Chimney breast removal many years ago

croag · 24 September 2020 at 12:04PM

Hi all

Hope this is the right place to ask. Would really appreciate some help.

I'm currently in the process of buying a property, had a home buyers survey mentioning chimney breast had been removed from ground & first floor but remains in loft and support couldn't be determined as it wasn't a full structural (my mistake). I asked sellers to have a look for me as the seller is a builder himself at a quite reputable company. He didn't do the work, it was done well over 15 years ago, and looking on previous 3 Rightmove listings it's been in this state through all of these sales. No idea when it was actually removed.

I've been sent these picture of the existing arrangement. No steel structures or gallows. Been told the timber goes from from exterior wall of property to inner wall between the two bedrooms underneath - timber apparently in good condition, no rot, treated timber. End of terrace house so this is a party wall.

Obviously the answer is probably get a structural engineer in, but as I am buying this property I'm not so sure if this is the right course of action. If the work to put in a RSJ or something is more than 2,000 I'm concerned I won't be able to afford it as this is a FTB.

Moreso - do these photos cause an instant "Oh God get out" feeling for anyone. I'm less so worried about it collapsing on my head but moreso about ever trying to resell? But then I question how it has then sold on at least 3 times since it was done.

This is a little frustration as it feels like it's all my problem to deal with, even though I have no idea when this was even done and many people have bought and sold the house since, but my solicitor likely won't want to progress until this is resolved.