Home Buyers Survey - Bad report

jolester

If the JK is the biggest issue then I'd get a JK expert to confirm it is in fact that.

A house I sold three years ago had our buyers pull out as their surveyor said there was JK. There wasn't. Another case of backside covering on something he didn't know much about. We got the expert report and gave it to the EA for anyone else who may have had a concern.

Cost me £150 I believe

Davesnave

victoriavictorious wrote: »

That's far too sensible a suggestion, dunroving, which is why it will never happen. I'm sure surveyors would soon be up in arms if their highly-lucrative cash cow was circumvented by buyers selling their reports on.

The laws governing EAs already require them to advise buyers of significant matters, like previous sales falling through due to JK, so not all the blame can be heaped on surveyors.

Davesnave

Goath wrote: »

I think it takes more than a "Gardener" to get rid of JK, it needs specialist treatment

No, it just takes someone who knows about plants, plant physiology and life cycles. Just as important, it needs someone who is consistent and methodical in approach.

The person who reads stories in the Daily Wail about it, thinking that's all there is to know, probably doesn't fit the profile very well.

Smodlet

Pretty sure a flame thrower would be ineffective against JK. It is the roots which are the problem.

Cakeguts

This house is not suitable for someone who is a first time buyer. It is really going to need a builder who can replace the roof without having to live in it at the same time.

Find another property which doesn't need to have £1000s spent on it.

Arsenal2019

UPDATE ***.
We have found out it is 100% JK, it isnt that big of an area and it has been treated 4 times and is now considered Dormant (I don't know if I've spelt that right).

But considering all the other downfalls, you'd all still say avoid ?

dunroving

Richardroberts1 wrote: »

UPDATE ***.
We have found out it is 100% JK, it isnt that big of an area and it has been treated 4 times and is now considered Dormant (I don't know if I've spelt that right).

But considering all the other downfalls, you'd all still say avoid ?

If the problem has been dealt with, wouldn't it have been removed. I may be showing my ignorance of JK, but seems it would be "gone", not "still there but dormant". (reminds me of the Monty Python sketch - "This is ex-knotweed!" "It is no more!"

But yes, I have a bad feeling about this property, especially for a FTB. Find something that won't give you instant heartache and hassle.

AnotherJoe

I bought a house that seems similar to this (minus knotweed) as my first property.

3 years later I bought a newbuild

That wasn't a coincidence

Davesnave

Richardroberts1 wrote: »

UPDATE ***.
We have found out it is 100% JK, it isnt that big of an area and it has been treated 4 times and is now considered Dormant (I don't know if I've spelt that right).

But considering all the other downfalls, you'd all still say avoid ?

Any knotweed is still pretty dormant in March. If stem tips had ventured above the surface, they'd have been knocked back quick-sharp by the recent cold snap. If your surveyor saw it, then the old dead stems would have been what gave the game away.

Where did this info about 'dormancy' come from? If the plant remains are still identifiable from the next door garden, it doesn't sound as if it's gone off to join the choir invisible just yet!

However, what's most important with any eradication programme is to see the insurance-backed guarantee that's provided by the company carrying it out, because that's probably what a lender would require.

It sounds as if you found a good surveyor, so in your shoes I'd listen to their other concerns about the roof and the structural issues, because those are potentially expensive to solve and maybe not what FTBs with limited funds should be getting into, no matter how much 'love' they feel for the property. I'm an OAP and I've never loved a property yet, although having spent six figures tarting this one up, I feel obliged to like it a little! :rotfl:

SG27

Hmm, Japenese knotweed would put me off a bit. The other issues not so much, old houses constantly move to an extent so possibly not even an issue there. Or could be something like wall ties etc. Maybe try your luck knocking some momey off to fix the issues if your ok with the JK. Dont get the vendor to fix anything though. They would just bodge it.