Should I be concerned about these house survey points? What can we do to fix them?

sowalk

Hi all,

I put my house up for sale and accepted an offer very quickly. Everything seemed to be going very well. My buyer had their survey completed. I didn't hear anything for a couple of weeks and now I have found out a number of issues arose in the survey. I have responded to each point with what I am going to do. But they  have  now pulled out, they haven't given a reason why.  I am now putting my house back on the market but  am worried in case it happens again. Here are each point...

1. The report raised concerns about various parts of the house containing asbestos, (understairs lining,soffits linings to soffits and artex ceilings) it asks if I am aware and if I have tested? 

Does a report test for asbestos or is it saying it MIGHT contain it? I was under the impression it isn't something to worry about if undisturbed (for context the house is from the 1950s). I don't recall it coming up when I bought the property 5 years ago and have therefore never tested?

2. I  have had the chimney removed from the loft and the first floor and had the boiler moved into the loft. The report states the surveyor could see daylight could be seen by the flue at the roofline and this MAY mean wind driven rain could chimney enter the roof space. 

I have not been able to see daylight. But am unsure what to do other than reline that area of the roof? The work was carried out professionally 4 years ago and I have had no problems or damp etc.

It also says it is restricted access to the boiler. I had the boiler installed professionally, there is permanent lighting, a permanent ladder, and the loft is boarded everywhere apart from the very edges. The company who installed it said that it was absolutely fine??

3. I have been asked if I have FENSA certificates for the replacement double glazing and the conservatory. It says some windows in the conservatory have melted gaskets which will lead to failure of the double glazed units in the near future. 

I haven't replaced any windows. I haven't repaired any windows. They are the original windows put in well before I ever lived there. I don't have any FENSA certificates. I have looked around the conservatory and cannot see what the surveyor means (any tips on recognising a melted gasket would be appreciated - I have been looking for fogged up windows but have none of those!) It also isn't something that is wrong now but might be a problem in the future so I am unsure what I can do?

It also says are a number of handles and locking mechanisms that require maintenance. There is a large threshold to the rear doors and it was also noted that the doors do not close home completely and small amounts of daylight can be seen when the doors are pulled to.

I haven't found any broken handles. Only 1 wobbly handle in my bathroom that I know about and will repair. As for the doors... When they are closed properly there's no daylight. So again I'm confused as to what I can do here?

4. Finally, we have a room that was originally a coal store. It was built with the house. But at some point it's purpose was changed to that of a working room. (e.g. the previous owners used it as a bedroom, I use it as a reception room/guest room as needed) it asks if there are any building regulation completion certificates for the works carried out? It states it cannot be described as a bedroom because of proximity to kitchen and living areas, therefore it can only be described as a two bedroom house.

This is really puzzling to me. As stated, it is an original part of the house. It has only been adapted for modern day use. There are no building regs that I have seen but again this is all 10+ years ago. All I have done is redecorate. I don't get why it cannot be described as a bedroom? It was described as such when I bought it 5 years ago...

Sorry this is a long post but I am concerned about some of these points and want to know if it is something I should worry about and if there's anything I can do to remedy the points before I find a new buyer.

Thank you all in advance!

Bossypants

I'm sorry your buyers pulled out, but I wouldn't worry about the survey. None of this is at all dramatic, and if your buyers pulled out without even trying to negotiate, it suggests that they were either looking for an excuse, or they have unrealistic expectations and you've probably dodged a bullet with them anyway.

Good luck with your sale!

bellaboo86

I moved last year so I know from selling my house that unless you’ve replaced any windows in the last couple of years, you don’t need FENSA certificates. 

Davesnave

These are very minor things, apart from the use of a former coal store as a habitable room, which might raise justifiable concerns if it has only a single skin wall and the insulative qualities of a sieve. Rooms like that are prone to condensation, mould etc, but they are common in older properties.

However, there is no reason why a bedroom cannot be accessed off a living area directly if it has adequate means of escape in the event of fire. No authority will be likely to enforce building regulations in that room now and you can't meet them either, so the way round that might be a cheap indemnity policy when you find the right buyer.

People are going to find asbestos in pre 1999 property; it's normal, as is having a boiler installed in a loft, rather than a bedroom.

As Bossy says, many  first time buyers have unrealistic expectations and others can't interpret a survey, so yours may have been scared off, but they might also have found something else. You'll never know and it doesn't matter; if the house is priced fairly it'll sell. Rather a 50s house built to Parker Morris standards or similar than a tiny modern box made of ticky-tacky.

Doozergirl

bellaboo86 said:

I moved last year so I know from selling my house that unless you’ve replaced any windows in the last couple of years, you don’t need FENSA certificates. 

It's for replacement windows installed after 2002.  

Ofher than that, I agree with Bossypants and Davesnave;  you found yourself a particularly jittery buyer.  They're going to find most surveys petrifying and end up buying a new build.  That doesn't guarantee them a perfect house either, but meh.  

Good luck with the next buyers!