Home Report Category 2's - Unsure of severity

Shuma

Hello all,

We have recently viewed a house we are interested in, but the home buyers report has a number of category 2 issues. We are in Scotland.

Neither of us have any experience with these things and so feel a bit lost as to what to make of them. Any insight from more knowledgeable members would be appreciated. The house is aruond 45 years old, are these issues common in home reports or is this something to steer clear of?

Roofing including roof space

Where seen, there is some weathering/wear and tear evident, as well as some
isolated uneven areas. There is also some localised staining evident to
timberwork within my limited roof space inspections.
Where my limited roof space inspections were possible, the insulation provision
between ceiling joists is of a mixed age/quality.
Concrete tiles are typically guaranteed for 30 years but have a reasonable life
expectancy around 50/60 years according to the BRE. Life expectancy will often
depend on weathering and damage from the prevailing weather. A roofing
contractor will be able to advise on life expectancy and repair/replacement costs.
There is some deterioration to an eaves access hatch.,
There is a small uncapped pipe opening visible within the roof area.

Rainwater fittings

There is some weathering/wear and tear evident, including some localised
vegetation growth within guttering, some staining to joints, and an isolated
detached gutter joint at the conservatory. Staining to joints can be indicative of
leakage.

Main walls
There is some localised weathering and deterioration evident to external wall
finishes.

Windows, external doors and joinery

Where seen/tested, there is some localised weathering/wear and tear evident to
window/door units, including some isolated missing/broken handles internally.
Furthermore, the timber frame velux style windows were found to be
weathered/dated.
Older style windows/doors will require a higher degree of
monitoring/maintenance.
The selling party have advised that some recent upgrading/remedial works have
taken place to external timberwork. Notwithstanding this, there are still some
sections of weathered/deteriorated timberwork, most noticeably to the rear.

Garages and permanent outbuildings

Where my limited inspection was possible, there is weathering, wear and tear,
and some deterioration/damage evident to aspects of the garage, and attached
outbuilding.
The garage/outbuilding roof appears, based on limitations, to be of a corrugated
asbestos cement or similar material. This should be fully appreciated with
specialist advice sought prior to any future remedial/removal works in this regard.

Outside areas and boundaries

There are some weathered, uneven, and localised deteriorated sections evident
to boundaries.
There are trees located closeby. Trees can cause damage to buildings and
services if not properly monitored and maintained.
There are some weathered/uneven sections of paving within garden grounds, as
well as at the side entrance step. Furthermore, there are some untidy sections
evident to garden grounds at the rear.
There is some weathering/wear and tear evident to the decking, where seen.
There is some Japanese Knotweed visible within neighbouring grounds, beyond
the rear boundary fence. I have been made aware that this ground is owned by
the local authority, and that an associated specialist treatment/eradication
programme is currently in place. If required, further information in this regard can
be confirmed legally.

Ceilings

As stated, there are some localised textured style ceiling surfaces. Older style
textured finishes can contain asbestos based or similar materials. This should be
appreciated. In this regard, there are some isolated areas of hairline distortion.
Qualified contractors can provide further advice in this regard as a precaution.
Elsewhere, there is some localised uneven plasterwork/d!cor/

Electricity

Where seen, there are some mixed aspects evident, including some isolated
untidy cabling within the roof space area, some isolated loose sockets, and a
socket not built into the wall within the sitting room. A qualified electrical
contractor can give advise on upgrading/remedial works to the electrical systems
and associated apparatus as necessary.
It is recommended that all electrical installation be checked every five years to
keep up to date with frequent changes in Safety Regulations. Further advice will
be available from a qualified NICEIC registered Contractor. I am unaware of
when the most recent electrical inspection/service was carried out.

Heating and hot water

The heating boiler/tank and various radiators are of an older style. A qualified
heating contractor should carry out a full inspection with regards to all necessary
upgrading/remedial works.
I have assumed that all heating apparatus complies with Regulation Standards. I
am unaware of when the most recent heating inspection/service was carried out.

davidmcn

The only thing there I would be investigating further is the Japanese Knotweed. Everything else just sounds like the description of a normal 45 year old property.

Shuma

Thanks for the reply! In terms of the knotweed, we asked the estate agent and it seems it behind the property, over the back fence and across a footpath.

The local authority is also apparently working on removing it.

Is there anything more we can do to determine how much of an issue the knotweed is going to be?

phill99

There is nothing wrong with the house. It is all standard maintenance issues.