Who should pay for council inspection of prior owners "building work"

ydrol2

FWIW, to store up reserves after home purchase, we've been advised the rented properties should temporarily go to Interest Only, and put saved money towards reserves and landlord costs. (obviously still have to pay back the capital at some point and plan for that),

ydrol2

theartfullodger wrote: »

Good, should help! Hope it works out..

Given pretty much anyone can start working in a letting agency with no qualifications, no training, no criminal records check (yeah, I know the name changed.. got checked myself..) relying of lettings staff might be unwise...

Thanks known him for 35+ years, but yeah... ray of sunshine you are

ydrol2

stator wrote: »

The council inspection is irrelevant since you're not selling the fact that you don't have building compliance doesn't matter.
All you need to know is that it's safe, so get a structural engineer to do a proper inspection and act on his suggestions.

Good to know. I primarily (above all) want it to be safe , and secondly I want not to be liable should the worst happen.

I'll find out how much a structural engineer inspection is?

Presumably similar figure? But if I go council inspection I might still need the engineer anyway right?

AdrianC

You've owned the place for over a decade. The work was done some time before that.

Has it moved in that time? No? It's safe.

ess0two

I'm gobsmacked he expected someone else to pay for it,!!!!!!.

AdrianC

ess0two wrote: »

I'm gobsmacked he expected someone else to pay for it,!!!!!!.

Can you imagine the thread?
"I sold the house ten years ago, and the buyer's just sent me a bill for retrospective BR..."

ydrol2

To the last couple of responses...

Jesus relax people. The previous owner has done what looks like a structural bodge job, which I suspect I will have to put right. No harm in asking ? OK Waiting 10 years before realising is a bit much. What about 5 years, 2 years 1 year. I got the answer. Loud and clear. Multiple times. For those snarky responders only ... Get off your high self-congratulatory horses !!!!!!. As if you know everything about everything..

If (for example/hypothetically) I removed a load bearing wall , sold you the house, and you found out 10 years later, wouldn't some part of you, still, think the seller has some responsibility(Buyer Beware - Caveat Emptor etc) even if - as you point out - really its tough luck. No need to shoot down someone for asking the bloody question.

To add to the fun - the remaining chimney stack is on a party wall. And yes there is a hairline crack in the plaster below the lintel.

stator

ydrol2 wrote: »

Good to know. I primarily (above all) want it to be safe , and secondly I want not to be liable should the worst happen.

I'll find out how much a structural engineer inspection is?

Presumably similar figure? But if I go council inspection I might still need the engineer anyway right?

Yes if you pay the council for an inspection they'll just tell you it's unsafe and to get it fixed.
A specific structural survey (ie not whole house) should only cost a few hundred. But might cost more if it involves intrusive inspection

marksoton

ydrol2 wrote: »

Jesus relax people. The previous owner has done what looks like a structural bodge job, which I suspect I will have to put right. No harm in asking ? OK Waiting 10 years before realising is a bit much. What about 5 years, 2 years 1 year. I got the answer. Loud and clear. Multiple times. Get off your high self-congratulatory horses !!!!!!. As if you know everything about everything..

If (for example/hypothetically) I removed a load bearing wall , sold you the house, and you found out 10 years later, wouldn't some part of you, still, think the seller has some responsibility(Buyer Beware - Caveat Emptor etc) even if - as you point out - really its tough luck. No need to shoot down someone for asking the bloody question.

To add to the fun - the remaining chimney stack is on a party wall. And yes there is a hairline crack in the plaster below the lintel.

Attitude aside. Yes i'd get a structural engineer in and put it right.

You can almost guarantee a wooden lintel will not be sufficient. Only heading grade timbers would be. and even those are only for temporary works.

ydrol2

Not attitude, frustration at (some) know alls that revel in others ignorance [not everyone!] But thanks I'm on the right path thanks to useful contributions here.