Damp Course required 3 months after completion

Gman1988

Hi All,

We are due to exchange and our valuation flagged a damp issue at the property we are buying.

We had to get a Damp & Timber report carried out. We did and the contractors quoted 4K+vat to carry out a damp proof course and to remove plaster and replaster when finished.

We do not believe there is an issue with “rising damp” neither do the vendors. They have never had an issue and obviously are frustrated by the findings.

We’ve got a second opinion and they have quoted £3,200+vat to do the same work as what the first company quoted.

Our lenders have issued our mortgage offer with a clause that we have to sign a statement saying we will get the work done mentioned in the report by said company within 3 months of completion.

Our hands are tied now it seems. We've offered 5k over the asking price. We’ve gone back to the vendors and asked for a £4k reduction. Which they refused.

They have offered us £500 as a good will gesture and mentioned again that they have had no issues with damp and said walls have recently been replastered when they redecorated and fitted new kitchen.

What would you suggest we do from here? We are not far from completion and want to get this sorted over the next few days.

Thanks

juniordoc

If it's a condition of your lender you don't really have any choice but to
A) find a different lender
pay for the work yourselves after completion
C) continue to negotiate on the agreed price
D)Not buy this house

I'd never before heard of a lender insisting on work after completion, sounds pretty strict.

Thrugelmir

Does the property have an existing damp proof course already?

kingstreet

Who did these reports?

Free report by firms which make a living from fitting damp courses, or by an independent surveyor;-

http://www.independentdampsurveyors.co.uk/

who charges for the inspection and report but who doesn't do damp courses or plastering?

Ross1234

I would strongly recommend using an independent surveyor. Do not use a free survey provided by a firm that does the damp courses as it is in their interest to find problems to charge you for. I paid £120 for a survey, which uncovered that the only issue was some broken guttering requiring a maximum of £200 to fix the problem.

Gman1988

We!!!8217;ve paid for two separate surveys. One was £80 and the second £100. Both firms have an interest in the work they have quoted for.

Amst

Gman1988 wrote: »

We do not believe there is an issue with “rising damp” neither do the vendors. They have never had an issue and obviously are frustrated by the findings.

Yeah because that only means one thing for them - a reduction in the purchase price! :rotfl::j