We don't believe claim of ignorance by seller

dc197

We are not trying to make a big deal. Sorry if it seems that way,that is not our intention. We understand that buying a second hand house will invariably uncover things to fix.
What we are trying to understand is as mentioned : We would like to know when the garage cracks appeared and when they were last poly-filled, as this will indicate how progressive the issue is.

I made this post seeking advice about how to approach the apparent inconsistency whereby I'm told they are unaware of the issue yet have clearly tried to repair it.
This thread has been very useful and I now see that the inconsistency is explained by them saying they knew nothing of the progressive structural issue, not that they knew nothing of the cracks. My thanks to those who helped enlighten me

AnotherJoe

How do you even know it's an "issue". Good luck finding a house that doesn't have minor non structural cracks,

AFAICS several surveyors including have said there is no structural cracking. Minor cracks in an internal garage wall? Is this not trivial? You could get them checked again or query the surveyor but since your surveyor has apparently said they aren't structural IMO you seem to be making too much of this.

alchemist.1

dc197 wrote: »

We are not trying to make a big deal. Sorry if it seems that way,that is not our intention. We understand that buying a second hand house will invariably uncover things to fix.
What we are trying to understand is as mentioned : We would like to know when the garage cracks appeared and when they were last poly-filled, as this will indicate how progressive the issue is.

I made this post seeking advice about how to approach the apparent inconsistency whereby I'm told they are unaware of the issue yet have clearly tried to repair it.
This thread has been very useful and I now see that the inconsistency is explained by them saying they knew nothing of the progressive structural issue, not that they knew nothing of the cracks. My thanks to those who helped enlighten me

You won't get an answer you can rely on, so it would leave you in the same position. Be it these vendors or any other vendor.

dc197

AnotherJoe wrote: »

your surveyor has apparently said they aren't structural IMO you seem to be making too much of this.

No, I have not stated that. He said the cracks are structural and most likely due to soil erosion due to leaking drains adjacent.

MartiMcfly

Im assuming you're a first time buyer? You say - However our survey last month also spotted minor cracking to the integral garage wall.

So what? How old is the house, when was the garage built? So you've done a full structural survey yourselves and his/her conclusion was the above?

As someone who has been buying and selling houses for 20 years, I don't really understand your issue. All houses have cracks of some sort, a structural surveyor should give you a cost of problems and what it could cost to put right, you use that to argue with the seller to reduce the price. Its a dangerous game, because they could just get p'd off and sell to someone else who isn't bothered.

Me personally, if I was paying the full asking price, I'd try and get money off, if I got it at a bargain, I would swallow it. Structural surveyors are a cautious bunch, sounds like he's saying basically the house isn't about to fall down. Did you have a mortgage on the property OK, if its passed that, it will pass someone else's, or a cash buyer with only a structural survey might take a punt, either way you'll lose the house. Be warned, unless you buy a new build with a 10 year NHBC, you're never going to find a perfect house

MartiMcfly

Why didn't you say so? that's not subsidence, any place I've purchased without the S word, I wouldn't lose sleep over

phill99

OP: Let's be truthful here. This house isn't for you is it?

Hoploz

I don't understand how you've got evidence of these historic reports when the owners have been there since 1997?

Money_saving_maniac

I've filled cracks in my walls. If someone asked me when I'd filled them, I might or might not remember.
Filling cracks that you notice is not the same as knowing about why the cracks appeared.
If someone asked me the question you've asked, this would probably be my answer too, with bafflement.

"do not understand (the) reference to progressive structural movement at [the garage], neither are they aware of such problems".

dc197

Hi folks
Many thanks for the replies so far.
My aim here was to understand the apparent inconsistency with the answer to one of my queries, and I have gained that - thank you all.

Regarding the other questions posed here, allow me to give the time line. That will clear up a few vagaries or misunderstandings.

1970s - house and integral garage built
1980s - current owners buy
1990s - subsidence issue at rear of house; fixed
2001 - report to confirm repairs were successful was commissioned
March 2016 - We booked full survey to check that the 1990s issue is sound
March 2016 (same day that our survey occurs) - solicitor forwards us a copy of the 2001 survey done by the current owners to confirm 1990s repairs. It reports no cracking anywhere - great.
End of March - we see the report we commissioned. It too confirms the 1990s issue is still sound, BUT throws up this other structural issue on another part of the house.
April - we query the newer issue, asking questions to determine how long ago the owners noticed and repaired this issue. This is to understand the progressive nature of the issue, if any.
Today - receive the answer that they know of no structural issue there

The latest issue is not a simple crack that needs pointing. We'd not be fussed about that (no, we are not FTBs and understand that imperfections exist). It's been described by our surveyor as a structural issue most likely due to the adjacent drains leaking.


In conclusion:
The 1990s issue is twice confirmed as all sound, some newer issue exists elsewhere, the current owners don't know the cause, our surveyor made suggestions for cause and remedial action, we will now decide whether to swallow or negotiate the cost of a repair.

Again - many thanks. Let's let this thread go to bed.