House buying reports.

Kesser0447

Hello all, your guidance/advise/comments please.

I'm a first time buyer and somewhat less than "young".

I have paid for a Home Buyers survey on a property that I have made an offer on and the offer has been accepted.

The report identifies several areas of concern. (possible presence of red ash in the subfloor, possible woodworm in the roof timbers, very old fuseboard and no electrical safety certificates and no record of gas appliance maintenance).

Do I have to arrange and pay for these reports myself - I guess with the vendors EA co-operation to arrange access - the red ash is particularly problematic as I'm sure it will be invasive.

Thanks...

purplebutterfly

I'm also a young 41 year old FTB      

All surveys suggest getting the electrics tested by a professional as surveyors aren't qualified to advise on that, so it doesn't necessarily mean there is danger.  The same goes for the gas supply.   Domestic households wouldn't usually have full electrical certificates anyway, unless work had recently been done. 

 My solicitor advises, as standard, that the buyer has both gas and electrics tested prior to exchange of contracts but not everybody does.

We paid to have an EICR on the property we're buying as it is a 1920s house and we weren't sure if it might need rewiring.  

The house also has no gas installation certificates or building regs certificates for the boiler and no HETAS certificates for the woodburners.

The vendor paid for a boiler service just to set our minds at rest but otherwise I don't know if we'd have just waited until we moved in and then had it checked over. 

I can't help regarding woodworm as my surveyor tested that for us and I don't know what red ash is, I'm afraid.

I believe that, in general, any investigative work is usually paid for by the buyer.  Unless the vendor feels it is worthwhile paying for it to ensure the sale proceeds. 

I highly recommend talking to your surveyor on the phone as things often look very different written down.  My survey looks like it is describing a nightmare house but a chat with the surveyor made everything seem far less worrisome. 

Weathergirl_76

Hello. I can’t help with red ash, but my previous property had evidence of woodworm and I remember getting it treated before I moved in ( I was living at home so didn’t have to move in on completion). I remember the room in question had to be sprayed and then left for a couple of days, this was at least 20 years ago so things may have changed, but you can have timber treated to prevent it getting worse (I believe). 

As mentioned by the previous user, I would have a chat with the surveyor to find out how bad these things are, and what needs immediate attention. Good luck. 

stuart45

Red Ash in the hardcore can cause a Sulphate attack in a concrete floor, which can cost a few quid to put right.