Actions following survey report

Rkc_3

I'm a first time buyer and could do with some advice...
I got my building survey report back for the property I'm hoping to buy.
It has raised some issues, the one I'm most concerned about it an area of flooring outside bathroom that has potentially been damaged by water. I would need to lift the floor coverings in landing and bathroom to check (fitted carpet and stuck down vinyl tiles). Where do I stand on doing this?
The vinyl tiles are unlikely to come up without tearing but I don't want to not check underneath them incase things are very rotten!

Also estate agent has asked for copy of survey report... Is this normal and should I do it? The T&Cs say its for my use and I'm not to pass it on without their permission except to my professional advisors.

camperdown9

Hi

You paid for the survey, so it yours. If you want to share it with the estate agent (who works for the seller) then you can. However I don't think you have to.

With regards to the floor. Its really unlikely that the vender is going to let you damage the floor covering so you can inspect whats underneath . You might be able to find a builder who would give you an idea of what it might cost to fix if it was badly damaged from water. But it would only be a basic idea because who knows whats under the floor covering. It could however be a minor issue. The survey for the house we just exchanged on today said that the roof needed work. It was worded in such a way that we thought that was it, time to walk away. We had a builder look at it and yes it needs work but it doesn't need replaced and that what we were expecting.

Buying a house isn't really like buying anything else. The searches and survey will give you an idea of the state of the building that you are buying. However they are more like educated guesses that facts. Houses are never perfect.

Sorry I am sure this hasn't helped much.

Poppy9

Don't give copy to EA. If they want a survey of the house let them pay.

Have you had a basic housebuyer's survey because they just tend to point out any "potential" problem to cover themselves and recommend you get a further survey.

You paid for the report so ask him why he made the comment about "potential water damage". What evidence did he see or is it just because it's a bath room floor.

What you can do is ask in writing of the vendor if they are aware of any water damage to the floor or have they suffered a flood. You can ask you solicitor to ask them. If they lie, and in future you find out there has been damage, you can sue them.

Walk away if it mentions subsidence, or serious damp/dry rot issues. Minor issues like "chimney needs repointing", "broken roof tiles" etc. are mentioned on probably every survey done!

Rkc_3

I had building survey done (but unfortunately they don't lift floor coverings)
The floor was mentioned as the surveyor noticed it 'giving' under foot, it wasn't just coz it was in/ near the bathroom. It could just be grotty chipboard that needs replacing, but it could be rot that is more wide spread but I won't know unless I am able to see it.
There was nothing else in the survey that was a deal breaker - just this that could be v expensive.

I'm assuming that lifting the fitted carpet would be ok, so long as it was put back properly?!
It's the adhesive floor tiles in the bathroom that present the bigger problem... Although they are pretty shabby and in desperate need of replacement they are still stuck down :-(

[Deleted User]

Adhesive floor tiles are cheap. If you are totally desperate tp see how bad the floor is, offer to replace them. With cheap ones, the adhesive is often no good, I bought some and used hard as nails to stick them down, they looked perfect, didn't wear unexpectedly and stayed down.

If the tiles are underneath carpeting and tatty, the vendors might not mind if you pull a few up. Might be worth asking.