Chimney Breast

lindsey1970

Sorry to butt in, Im in a similar situation but our chimney breast was removed over 20 years ago and not by us. Our buyers want us to pay for the survey, did your buyers ask you to pay for the survey or are they just paying for it? They say its £450 and then £250 for the report plus vat?

zoemk12

Sorry to butt in, Im in a similar situation but our chimney breast was removed over 20 years ago and not by us. Our buyers want us to pay for the survey, did your buyers ask you to pay for the survey or are they just paying for it? They say its £450 and then £250 for the report plus vat?

No our buyers have said they will pay for the survey. We would be happy to pay for any structural work that might be need less but if they want to start making holes they really need to pay for this. 

I’m not the right person to advice you but surely if they want the survey they should pay? 

jimbog

lindsey1970 said:

Sorry to butt in, Im in a similar situation but our chimney breast was removed over 20 years ago and not by us. Our buyers want us to pay for the survey, did your buyers ask you to pay for the survey or are they just paying for it? They say its £450 and then £250 for the report plus vat?

I really hope you've said 'no'

gettingtheresometime

When the breast was removed, did you have any calculation prepared to show what beam should be used and any documentation to show what beam was used?

zoemk12

When the breast was removed, did you have any calculation prepared to show what beam should be used and any documentation to show what beam was used?

Was removed well before our time. At least 18 years ago and we have no paperwork. 

jimbog

Over the years when this issue has come up on this forum it was generally advised not to let an invasive checks to be made.

I wouldn't like to find myself selling a house with holes in the ceiling if they were to pull out and hadn't 'made good'

lindsey1970

jimbog said:

lindsey1970 said:

Sorry to butt in, Im in a similar situation but our chimney breast was removed over 20 years ago and not by us. Our buyers want us to pay for the survey, did your buyers ask you to pay for the survey or are they just paying for it? They say its £450 and then £250 for the report plus vat?

I really hope you've said 'no'

Havent said anything yet, our solicitor has asked to see the survey as I dont think any problems came up on it. Thing is, were quite far down the line now and nearly ready to exchange

purplebutterfly

Ask the buyer if they plan to pull out of the purchase if the report shows there is no structural support.  I know this isn't binding in law but it might give you some idea of what they are thinking.

If it is a shared chimney breast, you could ask your neighbour whether they still have the lower breast intact or not.  

We are buyers in the same position as yours ie the property we are buying has a missing chimney breast in the kitchen and nobody knows when it was removed or whether there is any support.  

It's a very difficult position because there is a very definite risk to life if a chimney comes crashing down.  It's a serious issue and their surveyor will have warned them about this in the strongest terms.  Just because there are no signs of issues now, doesn't mean that it isn't a problem.

Our vendor didn't want us having holes cut in their ceilings and we decided we still wanted the house regardless of the issues.  We will have it investigated and repaired after purchase.

Try to find out what their plan is if the structural report shows work is needed.  Do they plan to pull out entirely or renegotiate on price?

  

zoemk12

Try to find out what their plan is if the structural report shows work is needed.  Do they plan to pull out entirely or renegotiate on price?

they will want us to pay for work by reducing the price. We’re actually ok with that. My BIL is a builder and he said work would be £1-1500 tops. We would rather give them that and they can check after completing. 

martindow

A chimney breast that is not properly supported is likely to come up as an issue with any prospective buyer.  In your situation I think I would reply that I agree to the survey but would require that the structural engineer sends you a copy of their report. 

If you sell to this buyer they would take on the making good and will have paid for the survey.  If they pull out of the sale you would have evidence of the situation to reassure other buyers or information that would help specify any remedial work that might be necessary.