Homebuyer report - condition 3 ratings - scale of potential repair?

lisx87

Hi there,

I'm in the process of buying a victorian cottage. The homebuyer report has flagged several 3's, a couple of which I'm unsure on in terms of potential associated cost/hassle:

Roof coverings:

The main roof is a traditional pitch structure, covered with slate. The roof timbers appear to be overstretched and deflection is taking place. Strengthening may be required and a specification should be supplied by a structural engineer.

Roof structure:

... The strutting is of adequate design but there is some deflection of the purlins which support the main slope.

Floors:

Ventilation to the timber ground floor is inadequate and additional air bricks or grills should be provided. There is a possibility that rot has occurred and precautionary check of timbers, including underfloor areas is essential.

The vendor has indicated they won't move on price as we are already under asking price. This was to factor in other modernisation works required but unsure of extent/cost of above issues.

Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks

Cakeguts

The roof problem depends on what is causing it. When you viewed the house did you look at the roof? Was it flat in all places or were there dips in it?

lisx87

Thanks for the reply Cakeguts. From what we can see from the outside of the roof it looks to be flat, no obvious sagging from what we could see at ground level...

Cakeguts

If you are buying a house that needs internal modernisation that is the time to attend to any roof or floor ventilation problems. It is much more of a problem if you buy a house that has been modernised but only superficially and the structural problem eithers covered up or not repaired because this means that you may have to destroy some of the nice internal fittings to get to the problems.

He is saying that it looks as if there has been something going on with the roof. The only way to find out what that is, is to have someone look at the roof if you are worried. I assume that the previous owners have lived in the house with the roof like that and aren't responsible for the problems highlighted?