Bad survey

Housebuy12345

I had a survey done by the mortgage company and it said a structural engineer needed to asses the bulging and internal cracking. Surveyor stayed ‘The degree of movement would suggest that some stabilising works are required, if not some areas of rebuilding an so prior to legal commitment to purchase you should instruct a structural engineer to examine the walls and provide you with a report on both the cracking and lateral movement to the flank wall’.

However I don’t know how to progress. Do I spend the £400 to get a structural engineer to have a look or just abort mission because the mortgage company won’t give me a mortgage with the problems.

I’ve told the real estate agent my mortgage company and surveyor have pointed out issues with the structure. I will await their response tomorrow.

Ideas please.

AdrianC

How bad do the walls in question look to the naked eye?

Housebuy12345

https://imgur.com/a/HjoDkG3

Emotional mind is “not that bad mate” and my rational mind is “no wonder the other house sold for £25k less as it seems to have similar issues”.

What do you think?

Housebuy12345

A house that sold for £25k looks like it has the same issues. It’s had patch work done on the back of the house, just the issues surrounding the small window don’t exist.

AdrianC

Crikey. Don't mind me, but I'd rather stand a bit further away...

Housebuy12345 wrote: »

Emotional mind is “not that bad mate”

I admire your optimism.

Housebuy12345

Can you explain what will happen next?

Chickenlips

Have the lintels been checked?

Have the drains been checked?

It looks like it would be an expensive issue to fix.

If you're serious about the property, get the report and request that the buyers have it repaired. As you've indicted, you're unlikely to get a mortgage without the repairs and it would be foolish to repair a property you do not own.

You may also struggle to get insurance cover for this property.

Housebuy12345

Thanks Chickenlips.

I don’t know if I should instruct a structural engineer or just walk away?

At the moment there aren’t any houses that match my requirements.

I just don’t know how much of an issue this is.... I’ve read/been told it would be impossible to get insurance but also someone who’s bought a house recently told me they have just as bad cracks.

I guess i should ask the vendor to pay for a structural report or at least ask if they have had one?

jonnygee2

Can you explain what will happen next?

I think it's 50/50 between the house continuing to stand or just toppling down.

Oh - sorry you mean with the buying process? Well, most people would probably abort. I don't think mortgage companies would be happy with this and fixing it is going to take them some time (and a lot of money - which you'd be wise not to make your problem).

A structural engineer may want to monitor these over time - it's slightly more than just a survey and will probably cost more than £400. And it's pretty obvious the result is going to be that it needs significant work.

If the owner will not do the work pre-sale I think they need to find a cash buyer and offer a large discount.

Housebuy12345

@johnnygee there are other houses on the street that have had similar work done to the back of the house, the side looks frightening.

I’m so annoyed with myself for wasting £650!

jonnygee2

I’m so annoyed with myself for wasting £650!

If that was the cost of the first survey, it was probably the best £650 you've ever spent :-)