1950 built semi

paulroberts

I viewed a 1950s three bed semi the house hasn't been lived in for the last few years the decoration is dated 1970s. The previous owner has passed away. The house has a sight musty smell inside.
I didn't notice any damp when viewing the property What could be coursing this smell? I also notice air vents at ground level but the ground floors are now solid construction, would this type of house had suspended ground floors when built? Also would the house been built with a damp course?

[Deleted User]

I think this is what surveys are for. With the best will in the world people who answer can only guess.

A house that has been empty for a while will usually smell musty. I might not have been heated for an extended period of time. Doesn't mean there isn't damp, just that the musty smell doesn't necessarily imply damp. Was the wallpaper peeling, could you see damp spots, bubbling paint, were the floors spongy?

GoldenShadow

My 1930's house does not have damp and the kitchen still smells musty in the mornings (moved in a month ago). As other poster says, a survey would be your best bet.

I don't know re 50's houses, my 30's one has solid concrete floor in kitchen and lounge is suspended. We have air bricks lower down and vents higher up. Two walls are cavity and two are solid brick. Our damp proof course is bridged at the back with decking but our survey said only worry if there is damp as the house had none.

My grandparent's house always smelt musty. That was sold not long ago and didn't have damp etc.

Davesnave

1950s houses will usually have been built with cavity walls and a DPC, but floors could be either concrete or suspended. It would be unusual for a suspended floor to be swapped for a concrete one in the 1970s on a house of this kind.

Tyical issues on this age of house are spreading roofs due to heavier tiles being used than they could really support, failing clay tiles, and failing wall ties. The wall ties aren't difficult to rectify.

There are also likely to be other issues too, specific to the house: eg rotted soffits, bad guttering and suspect electricals or plumbing, but this is all par for a house not properly given major updates since the 70s/80s.

stator

Is it a privately built house, or an old council house? The construction method will vary.
Post a picture of the type of house you are talking about

societys_child

air vents at ground level but the ground floors are now solid construction

Sounds like cavity wall vents. My 1945 property is the same (and it does have a DPC)

macman

'the house has not been lived in for the past few years'
So not really surprising that an unheated and unventilated empty property has a slight musty smell.
Whether the neglect has caused any worse damage (i.e. structural rather than cosmetic) can only be determined by your surveyor, as suggested above

paulroberts

heres a picture of the house