Home Buyer Report Advice

JP077

I have just had my first home buyers report through. We expected some issues due to the nature of the house (semi detached built in 1910) but wanted advice on some specific points which are worrying me. I know by their nature these reports are conservative but wanted views on how serious/costly these are as described? Any help is much appreciated

Roof Coverings 3: There is a flat roof to the extension which the vendor says leaked a year ago resulting in stains on the indoor ceiling which have never been repainted. The vendor states it was repaired. The report states:
The flat roof is old, weathered and ponding. Damp staining to the bedroom indicates the flat roof is leaking. The rest of the roof was a 1.

Main Walls 3: The render finish has cracked in places and is uneven and bridges the damp proof course to large areas of the footprint. The mortar pointing in several places has also failed and fallen away. A few window sills have dropped slightly. The render finish bridges the damp course. Evidence of damp were noted in the kitchen particularly around the door. The side cloakroom wall is built of substandard single brick construction only.This is not considered serious or progressive and may have been caused by old settlement of the building no major
repairs are necessary at this time.

The conservatory is old, of basic construction, of poor quality and and in poor condition. . The roof is weathered and rotten. Several windows are badly weathered and rotten in places.
Condition Rating 3
Over time, double glazing seals can deteriorate allowing moisture to form between panes thus causing misting.The presence of such moisture depends upon certain atmospheric conditions which can vary from time to time.Therefore this problem cannot always be seen during a single visit.The conservatory will not meet building or modern habitation standards and may well be cold and damp at times. It should be appreciated that such structures are not constructed to the same standard and specification as the main building and will ultimately have a limited life. Repairs, when necessary, can sometimes result in extensive renewal which could be costly.

Ceilings: The property has a mixture of older type lath and plaster and plaster ceilings. These have a range of painted finishes. Several ceilings are cracked and sagging. High damp meter readings were recorded in the rear bedroom. The original lath and plaster finishes are particularly susceptible to vibration and disturbance such as that experienced when carpets are fitted or new services installed. This causes the plaster to become detached from its backing and it may well be at the end of its serviceable life. Ongoing patch repairs will be necessary.

Floors: The ground floor is mainly of suspended timber construction. The first floor is formed in timber. Where visible, floors have carpeted and bare board finishes. Floor coverings restricted close examination of the floor surfaces. Ventilation to the air space beneath the timber floor is inadequate. High damp meter readings were recorded to isolated areas and the external render bridges the damp proof course. Your legal adviser should check whether enforceable guarantees are available and transferable to a new purchaser for the damp treatment which has been done and any timber treatment that may have been carried out.
As the sub-floor ventilation is inadequate, the quality of support to the floor is suspect. The floor and other hidden areas in near proximity should be opened up and examined in more detail.
Condition Rating 3