First time buyer - Homebuyer survey questions

Peenutbutter

Hi all,

We are in the process of buying a mid terraced house built in 1902.
We have recieved the homebuyer survey. At first we thought it was terrible after seeing the rating 3's and 2's, however the surveyor has said it is in good condition given its age. The isolated damp was 2 x spots across the entire downstairs walls.

Below is a list of all the 3's and 2's...could anyone give us advice as to if we should go back to the buyer and ask for money off.

Baring in mind we are cash buyers but need to have everything completed by early December as we rent and each additional month we do not complete costs us £500.


Rating 3



1. The frontbay roof - The roof is flat and isfinished in mineral felt.

Theroof covering is old and is sagging noticeably and this suggests that thecovering is at the end of its serviceable life. It should be inspected by aroofing contractor to determine if it needs to be replaced. When this iscarried out, the supporting structure should be checked for defects andrepaired or improved, as found necessary. The flat roof is also unlikely tocontain enough insulation. This will increase the risk of internal condensationand dampness. Installing insulation will be difficult without major exposurework. You should consider upgrading the roof when the covering is next renewed.



2. The damp-proof course. We cannot confirm whether a damp-proof course is present or notbecause of the external render coating and mortar pointing obscuring theconstruction. We recorded isolated, high damp meter readings in the rear wallof the diningroom and side wall of the kitchen which have possibly been causedby a combination of the failure of the damp-proof course and a more detailedinvestigation is necessary.









Rating 2





1. The chimneystack - The stack is weathered and inneed of localised re-pointing. The stone collar is weathered and will requirerepair in due course.



2. The main pitched roof - The roof is covered with natural slates. The coverings need someminor repairs. A small number of slates on the front and rear roof slopes areuneven and these should be refixed. A small number of slates are chipped orhave spalled (eroded) and these should be replaced.



3. The rainwater provision to the roofs. The rear main guttering needs re-aligning to falls inorder to stop possible leakage and damp entering the property. The front maindownpipe passes through the forecourt pavings but there is no outlet hole atthe front wall for it to drain onto the pavement. This can result in damage tothe pavings and the front wall. A proper outlet should be formed to allow therainwater to drain away properly.

Thedownpipe from the bay gutter discharges onto the ground and this may causelocalised flooding and damp problems. The downpipe should be connected directlyinto the underground rainwater system.



4. The windows. Thedouble glazing has failed in several windows and repair or replacement glazingwill be required.



5. The main front door. The front door contains glasswhich may not have a safety rating. The glazing should be replaced with safetyglass.



6. Insulation andventilation. The thermal insulation inthe loft has been improved but is inadequate and uneven and compressed underthe stored items, which reduces its efficiency. You should reposition andincrease the insulation when the loft has been cleared to ensure a total depthof at least 270mm. Ventilation within the roofspace should also be improved byadding vents in the eaves, gable wall and roof slopes to reduce the risk ofcondensation and damp. This risk will be increased if loft insulation isupgraded without improving existing ventilation rates.



7. Sub-floor ventilation. Air circulation beneath thesuspended timber floor to the front is inadequate as there is an inadequatenumber of vents. As this can lead to decay, the sub-floor ventilation needs tobe significantly improved.



8. The separate garage. The garage is constructed inbrick and has a felt covered roof. It is old and in need of some attention. Theroof felt is ageing and may have a limited life remaining. Repairs are requiredto cracks in the wall brickwork and floor concrete.



9. External areas.The rear concrete yard surface is cracked and uneven and should be renewed.Also, the block pavings are uneven in places and may be a tripping hazard andrequire repair or possibly localised renewal. The brick and stone boundary andretaining walls need repair and repointing in places. The retaining walls atthe front of the yard should be provided with drainage holes to reduce erosionof the joints and masonry. The front steps should be provided with a suitablehandrail. The brick shed is in poorcondition and requires major repair.

Apologies for the huge post!

kiddakidda

The problem with homebuyers reports is how they can be interpreted by the recipient. And the strong backside covering words used by the author.

As your surveyor has pointed out the house in relation to the year it was built is in good order. Looking at the points raised would probably apply to the majority of the homes in this country.

Just accept that as the owner of an older property that it will be an 'ongoing maintenance' regime to keep the property in good order.

All of the items is both your class 2's and 3's can be classed as maintenance jobs.

The only thing I would possibly look into is the localised damp, and even then it wouldn't be a deal breaker.

Peenutbutter

Thanks for the reply ....I think we just freaked out a little as have never seen a homebuyer report before and it all looked a little scary at first.