Survey Issues

squeeblc

Good Morning


First time poster. Hi everyone


So we have moved into our home mid July. Our survey (we paid for Homebuyers survey) came up with issues of building work - repointing which was urgent and advised for second opinion before sale - which we did and the seller agreed to go halfers on the price.
The roof had issues of repointing and non urgent repairs which were listed as general repairs to be carried out once we take ownership of the property.
Anyway, we get a quote for the work, and get booked in to start Mid Sept (this was month or so ago). During the heavy rain we had we had a leak, on closer inspection of the roof - it is beyond repair - it has been cemented together and botch job to hide the seriousness. The loft is checked and we have no felt, bare tiles and daylight showing.
The surveyor was in the loft and did not pick up on this. Altho the roof may not physically be climbed onto the survey states they use a set of binoculars for closer inspection. Now from the bottom of the garden signs of this can be seen with the bare eye so at the very least he should have stated to get a roofer out to check before sale.
I have escalated a complaint at the surveyors, they have returned to us stating the survey and responses from the regional inspector. Basically saying 'it could have happened since we moved in etc' And as an offer of goodwill would like to offer us £1000.
If they believed there was nothing wrong with the report they would not have offered anything.
This isn't a case of a replacement socket or something simple. Had we known this we would certainly had second thoughts and at least negotiated the price.
Has anyone else had issues like this please? Or can anyone give advice please?
Thanks in advance

cattie

It possibly sounds as if you've bought an older house. Fully checking a roof would not be part of the remit for a Homebuyer's survey, you'd need to have a full buildings or stuctural survey for that. In the case of most surveyor's carrying out a Homebuyers, they will just have a quick glance in the loft from the top of a ladder. providing there's easy access. The roof from the street will again be given just a quick glance with the use of binoculars where needed.

Usually the Homebuyer's report will mention the advisability of getting professionals in to check things such as timbers, electric's etc. as they are not qualified in these areas so cannot advise. Personally I'd take the £1k as I feel you're quite lucky to have had an offer as many surveyor's would have suggested that you should have gone for a structural survey rather than the (often quite useless) Homebuyer's report.

Davesnave

squeeblc wrote: »

Good Morning
Anyway, we get a quote for the work, and get booked in to start Mid Sept (this was month or so ago). During the heavy rain we had we had a leak, on closer inspection of the roof - it is beyond repair - it has been cemented together and botch job to hide the seriousness. The loft is checked and we have no felt, bare tiles and daylight showing.
The surveyor was in the loft and did not pick up on this.

Odd that you got a quote for the work and the roofer didn't spot the extent of the problem either!

It's quite usual for older roofs not to have a felt under-layer, so seeing that from the loft hatch wouldn't raise a surveyor's eyebrows.

I think I'd grab the £1k with both hands and be grateful.

[Deleted User]

squeeblc wrote: »

advised for second opinion before sale - which we did

What did the 2nd opinion say?