Survey report needs help please!

jeremy001181

Hi All

I had a home buyer report recently on a 60s' terrace house that was initially built by local authority, which is now private owned, I am a first time buyer and really lack of experience of understanding the information in the report, I hope that I can get some helps from here,

I copied out some defects that are highlighted in the report as serious and needs to be repaired urgently, please advise what should I do? and how much cost would be to fix them please

1. Asbestos may be present in soffits at roof/eaves levels, redundant boiler flue, textured ceiling coatings and thermoplastic floor tiles.

2. Some unevenness/sagging is noted to the sitting room ceiling, one is around the corner, and another one has a water tank right above the unevenness area,

3. The consumer unit (fuse box) has no proper safety protection devices fitted

4. Boiler has not been serviced within last 12 months

5.Hot water is provided by the central heating boiler. The foam insulated hot water cylinder is located in the landing cupboard and is fitted with an immersion heater. Visible wiring to the immersion heater indicates that the installation may not be safe

6.The risk of localised ponding and flooding to the patio beneath the conservatory during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall requires the drainage to be improved.

Many thanks

Z

G_M

jeremy001181 wrote: »

1. Asbestos may be present in soffits at roof/eaves levels, redundant boiler flue, textured ceiling coatings and thermoplastic floor tiles.
'may be'. Surveyor does not know so is covering himself. Even if there is asbestos (as is the case in 000s of properties) it is only of any danger if disturbed (ie dust created and inhaled). leave it alone, paint over it - no problem.

2. Some unevenness/sagging is noted to the sitting room ceiling, one is around the corner, and another one has a water tank right above the unevenness area,
Ring & sk surveyor to explain. What is above? Might there have been a leak, now cured and dried? Or might there be a structural problem ie can't support the weight of the water tank? Speak to surveyor

3. The consumer unit (fuse box) has no proper safety protection devices fitted
it's an old fashioned fuse box without trip switches. A new one costs £50-80 plus labour. But it could indicate the wiring is also ancient. Pay an electrician to do a report?

4. Boiler has not been serviced within last 12 months
:rotfl:Many people don't service annually. If you want an opinion on the condition of the boiler, pay for a GasSafe engineer to inspect. How old is it? Do you know?

5.Hot water is provided by the central heating boiler. The foam insulated hot water cylinder is located in the landing cupboard and is fitted with an immersion heater. Visible wiring to the immersion heater indicates that the installation may not be safe
Well, if you get the electrics inspected your chap will look at this too. But re-wiring an emmersion heater costs peanuts (I did my own. the new cable cost £1.87.

6.The risk of localised ponding and flooding to the patio beneath the conservatory during periods of heavy or prolonged rainfall requires the drainage to be improved.

Z

Spend a weekend digging a drainage ditch/laying a French Drain?

jeremy001181

Thanks for the reply, the vendor told me that the unevenness ceiling has been like that since they moved in 9 years ago, and they said it appears to be the same as neighbour's house as well, and the one has water tank above, has clearly sign of leaking

G_M wrote: »

2. Some unevenness/sagging is noted to the sitting room ceiling, one is around the corner, and another one has a water tank right above the unevenness area,
Ring & sk surveyor to explain. What is above? Might there have been a leak, now cured and dried? Or might there be a structural problem ie can't support the weight of the water tank? Speak to surveyor