Help! Want advice before 2nd viewing :)

LHam

Hello.
I am looking for some advice and opinions on a house I am interested in making an offer on as I am not sure if a few issues I noted are concerning.
I'm not exactly sure of the period of the property but I guess it's a 1930-1950's 3 bedroom semi-detached. I really like the property and have arranged a second viewing this afternoon.

1. The wall between the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms has been moved (to increase the size of the 3rd bedroom) - will this have had effect on structure?

2. Kitchen has been extended (maybe 20 years ago) EA mentioned this is 'single skin' and was noticibly colder in that that part of the kitchen. EA also said that there was no planning permission for this, however this has not been an issue on previous searches etc. Do you think this is a problem? What are the likely issues with this?

3. The loft hatch is in the bathroom and seemed quite small. I have seen a few similar houses but have never seen loft hatch in bathroom before - again is this an issue/ what would the likely problems be? I'm wondering if access to loft would be difficult? Would it be easy to move the loft hatch in the future?

Thank you so much for reading any advice would be great!

eddddy

LHam wrote: »

1. The wall between the 2nd and 3rd bedrooms has been moved (to increase the size of the 3rd bedroom) - will this have had effect on structure?

It depends on whether the wall was load bearing. If it was load bearing, a joist should have been put in to take the load. If it wasn't load bearing, it's probably not a big deal.

LHam wrote: »

2. Kitchen has been extended (maybe 20 years ago) EA mentioned this is 'single skin' and was noticibly colder in that that part of the kitchen. EA also said that there was no planning permission for this, however this has not been an issue on previous searches etc. Do you think this is a problem? What are the likely issues with this?

No planning enforcement action can be taken on anything done 20 years ago. Your main concern is if it's not structurally sound.

If heat insulation is an issue, there are ways to insulate it which may help - externally or internally.

Also, some mortgage lenders can be a bit fussy if part of a property is single skinned.

LHam wrote: »

3. The loft hatch is in the bathroom and seemed quite small. I have seen a few similar houses but have never seen loft hatch in bathroom before - again is this an issue/ what would the likely problems be? I'm wondering if access to loft would be difficult? Would it be easy to move the loft hatch in the future?

Enlarging or creating a new loft hatch is not a big job.

Although was the bathroom in an extension? If so, there may be two separate roof spaces, so you might want two hatches.

LHam

Thanks eddddy!

Slinky

We took along steps and checked out the loft access (with the vendor's permission) when we were looking at one property. That was in a cupboard off the bathroom would you believe! It was very close to the external wall and access through it was very limited. I think walls had been moved. We'd have moved the loft hatch if we'd have bought the property as the surveyor said the access was so tight he couldn't get up for a proper look.

ETA we did ask via the estate agent in advance if it was OK as the vendor had to clear out the cupboard.

LHam

Thanks eddddy!

[Deleted User]

if the kitchen has been extension is a single brick wall build, and has a flat roof, see if you can go upstairs and take a picture of the roof, see if the roof needs repairs. Also check the main roof whilst outside, see if you can see any sagging yourself due to bedroom wall being moved.

if you can't see any signs of repair being needed then its worth sending a surveyor in. If you can see suspect things, its only worth pursuing the property/paying for a surveyor, initial solicitor fees if you think the vendor will accept a need to negotiate on the price (but also bear in mind how low or high the given price is with regard to comparables in the street). The price may already have been adjusted.

Cakeguts

Is the bathroom in the front of the property? I am only asking because all of the houses that I have been in of the typical 1930s design have had the smallest bedroom next to the main one basically over the entrance hall downstairs apart from the ones that have the bathroom in the front in that position.