Unexpectedly bad survey

PinkLizard21

Hello,
I am in the process of buying a Victorian property and had a full structural survey done. While I expected that due to the age there would be some issues, my surveyor has said it is a ‘horrible house that is basically a wreck’, with 33 higher level/ urgent issues identified. The thing is all of the things listed seem quite minor as stand alone issues, but the sheer number of things listed and the negatively of the surveyor has really scared me. 

Any advice would be gratefully received as I am in total shock! 

MaryNB

You'll have to post the key points before anyone can judge. I bought a Victorian property last year, report was full of reds and a few amber's but nothing that would cause the house to collapse anytime soon. Did the surveyor actually say something along those lines or is that your interpretation of their results? Despite all the reds on mine my surveyor commented at the end  something like "as expected for a house of this age and type"

I rented rooms in houses like mine before so I wasn't too shocked at how far from perfect it was. 

Gas and electric is always red because the surveyor isn't a gas engineer or electrician (a 3 could be "urgent" or "condition unknown").

Bendy_House

Almost always, these reports read 'worst case scenario'. A list of 33 high/urgent issues, coupled with their remarks, does seem pretty darned bad, tho'.

If you post the report on here, folk can comment and possibly even give you rough £allparks for the main issues. Then you can make a reasoned judgement on whether to take it further or how to modify your offer accordingly.

Basically, I really want to read a report that has 33 high/urgent issues in it

(I'm ashamed...)

AdrianC

PinkLizard21 said:

I am in the process of buying a Victorian property and had a full structural survey done.
...
my surveyor has said it is a ‘horrible house that is basically a wreck’

...

Any advice would be gratefully received as I am in total shock! 

You have paid a surveyor to give you his professional opinion.
His professional opinion appears to be "walk away!"

You want advice? Listen to the opinion you paid for.

But, yes, let's see precisely what he actually put in writing in the report. Quite often the wording can hint far more than it says.

theartfullodger

The point of a survey is to hear about the unexpected.

babyblade41

33 bad points on the survey ? snap it up sounds far better than a new build 

Bendy_House

I'd be happy to take it on - at the right price.

Mizydoscape

It really depends on what is contained in the report. Can you share some/all of it here? There are really knowledgeable people on the board who can offer advice.

Remember though, you have literally paid someone to tell you what is wrong with the house. All houses will have issues/ongoing maintenance and older ones likely to have more of those.

FaceHead

Let's hear the 33 issues then. 

A Surveyor's first concern is to get paid without getting sued. They therefore offer a worse case.  An informal discussion is often a way of getting a more balanced opinion.

If the house is worse than you thought it was, you need to be withdrawing/modifying your offer. You should have a chat with your surveyor, and post what they say, and what is in the report.  

lookstraightahead

babyblade41 said:

33 bad points on the survey ? snap it up sounds far better than a new build 

Agreed!

we have just bought an old house and we're getting everything checked out and every single checker outer (eg, electrician etc) has given us horror stories about new builds - it's because I'm apologetic when they come in 😂

steve866

Whilst most surveys look bad on paper, the reality is normally no where near as bad, however if you surveyor actually said the quote above then I would walk away, unless it is factored into the price and you are happy to do the work.

A friend of mine recently had a survey on an old house and the surveyor rang them in advance of the report saying ‘the written report will be with you in a few days, however I thought it was best to call you now in case you were about to spend money on solicitors and let you know about some major issues I found’. They walked away.