Selling with damp.

gibsong1983

Im just about to get someone round to value my house and put it on the market, the house was perfect for us but now as a growing family we need somewhere bigger. We stand to make money on the house (around 20k) from when we bought it due to the market swinging in our favor but we have a damp issue!

I know people say is it damp or condensation but im pretty sure its damp, in fact im certain its damp. What will be the best way to sort this, be honest when people view the house? get the repairs done and take the hit? its noticeable in the kitchen and living room but also now on the ceiling in two upstairs bedrooms.
Help....:A:mad:

nubbins

How about getting it fixed

pmlindyloo

This link might help you as regards what kind of damp it is

http://www.which.co.uk/home-and-garden/home-improvements/guides/dealing-with-damp/rising-damp-condensation-or-penetrating-damp/

In the end, though, you may need a damp specialist particularly as you 'know' it is not just condensation.

Once you know how much it is going to cost then you can work out whether to declare it and take the hit from the price or get it done yourself.

Any good surveyor will spot it whether you try to disguise it or not.

Personally I would have to deal with as morally it is the right thing to do. Your choice though.

Nobbie1967

I'd leave it and when it comes up in the survey, be flexible with price to reflect the work needed. If you do the work upfront, then the damp may not have entirely gone by the time you sell and the buyers may be a bit nervous about the work you say you've had done.

Maybe get in a damp expert, rather than a firm selling damp treatments to quote for what needs doing, so you have a good basis from which to negotiate.

G_M

'Damp' is just water. It comes from somewhere.

Either is is generated inside (yes, 'condensation') from cooking, washing, lack of ventilation.

Or it comes in from outside. In which case there is a reason: penetrating through the walls, leaking through the roof, rising up from the ground.

Once you know the source, you can repair as required, or change your lifestyle as appropriate.

TBeckett100

Blow dry the walls an hour before the building surveyor comes and maybe stack stuff on the affected walls as the surveyor can only assess what he has access to

ManofLeisure_2

TBeckett100 wrote: »

Blow dry the walls an hour before the building surveyor comes

Crikey, now I've heard it all ..... :eek:

makeitstop

OP...

How long has this been visible.?

Can the damp patch be easily removed with wiping over the affected areas with a damp cloth, or, is there staining / discolour coming "through" the wall surface.?

Are the affected areas all on the same side of the house.?..i.e.. affected ground floor wall is below affected walls / ceilings above it.?

If this is recent, get a roofer in to check roof / chimney (if there is one) and rainwater gear (guttering / downpipes etc)

May well be an easy fix and could save you on negotiating unnecessary discounts.

makeitstop

ManofLeisure wrote: »

Crikey, now I've heard it all ..... :eek:

Yeh, a little gem that one wasn't it. haha.

xylophone

in fact im certain its damp.

And the cause is? Why have you tolerated it this long? It can't be good for your health/that of your family?

System

May be worth looking at what competition you face from other houses of that type for sale to judge what buyers will tolerate and pay