70s house

Asas

I am in the process of buying a 70s house. I think it was built in 1971 or 1972.

Are there anything I should know before going any further into the process? Any potential troubles?

My concerns are
1. It has a flat roof, not 100% may be 75%?
2. As the potential of natural ground subsidence is medium to high in the area and the house is positioned on the slight sloping land. I am worried about the subsidence already.
3. Asbestos. Is it so common in that era?
4. Flood risk comes as low but it did shock me since I thought is was Flood free.

I love the location of the house however I don't want to have troubles. Before I spend another £1000 on survey, are there anyone with 70s houses help me please?

marksoton

You can't really compare houses from across the board in any given decade. 2 years earlier and it'd be a 60's property. Besides which regions vary massively in design and construction materials used.

1 Needs investigating

2 Needs investigating if you're already worried. But if no historical it's unlikely.

3 Very possibly, what's the concern?

4 I've yet to know anywhere classified as "flood free"

kinger101

Subsidence already posted here;

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5477385

As for flat roof, they're less durable than sloping roofs. Perhaps need replacing every 20-25 years rather than 75-100 years. Ask when it was last done.

Asbestos is fine if you leave it where it is.

Asas

I live in a floodplain area at the moment so I am trying to avoid it this time, even though it was never flooded. So even low risk shocked me. That area is not really considered with any risk of flood at all.

I Think there is no way other than the structural survey if i would like to find out more about the house.

Thank you for your replies.

marksoton

Asas wrote: »

I live in a floodplain area at the moment so I am trying to avoid it this time, even though it was never flooded. So even low risk shocked me. That area is not really considered with any risk of flood at all.

I Think there is no way other than the structural survey if i would like to find out more about the house.

Thank you for your replies.

Put it this way, i live in a first floor flat and they claimed flood risk. No chance, short of the world ending. In a risk adverse and litigious society no one will sign off any property as zero risk.

Whether you instruct the SS is down to how worried you are and how much you want the property.

Flyingpig

Asas wrote: »

4. Flood risk comes as low but it did shock me since I thought is was Flood free.

I live at the top of one of the highest hills in my area and because it was within 500m of a stream came back as high flood risk. You have seen the property and said you are shocked it came back as low risk. I would take it with a pinch of salt.

booksurr

Flyingpig wrote: »

I live at the top of one of the highest hills in my area

I hope you have a lightning conductor fitted or you will end up :eek: one day as it sounds like that is your risk, not flooding

booksurr

Asas wrote: »

I am in the process of buying a 70s house. I think it was built in 1971 or 1972.

Are there anything I should know before going any further into the process? Any potential troubles?

My concerns are
1. It has a flat roof, not 100% may be 75%? find out when it was last replaced as they will need going "regulalry" and it's a few £0,000 a time
2. As the potential of natural ground subsidence is medium to high in the area and the house is positioned on the slight sloping land. I am worried about the subsidence already. so are we all, but what has this got to do with it being a '70s house?
3. Asbestos. Is it so common in that era? leave it along and it won't matter. Without seeing the style of the house its impossible to say anything meaningful
4. Flood risk comes as low but it did shock me since I thought is was Flood free. so are we all, but what has this got to do with it being a '70s house?

I love the location of the house however I don't want to have troubles. Before I spend another £1000 on survey, are there anyone with 70s houses help me please?

as above, good luck

Asas

1. It was resurfaced in 2005.

2. What I was trying to ask Initially was because it is 70s house, it might have a good foundation unlike the Victorian? So may be less likely to have subsidence? Also mid terraced means less risky? However I've realised it needs survey.

3. I cannot see artex ceiling but it is a bit dated. Also down to survey I guess

4. It is noting to do with 70s. Just my concern. After all, I don't think it will cause any trouble.

I think I've just wanted someone to say that 70s house is fine and assure me in a way.

Thanks a lot for your replies.

marksoton

Asas wrote: »

What I was trying to ask Initially was because it is 70s house, it might have a good foundation unlike the Victorian?

Take the survey.

The Victorian builds i've seen have been far superior to those afterwards. Their brickwork is unsurpassed.

Running_Horse

The only expensive issue I had in ten years in a 70s house was outdated plumbing and a new fuse box. Sure, stuff needs updating. But that will be the same in every era of housing. And having spent twenty years in a Victorian house...never again.