Type of survey,help.

Del&Shel

Hi,our offer on a property has been accepted and in the early days of conveyancing.
Our conveyancer has said a survey is required and has recommended a local firm to do this ( local firm has office next door to conveyancer).
I would like to avoid the expense of a home buyers report as on previous properties the report has not been of any useful help,sometimes the opposite.
We are not getting a mortgage as have proceeds of a previous sale and not in a chain.
The property is a leashold flat (share of freehold) 13 years old,top floor. When we had a viewing (its tenanted at the mo) and so full of boxes and possessions it was not possible to see much but overall in fairly good condition,no signs of cracks,water ingress or damp smells.
It needs a coat of paint and new carpets (not decorated since being built).

So,do you helpful people think any survey is required ?

Thank you for your time.

marksoton

So you're paying cash,without vacant possession on a place you can't even inspect properly yourself?

Alarm bells.....

kinger101

You don't want to know what your anticipated maintenance costs might be as either a leaseholder or freeholder? You have more to worry about than just the condition of the one flat.

I can sympathize with how little detail these reports actually contain. Sometimes full surveys are little better. But I'd focus on finding a reputable surveyor by asking around.

Del&Shel

marksoton kindly replied. So you're paying cash,without vacant possession on a place you can't even inspect properly yourself?

Yes cash,The vendor has confirmed vacant possession via email and I have asked my conveyancer to add a rider to withhold a reasonable amount £5k as unable to inspect the property,to cover damage unseen or damage during removal of furniture and property not as advertised in case the tenants nick the fancy fitted kitchen appliances.
Vendor has agreed.
Sale progressing.

kinger101

You really need to inspect the property again before you exchange to make sure;

(a) the property is indeed vacant;
(b) it hasn't been trashed.

Mr.Generous

I'd do my own inspection rather than pay for - as you say - a completely useless homebuyer report. But I would inspect, I'd move boxes, lift carpets and test the heating, plumbing and anything else I could.