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Level 2 Survey results
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Antman27
Posts: 40 Forumite
Hello all. I'm buying for the first time so unsure how to interpret the HomeBuyer's Report. The report lists 3 elements that require urgent attention. I read on this forum that these are fairly standard observations for a used property (this is 58 years old) but want to check if I should get further tests done (for i and ii below) before exchanging contracts. The report also recommends that my legal adviser check the certificates for electricity/gas - not sure if this will provide sufficient comfort.
The vendors have been living here for over 25 years, so it would seem there'd be no major issues. I suppose if something major gets flagged if I do get additional surveys done, then I'd have to renegotiate the price.
(i) Electricity
The consumer unit is likely to contain older type wire fuses to protect users should there be a defect with the installation. We do not know if there is a current test certificate for the electrical installation. ... appears satisfactory with no obvious visual defects but much is hidden from view. ... This is a risk to the building and to persons. You should ask an approved electrical engineer ... to inspect and test the electrical installation and report to you before exchange of contracts as there is no current
(ii) Gas/oil
(iii) Other
The vendors have been living here for over 25 years, so it would seem there'd be no major issues. I suppose if something major gets flagged if I do get additional surveys done, then I'd have to renegotiate the price.
(i) Electricity
The consumer unit is likely to contain older type wire fuses to protect users should there be a defect with the installation. We do not know if there is a current test certificate for the electrical installation. ... appears satisfactory with no obvious visual defects but much is hidden from view. ... This is a risk to the building and to persons. You should ask an approved electrical engineer ... to inspect and test the electrical installation and report to you before exchange of contracts as there is no current
test certificate for the system.
(ii) Gas/oil
We do not know of any current test certificate for the gas installation. ... no significant defects evident. However, as much is hidden from view. Such defects are a risk to the building and to persons. You should ask an appropriate person to inspect the installation before exchange of contracts as there is no current test certificate for the system.
(iii) Other
The trees, shrubs and hedges will require careful management. Any work may involve negotiations with the neighbours. It would be prudent to check now whether any difficulties would arise should pruning etc., be necessary.
I have asked my solicitor to check with the vendor's conveyancer regarding (iii). I'm not sure if there's anything else I should be doing.
Sorry for the long post. Appreciate your comments. Thanks.
I have asked my solicitor to check with the vendor's conveyancer regarding (iii). I'm not sure if there's anything else I should be doing.
Sorry for the long post. Appreciate your comments. Thanks.
FTB
08/08/21 - Offer made
10/08/21 - Offer accepted
11/08/21 - Halifax mortgage application made
19/08/21 - Income/credit checks complete
31/08/21 - Valuation completed by e-Surv (same as offer)
31/08/21 - Halifax mortgage offer received
03/09/21 - Level 2 survey report received
07/09/21 - Searches received
05/11/21 - Exchanged contracts
10/11/21 - Completed
08/08/21 - Offer made
10/08/21 - Offer accepted
11/08/21 - Halifax mortgage application made
19/08/21 - Income/credit checks complete
31/08/21 - Valuation completed by e-Surv (same as offer)
31/08/21 - Halifax mortgage offer received
03/09/21 - Level 2 survey report received
07/09/21 - Searches received
05/11/21 - Exchanged contracts
10/11/21 - Completed
0
Comments
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It's up to you if you want to arrange an EICR. Almost all houses will have an out of date electrical installation. Same with the Gas safety cert I believe.FTB
23/6 - Offer accepted
7/7 - Application for mortage
8/7 - Searches ordered21/7 - Mortage Offer issued30/7 - Contract pack received. Enquiries raised.
9/8 - Mortgage Deed signed and witnessed.
11/8 - Searches returned.12/8 - Survey completed. Nothing major.
23/8 - Home buyers report received.
6/9 - Enquiries response received.
15/9 - LISA deposit paid to solicitors
5/10 - Contract signed27/10- Seller pulled out at exchange15/11- Exchanged0 -
If the consumer unit (fuse board) is still using wired fuses, it is well worth replacing. Changing a wired fuse after it has blown in the dark is no fun, and modern consumer units offer a far higher degree of protection. With an old consumer unit, you may well find other parts of the electrical installation need changes made - Would be prudent to budget for a full rewire and have extra sockets & stuff installed.sacvwgolf said: It's up to you if you want to arrange an EICR. Almost all houses will have an out of date electrical installation. Same with the Gas safety cert I believe.
Her courage will change the world.
Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.0 -
100% agree with this. The property we're buying (1980s) will be having an EICR and a new consumer unit as soon as we get the keys. Better to be safe than sorryFreeBear said:
If the consumer unit (fuse board) is still using wired fuses, it is well worth replacing. Changing a wired fuse after it has blown in the dark is no fun, and modern consumer units offer a far higher degree of protection. With an old consumer unit, you may well find other parts of the electrical installation need changes made - Would be prudent to budget for a full rewire and have extra sockets & stuff installed.sacvwgolf said: It's up to you if you want to arrange an EICR. Almost all houses will have an out of date electrical installation. Same with the Gas safety cert I believe.FTB
23/6 - Offer accepted
7/7 - Application for mortage
8/7 - Searches ordered21/7 - Mortage Offer issued30/7 - Contract pack received. Enquiries raised.
9/8 - Mortgage Deed signed and witnessed.
11/8 - Searches returned.12/8 - Survey completed. Nothing major.
23/8 - Home buyers report received.
6/9 - Enquiries response received.
15/9 - LISA deposit paid to solicitors
5/10 - Contract signed27/10- Seller pulled out at exchange15/11- Exchanged0
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