebuyer's Survey - Issues Highlighted

Jo_King

Hello yet again! I am slowly moving through the housebuying process, and it's all been relatively calm so far. I've just had the homebuyer's survey report back, and two issues are highlighted - some loose roofing tiles and a concern about electrics:

• Modern type wiring and fusebox. However, the wiring and fittings have probably
  
• been extended/altered, suggesting partial rewiring in the past.
• No test certificate is available and accordingly you should arrange for a qualified
• electrician (e.g. NICEIC/ECA registered) to test the installation and provide a
• report and quotation for any recommended work with a subsequent test certificate
• when completed.

• Underfelting is provided to rear roof pitch only. Consequently where there is no
  
• underfelting penetrating dampness may occasionally occur. In the future
• underfelting of front roof pitch will be required.
• To main roof there are one or two slipped and cracked slates mainly around
• chimney stacks and above line of party wall. Reputable roofing contractor should
• carry appropriate repairs.
• Single pitch tile roof to kitchen extension with lead flashings abutting rear wall in
• reasonable order.

I'm not so much worried about the underfelting, but I'm wondering if it's reasonable to ask the vendor to get the repairs done to the roof tiles, and to get a report on the electrics done? Or do I need to find an electrician to do the report before I go ahead with the purchase? Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks.

TBagpuss

The comments on the electrics are fairly standard - the surveyor isn't an electrician so s/he can't comment on whether they are in good nick.

In my experience it would not be usual to ask the sellers to get a report - but they should not make any difficulty about you getting your own electrician to go in to carry out a full electrical survey and report. This will probably cost £200 - £250.

If it came back with significant concerns then at that point you might be raising it with the seller to see whether they would contribute to the cost.

Edited to add - I would always get an independent electrician in before buying a house, for peace of mind i nothing else!

Kynthia

I'm sorry but if I was selling I'd refuse as these are minor issues and you aren't buying a new build.

The surveyor isn't an electrician so had to say that you should get an electrical check if you want one, but as they've not found anything worrying it's your choice. The roof just has one or two slipped/cracked tiles? I wouldn't rush to fix it and would probably combine it with getting felt underlay put in so that I could store things in the loft more securely.

cattie

As mentioned, these are standard surveyor's comments. They always advise getting in your own specialist to check things such as gas, electrics, water, timber etc. etc. None of this would be down to the seller, it is for you the buyer to arrange if it is something that you'd want to do.

If those 2 so called issues are the only negs he has highlighted in the report then it's a very good survey indeed & you should be very happy instead of worrying. I know I'd be overjoyed to have such minor 'issues' brought up.

Jo_King

Brilliant! Thanks, that's what I was hoping you would say. Everything else in the survey is absolutely fine, and the vendor did show me an electrical check done when they moved in four years ago.


Thanks for your help. As a FTB doing this very much on my own, I just need a little handholding sometimes!

Road_Hog

Jo_King wrote: »

Thanks for your help. As a FTB doing this very much on my own, I just need a little handholding sometimes!

Two things, as has already been said, all houses need work doing to them, it is the nature of the beast, but you accept that in the purchase price of the house.


Secondly, in today's climate of, where there's blame there is a claim, surveyors over emphasise every defect, so that there is no comeback on them.