Old house - what survey results would make you run?

Davesnave

Saver84 said:

lookstraightahead said:

So, structural survey results are in. The house issues (mid 18th century terraced) are:
rotting timber
heavy moss on roof
Damp downstairs - high levels, like 999 by chimney and 200 at other points
plants growing in brickwork
Defective mortar joints 
cracking to render
no mastic joint by door
no dcp
lots of spalling bricks 
timber lintel 
uneven upstairs floors 

I'm not sure what most of this means. I understand rotting decking 🤣

Should I buy this house? 

Im definitely not an expert, but if "Plants growing in brickwork" is referring to knotweed, I definitely wouldnt buy.

Why would it refer to JK? It's much more likely to refer to other plants of a less well-known type, as surveyors would recognise JK and name it. It would also be pretty unusual for a house to be marketed with JK actually growing out of it, and at this time of year, whatever you might read in the Daily Fail.

Mickey666

lookstraightahead said:

So, structural survey results are in. The house issues (mid 18th century terraced) are:
rotting timber
heavy moss on roof
Damp downstairs - high levels, like 999 by chimney and 200 at other points
plants growing in brickwork
Defective mortar joints 
cracking to render
no mastic joint by door
no dcp
lots of spalling bricks 
timber lintel 
uneven upstairs floors 

I'm not sure what most of this means. I understand rotting decking 🤣

Should I buy this house? 

I think I'd want another surveyor if this one thinks a 'timber lintel' in a C18 house is an issue.  My C16 house is full of timber lintels and seems to have somehow survived for 450-ish years . . . . perhaps because they are 6x6-inch lumps of oak?

Likewise, 'no DPC' is only to be expected in a C18 house.

"uneven upstairs floors' . . . . in a C18 property?  Really?  Give me strength !!

The only real problem with old houses is that too many people judge them by modern standards and regulations . . . which is ironic really considering that most new-build houses today will be lucky to survive 100 years, never mind 2, 3 or 400 years.

Old houses, especially listed ones, are a state of mind.  Some people have it, some people don't.  The problems begin when those who don't, try to modernise them unsympathetically - by which I mean materials-wise rather than decor - and cause more problems than they solve.  Often when there wasn't really a problem to 'solve' in the first place.

Given that the OP freely admits not understanding most of these 'issues' (including not understanding that many are NOT issues) then I would suggest the answer to their question should be 'no'.  Leave it for someone who does understand and appreciates old properties.

FreeBear

Davesnave said: Why would it refer to JK? It's much more likely to refer to other plants of a less well-known type

My money would be on Buddleia - That stuff takes root just about anywhere and is a common problem on old properties with perishing mortar joints. If left, it can do considerable damage to a wall.

Davesnave

Could also be Cymbalaria muralis, endemic in many places or a garden escape of a Campanula species, both of which are fairly harmless and pretty.

But yes, Buddleia are notorious for growing in hard to reach places, like chimney stacks.

Nebulous2

Mickey666 said:

"uneven upstairs floors' . . . . in a C18 property?  Really?  Give me strength !!

My surveyor said he believed there had been historic subsidence, because the floors were uneven - in a 280 year old building.