Damp found by surveyor!!!

James_Rees

Very true, but unsure what the buyers will think.

James_Rees

Would you use a damp specialist or a local builder??

societys_child

Depends what's causing it . . .

James_Rees

I think it's just the fact that's it's an old house. 1900 approx built.

sheff6107

Rising damp is usually a damp proof course issue. So it's no good the surveyor pointing out the damp but not looking at the DPC

James_Rees

Would it have had a DPC being the age it is??

societys_child

Probably not.

kingstreet

James_Rees wrote: »

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??

The surveyor has put a "damp meter" against the wall and detected "damp."

What has actually been detected is moisture, which can have myriad causes in addition to damp-course failure. Leaky rainwater goods (gutters/downspouts), failed roof lead flashing, chimney re-pointing or external soil level bridging the damp-course are some of the culprits.

The surveyor will add a suggested retention assuming extensive damp course work is required as he will not know the cause, nor the cost of the remedy.

Your purchaser will be advised to obtain a specialist report on "damp" and if they contract a firm which offers 'free' reports and which installs damp-courses, they will probably be advised a damp-course is required; then they will come back to you to pay for it, so you won't find it very 'free' as you'll end up paying for work which may well be unnecessary.

They should be encouraged to instruct an independent timber & damp surveyor and pay for such a report. If you offer to pay, or to go halves, you will retain control or at least have a copy of the report to use with future purchasers if these pull out.

On receipt of the report, which will probably identify a cheap and easy fix, they can submit this to their lender/surveyor and the suggested retention will be lifted and you can get the bits of work done and sell your property for the agreed price.

This is a process where playing the game will save everyone thousands, but where there is scope for wasted expense and hysterical reactions.

km0163_2

Hello, I'm sorry to piggy back off this thread but I'm in a very similar position myself, although fortunately the home I am selling is not mortgaged and I'm not living in it!


I should start by saying I'm in Scotland so not sure if survey's etc work differently. Anyway my home report confirms A LOT of moisture was detected so the EA recommended I get a damp specialist to provide an estimate which I could include with the home report. They concluded that there is rising damp in my property (Victorian Tenement) and have estimated to the tune of £5799.91 to do a lot of work not of which seems to be more investigation than anything else, although they do talk about installing "delta isolating membrane"....I don't have the money to pay for this so have gone ahead and put it on the market. It's been on a couple of months and we've had no bites. Do you think it would be beneficial for me to take a loan out and have the required work done myself?


Thanks!

armchaireconomist

km0163 -


I suggest you go inspect your rendering/brickwork/guttering/roofing/drains and fix any maintenance issues. Then go buy a decent dehumidifier, damp seal and employ a painter/decorator.


Most damp is painfully simple issues, which will remedy over time. A damp proof specialist who's "surveying" business model relies on income from associated works is always going to suggest you spent £6,000 on remedial works.