Damp found by surveyor!!!

James_Rees

Hi, just joined the forum in the hope of some help. We're currently selling our property and had offer accepted on a house we want to buy. We've had a mortgage offer accepted and a valuation on the property were buying as been conducted and is fine.

The problem is with the property we live in now, (the one we're selling). The surveyor come round today and seemed generally happy with the property then mentioned the word rising damp! He said we have it and he s going to mention it in his report. He said it is common because the age of the house(100yrs old) he's going to recommend that the people buying our house have some of there mortgage in retention. I understand I won't know what they want until they see the survey but what are my options?? I'm a bit miffed off on loosing the house we're buying, any suggestions??

quotememiserable

I've got a suggestion. Use exclamation marks and question marks in singles.

James_Rees

Sorry didn't realise this was a grammar test, haven't you got anything better to do than pick me up for my bad grammar!!!!!!!!????????

MisterP123

James_Rees wrote: »

Sorry didn't realise this was a grammar test, haven't you got anything better to do than pick me up for my bad grammar!!!!!!!!????????

*Punctuation test :rotfl:

James_Rees

I thought this forum was supposed to be usefull???????!!!!!! Does it really matter grammar / punctuation ???!!!!!

MisterP123

James_Rees wrote: »

I thought this forum was supposed to be usefull???????!!!!!! Does it really matter grammar / punctuation ???!!!!!

*Useful

You need to chill out and stop making this so easy. You'll get the help you need.

James_Rees

I'm fine, are you???!!!!!

flashg67

I'd bet the surveyor is covering his backside on a house that old. I've bought 2 Victorian terraces in the last couple of years - both surveys said there were signs of damp - there was, but mainly due to poorly / incorrectly rendered stone work, leaking gutters & condensation, so easily remedied.

You could wait to see what the buyers ask for, such as a reduced selling price etc, or you could get your own survey done (not from a company that does repairs, but a specialist who does reports only), then offer to get the work done before the sale?

AlexMac

Every Victorian House has damp to some extent. Your buyer will know this if they already have experience of such properties; but they may not, or. they may be freaked and over-react to the slightest shadow on the (lender's?) survey. As they mention retention, I assume it was the mortgage comany's surveyor who passed that comment, although the buyer may also have asked them to do a home-buyers' or fuller survey for peace of mind.

The totally cynical reaction on their part would be if they know about Victorian houses, are not worried, but use the report to chisel a couple of grand off the price.
In which case it's down to your skills as a negotiator on the one hand, and their nerve on the other, as if they really chance their arm, they could lose the house; which they won't want to do after viewing lots, falling in love with your place for its heritage character and your lovely decor

As flash says, wait and see who blinks first.

If they do suggest a discount, suggest you split the difference, stressing that you have never been disadvantaged by the damp, and they will benefit from the Contarctors' work and damp guarantee; now, and when they eventually sell on.

I bet it will be all right!

James_Rees

Thank you so much with your replys. 👍

The_Logans

I'd be amazed if a survey on a Victorian property didn't highlight some damp. Our house was built in 1850 and had a lot of damp when we bought it. It didn't put us off and a few grand spent damp-proofing and replastering solved most of it. There are a still a few stubborn spots though! Old houses, full of charm and moisture