Work needed prior to purchase

Nichola231

Hey all!


I'm a first time buyer and in need of some advice.


I am sale agreed on a property, have a mortgage offer but haven't signed any contracts yet. I received a report from an additional survey I had done this week. The survey has flagged areas that require re-plastering and damp proofing. Its not a huge amount (£2500) but I don't have the budget to fix it myself.


Would it be unreasonable to ask the vendor to fix this prior to completion of sale? I'm hoping to speak to the estate agent soon but would like opinions from people who have been through this before.


The idea of house hunting again makes me want to hide under a rock and I'm getting kicked out of my rented house in 4 weeks, so I'm a bit stuck for options.


Thanks guys!
Nic

~Beanie~

You can always ask but don't be surprised if they say no. Is it urgent work or just something that is recommended?

Royster82

By the sounds of it, it's all cosmetics and you could ask but I'm guessing you would get told no, did you pay full asking price? If you did he might bring it down a little the price but not by much, and like beanie said is it recommended or urgent work, most surveyors just outline work that should be undertaken in the future... they also do outline serious problems also.

Nichola231

Thanks for getting back to me.


The survey has identified rising damp and the plaster is starting to lift.


The mortgage is for a few grand less than asking price. Even if I renegotiate the price, surely that just lowers the mortgage instead of freeing up cash?

Keezing

It's very unlikely that the property has "rising" damp, and it's very unlikely that the work the company has quoted you for will resolve the damp issue. The vast majority of these reports are designed to mislead you into paying over the odds to resolve something that may or may not be a serious problem.

Would you feel comfortable uploading a photo of the relevant parts of the report referring to the rising damp, and their proposed solution and costs?

If you have any photos of the problematic area that would also be helpful.

If I were the vendor, there is no way I would be paying £2.5k out of my pocket to fix this problem for you. If you're lucky you may be able to negotiation a small reduction in the price of the house, but as you said this won't free up the cash for you.

Royster82

If it's defo rising damp then I'd ask the question the worest answer would be no, however it may well be caused by condensation which is always about this time of year due to the weather might have to look at ventilation.

He may just lower the price tho to save doing the work himself, lowing the mortgage by a couple of thousands will only really save you maybe a few hundred pounds at most. You might have to decide are you happy to buy knowing the problems..

On the plus side at least you know it's a problem and can get it sorted asap... loads of people buy house and find out once moved in lol

Nichola231

Thanks guys. You've gave me a lot to think about. Tempted to take my deposit and run away to an island far away from here haha

Thrugelmir

Keezing wrote: »

It's very unlikely that the property has "rising" damp, and it's very unlikely that the work the company has quoted you for will resolve the damp issue.

Rising damp is extremely common in older properties. Not that difficult to resolve.

Keezing

Thrugelmir we will just have to disagree. I don't know what data you are using which indicates that rising damp is "extremely" common in older properties.

Almost all damp is penetrating damp or condensation. And there is always a way to fix it which rarely involves chemicals.

There's a reason current RICS guidelines recommend Rising be placed in inverted commas.

See: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/-rising-damp-is-a-myth-says-former-rics-chief/5204095.article

In response, the RICS has put the term ‘rising damp’ in inverted commas in its latest factsheet – according to Boniface, as a ‘non-subtle hint’ to its members.

‘The most likely causes of damp are moisture penetration and, most commonly, condensation,’ said Boniface in an interview with NBS Learning Channels

In response, Elaine Blackett-Ord, chair of the Register of Architects Accreditged in Building Conservation, has also spoken out against rising damp, saying it was as rare as ‘rocking-horse !!!!’.

Thrugelmir

Keezing wrote: »

Thrugelmir we will just have to disagree. I don't know what data you are using which indicates that rising damp is "extremely" common in older properties.

Almost all damp is penetrating damp or condensation. And there is always a way to fix it which rarely involves chemicals.

There's a reason current RICS guidelines recommend Rising be placed in inverted commas.

See: https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/-rising-damp-is-a-myth-says-former-rics-chief/5204095.article

In response, the RICS has put the term ‘rising damp’ in inverted commas in its latest factsheet – according to Boniface, as a ‘non-subtle hint’ to its members.

‘The most likely causes of damp are moisture penetration and, most commonly, condensation,’ said Boniface in an interview with NBS Learning Channels

In response, Elaine Blackett-Ord, chair of the Register of Architects Accreditged in Building Conservation, has also spoken out against rising damp, saying it was as rare as ‘rocking-horse !!!!’.

I must have a rocking horse then. Along with my neighbour.

Thrugelmir

Well I've had to address the issue this year myself, and I don't own a rocking horse.

"After carrying out a substantial literature review on this question I can with confidence state two facts.

1. Rising damp does exist and is a scientifically proven phenomenon.

2. Although it exists it is incredibly rare.

The more common academic view is that between 5% and 10% of damp properties will be affected by rising damp; "

Whereas the article you quote seems to be addressing the industry which is a different matter entirely.