Problem with house we've just moved in to - any avenues?

GreyKnight1811

Guys, sorry I'm still frustrating over this surveyor's report not picking up on the condition of the flat roof.
I've read through the T&C's of the survey and there's a paragraph that states:-

"Inspection will exclude the outer surfaces of the roof if they cannot be readily seen. Similarly inaccessible flat roofs over 3m (10 feet) above ground will not be inspected".

However our flat roof is very easy to see AND access from the upstairs bedroom window, you can see the whole roof and you can just step out onto it if you open both windows (I've done this many times of the past few days I can tell you) and it's not over 3m above ground. No ladders are needed or anything.

I've been up today and found a section of the roof basically stuck down with polymer mastic, that's where its leaking, but at the same time I've been told that it's just not built correctly.

I'm seriously thinking of going after the surveyor over this. I can't believe that these people can charge money to give a service that doesn't highlight the very types of issues that you wanted inspected!

G_M

"Inspection will exclude the outer surfaces of the roof if they cannot be readily seen. Similarly inaccessible flat roofs over 3m (10 feet) above ground will not be inspected".

It sounds like this clause would not apply in your case then.

at the same time I've been told that it's just not built correctly.

You need to pin this down, whether to take action against the surveyor, or simply so you know what needs rectifying for your own benefit. In what way was it "not built correctly."? How should it have been built?

As suggested earlier, you may have a case against to surveyor, but you will need to pay for a 2nd survey to back up any claim.

Smodlet

Typical surveyors: Largely useless with damp issues and, the more you pay them for a more detailed report, the more useless they are and the more they rip you off, IMHO. Give me a builder (or a roofer) any time; you can pay them to accompany you on a viewing: The better your relationship with them, the lower their fees tend to be, understandably.

I am very sorry for your predicament, OP and hope you can find a way to resolve it very soon at minimum cost to yourself but, as someone who once did a bit of temp work for a surveyor, I can tell you the majority of the reports I typed consisted of @r$3-covering BS.