Homebuyer Report Red Flags

kzrn

Today I got my Homebuyer Report back and as an FTB I am quite concerned. The section that was flagged red was E4. Main Walls. It basically states that some deterioration has occured and brickwork will be in need of replacing, minor repairs to ground floor bathroom stone sill window, some repointing work, and finally, it has mentioned 'adverse readings' from the damp meter in the ground floor bathroom area and the lounge meter cupboard and that the surveyors would recommend getting a damp and timber survey done.

Would it be advisable for me to bring this up with the estate agents/seller to have fixed/ get the survey done?

Also, seller doesn't have any gas/electrical safety check certificates (and I am aware that they are not legally required to provide me with one), would it be okay to request for it anyway or should I get it done independently?

Finally, the report mentions that there is no water coming through the ground floor bath taps - something I wasn't aware of... should I bring this up with the estate agents/seller and ask for it to be fixed as well?

OR should I get quotations from specialists for everything listed as a '3' and ask for the price to be reduced? Hmmmm, although, the vendor did accept my offer that was 5k below the asking price and the valuation matches the purchase price.

I'm doing this by myself through a broker and I just don't know where to begin with tackling the issues mentioned on the report. It's just that I didn't think I would have to go further than solicitors and homebuyers survey in terms of costs but perhaps I was being naive?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Many thanks in advance :beer:

bris

The valuation take all this into consideration. A home buyers report is really just a valuation of what the property is worth in it's current condition.


The same property in good condition would be worth more, ask the surveyor who did the report to tell you what it would be worth if it was in good condition to see where you really stand price wise.

AnotherJoe

Go and have a look yourself. Look at the bricks. Do they look bad? Take binoculars with you. Is it 3 bricks or 300? Check the taps yourself.

I recall someone here posted the surveyor said no water from taps turned out they were lever ones that you didnt raise up and down but side to side and so it was a ridiculous error, i suspect this is similar. If its not it would raise a big red flag to me that the bathroom isnt useable and the sellers havent fixed that so what else isnt working?

Get gas and electrical safety checks done if you want at your own expense, since no normal householder would have such things either, its not a red flag. I can tell you now they will say the electric isnt up to current standards because nothing except a newbuild is. When was the boiler last serviced?

FreeBear

kzrn wrote: »

and finally, it has mentioned 'adverse readings' from the damp meter in the ground floor bathroom area and the lounge meter cupboard and that the surveyors would recommend getting a damp and timber survey done.

To be honest, I would expect a bit of damp in a bathroom. The meter cupboard would probably benefit from a bit of ventilation to fix any "damp issues".

If the surveyor was using one of those damp meters with prongs on, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he got varying readings around the house. The only thing they are good for is checking moisture levels in timber. On plaster and any other surface, even simple things like the type of plaster or paint can affect the readings.

What ever you do, do NOT get one of these "free" surveys - They are just a sales pitch for some very expensive and unnecessary "remedial" work.

Rambosmum

Our homebuyers survey came back saying the loft conversion windows didn't open and he thought this was due to insufficient supports in the roof warping the frames. Total rubbish, he just hadn't opened them correctly!


Take a look at the brick work. We had the front repointed at a cost of £450 and a few repairs to bricks at the rear for £180, including an area of repointing. Unless you need loads of bricks replacing I wouldn't worry.


The damp is unlikely to be an issue unless you could small and see it when you viewed.

G_M

kzrn wrote: »

......Main Walls. It basically states that some deterioration has occured and brickwork will be in need of replacing, minor repairs to ground floor bathroom stone sill window, some repointing work
1) ring the surveyor and ask how serious, how extensive (couple of bricks or the entire wall?), and estimat to repair

2) go and look for yourself - it's mostly common sense and you now know what you're looking for

, and finally, it has mentioned 'adverse readings' from the damp meter in the ground floor bathroom area and the lounge meter cupboard and that the surveyors would recommend getting a damp and timber survey done.
3) go and look for yourself - it's mostly common sense and you now know what you're looking for:
* is there a smell of damp?
* mould?
* peeling wallpaper or paint?

4) If seriously concerned, pay (no, don't get a free [STRIKE]survey[/STRIKE] sales inspection by a damp compony) an independant damp surveyor

Would it be advisable for me to bring this up with the estate agents/seller to have fixed/ get the survey done?
5) No.
* The EA just wants the sale to go through and will say anything to reassure you
* the seller won't care about quality of any work so will do the cheapest job possible
* any survey must be done for your benefit- so arranged by you

Also, seller doesn't have any gas/electrical safety check certificates (and I am aware that they are not legally required to provide me with one), would it be okay to request for it anyway or should I get it done independently?
6) you can ask. But most sellers will say no! Arrange your own inspections if you want them done. Bear in mind most reports will come back "not to current standards". As the standards change frequently, very few properties are to 'current standards', but they are still perfectly safe.

Finally, the report mentions that there is no water coming through the ground floor bath taps - something I wasn't aware of... should I bring this up with the estate agents/seller and ask for it to be fixed as well?
7) go and check yourself. If true, ask why. If no sensible reply, send a plumber round.

OR should I get quotations from specialists for everything listed as a '3' and ask for the price to be reduced?
8) Yes get inspections/quotes if you wish, but you can only renegotiate price if
* the issues are confirmed (as yet nothing shown wrong with electrics)
* the issues could not have been obviously seen when you offered (eg poor brickwork - you must have noticed the bricks/walls did not look 'pristine')
* the costs are significant eg £50 for a plumber to turn on a stopcock that was off or jammed is insignificant.

Hmmmm, although, the vendor did accept my offer that was 5k below the asking price and the valuation matches the purchase price.
9) exactly. The valuation takes into acount the general condition, so price can only sensibly be renegotiated if something else, significant, comes to light

I'm doing this by myself through a broker and I just don't know where to begin with tackling the issues mentioned on the report. It's just that I didn't think I would have to go further than solicitors and homebuyers survey in terms of costs but perhaps I was being naive?
10) Yes. You are becoming a home-owner. You will always now have maintenance jobs to arrange and pay for! Some will be needed fairly soon after you buy, some will arise in 12 months, and 24.......

Don't panic.

Yes, you need some contingency money aside for repairs/maintenance, but that was true as soon as you decided to become a home-owner.


The repost just helps you identify what might need doing.