Buying older house - advice following survey

bouicca21

Tudor asbestos? Theoretically possible but I don't think it was mined here and I doubt there are records of its use.

Davesnave

I imagine the data on possible contamination doesn't relate to the exact piece of ground the house stands on. However, people have given good examples of industries which used toxic chemicals in the past.

The land next to a bungalow I inherited was classed as 'contaminated' because of its use by the MoD, but there was certainly nothing very obvious showing that it had ever been industrisalised, as evidenced by the existence and retention of mature trees 100+ years old when it was eventually passed fit for use as building land. Further up the fields, probably 400metres or so away, were buildings and (probably) underground bunkers. Deep down, a mile away, was also a network of caves suitable for nuclear defence, but not for the likes of you and me!

Davesnave

AdrianC wrote: »

No, it isn't. Not by a long chalk. Age alone has nothing to do with whether properties are listed or not.

I used to rent a cottage built c.1580. Not listed.

I think you are in Wales? Apparently,CADW has a habit of listing stuff when it comes to the market.

I was told this by an EA while examining a pile of something that vaguely resembled a house, which I had ideas about that mainly involved a bulldozer.

At the time, I put this down to typical EA BS, as I knew someone local was interested. However, that someone purchased, and much later, I discovered the house was then listed, exactly as predicted.

AdrianC

Davesnave wrote: »

I think you are in Wales?

Not quite.

Apparently,CADW has a habit of listing stuff when it comes to the market.

That cottage was a mile off the end of Luton airport runway.

It's sold three times since, most recently last year. It still isn't listed.

Doozergirl

All English buildings built before 1700 which survive in anything like their original condition are listed.

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/what-is-designation/listed-buildings/

ShatteredDad

As has already been mentioned, homebiyers reports are a bit wishy washy.

I bought a property last year and we only had the homebuyers report which came back stating 'signs of damp' and 'potential asbestos materials'....

Upon investigating ourselves there were no signs of damp and 12 months on after purchase there are no signs of damp. Asbestos materials was just based on the fact that it was built during a time where asbestos materials were used in construction, and provided they are left undisturbed they aren't an issue.

There are in fact a load of problems with the house, all down to bad maintenance and shoddy decorating. It's basically held together by polyfilla....shame the homebuyers report didn't notice that!

Nathan80

Thanks everyone for all your replies, Yes in hindsight we should have gone for the full structural survey at the outset - the joys of finding this site after we had gone ahead with booking the homebuyers report.
Am still waiting for full quote to come through for roof works and yes we did go directly to the damp company recommended by the vendors estate agent (see total naivety). I think we had always expected some issues to come up due to the age of the property but I think it is the search results that have really caused the wobble.
We definitely have some thinking to do regarding next steps, but thanks again everyone for your helpful inputs.

TamsinC

if you are going to buy an old property join this forum [lots of us are on there I think ]https://www.periodproperty.co.uk - takes a while for newbie questions to get approved and seen but hang in there a wealth of knowledge is on there; and research breathable walls - we've just bought a 400 year old property and are in the process of getting rid of all the internal gypsum plaster and render, and in the spring will tackle the sandtex paint outside so the house can breathe. Look into lime too. It's a huge learning curve but boy is it satisfying knowing you are keeping such history alive and well.

Nathan80

Thanks for this info - I will have a look now 😀

AnotherJoe

The main issue I would have is that if it's listed, and if it needs a new roof, the requirements and the hassle to reroof using probabiy a special type of tile made from clay dug up 250 miles away, otter pelts and oak, will be horrendously costly.