Survey result: problem!!

spadoosh

chaoclive wrote: »

So, just got the Colleys report and there's a long list of issues
-'wood boring insects' on the stairs bit of an issue would ask for this sorted
-penetrating damp in the ground floor; some areas of affected plaster may require to be replaced/repaired. at a guess this would be caused by something leaking (guttering downpipe) wouldnt bother me too much
-damp ingress close to the chimney stack; due to some lead flashings missing again wouldnt bother me too much, would ask for the price to be reduced accordingly
-moss on roof slopes should be removed Suppose it should be done to prevent very long term damage but i wouldnt even know where to start with this, can you find moss removal people in the yellow pages?
-no evidence of defects of flat roof, but this will need replaced at some time in the future What?! this in essence says, this item isnt broken, it will need replacing one day. Thats true of the property and everything in it?!
-redundant flues should be capped to stop condensation problems developing is there no cover? that wont be too expensive./COLOR]
-electrics may not comply with current regulations and need updating. (I don't think this mean a complete rewire; probably more to do with updating the circuit box, as it's an old house) But they may, it sounds like this person didnt know.

Also, of concern is: the back extension was built over the main sewer line. I don't know if planning permission was given or not. I guess this is something that my solicitor will have to check. yup

Any ideas about costs of the above? Does it sound like a big job? Might it be worth forgetting it?

I have spoken to the Estate Agent and asked her to talk to the seller. I'm still waiting on a response...not holding my breath. I doubt that the owner will drop the price by enough to cover the above!

Thanks a lot for any insight!
CC

The report is covering the surveyors behind making sure they cant get sued IF something goes wrong.

If you are buying a second hand house its rarely in perfect condition. Although my friends bought a new build and had lots of reports done. They moved in and spent the next 12 months sorting out problems that we'rent in the reports. So go figure?!


As for the reductions you cannot be sure that the seller/agents wasnt aware of these issues and priced accordingly. If a handle broke would you expect them to reduce the price by £4.50?

The problem youve got OP is that whilst ther might be a few issues the house for all intents and purposes is exactly what it was before that report was made up, (probably!) a perfectly nice house. It doesnt make it more or less likely to fall down, it doesnt make it more or less likely to develop problems.

Think of it like your MOT, anything that would fail it would fail the banks valuation, what youve got is the advisories section. Whilst it might need lookin at, its not immediately a major problem.

Your welcome to stay or go, you will find most other second hand houses have these or similar issues give or take a few comments.

chaoclive

Thanks so much Spadoosh! It's really kind of you to take the time to go through all of that

Fingers crossed it is just being blown up by the surveyor to cover himself (which would be fine if I knew that in advance). You're right about the valuation section.

I've started to request more quotes...still nothing just yet but here's hoping!

Thanks again
CC

spadoosh

chaoclive wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys!

Mrgringe: The reason why I would ask to renegotiate is simply that the survey has turned up many more issues than were visible to the untrained eye. I was told by the EA that the vendor has a survey undertaken previously and that everything was fine. That is not the case, especially since the surveyor from Colleys was actually the person who had carried out the original survey. To be honest, if the vendor doesn't negotiate I am not too worried. I can still continue to rent and search at present. I'm not in a major rush. The issue is that the seller will be stuck with a property that he himself doesn't want and, based on the recent survey report history, neither will another first time buyer!

This should be of no concern to you, you shouldnt buy a house of someone because they dont want it, you should buy because you do.

Tbf to the EA and vendors it is fine. Whats on that report that you wouldnt find in a similar property of the same age?

Im sure you'd agree that buckingham palace was 'fine'. I can imagine the 300 year old walls would raise an issue on a structural survey and there would almost certainly be big issues with damp.

chaoclive

Thanks again. The only issue is that it's my first one and I'm probably overcautious. The seller has agreed to drop the price by £2k to try to cover off some of the work but I'm now concerned about something else I noticed in the report. It says that the extension was built over a mains sewer line. I've called the planning permission guys to see if they have anything on file for it but their systems aren't showing anything.

Agggghhhhhh...it's really unnerving. Have put a request for a callback in from the solicitor to see if they can do any check in advance of the full conveyancing work but I'm still waiting...

spadoosh

Relax it sounds like you will do everything in your power to mitigate as many risks as possible, sensible prudent approach but also be realistic in that most properties (incl new builds) will have those types of problems. Things arent always perfect. If your not prepared for that you might be best renting an abstaining yourself of the responsibility of owning property.

Out of curiosity when was the extension built?

aferrary

Hi all,

Sorry to revive this thread but...could you tell me what lender has been used?

I have just been refused by Barclays because the property I want to buy has old electrics and it's unsatisfactory with the new regulation (I had to do a report).

Thanks in advance for any help.

kirtsypoos

Use of Colleys would suggest Halifax as far as I'm aware

aferrary

Am I right to assume the lender was ok with the property?