Homebuyer survey - drains

atlasmm

Hi,

Our homebuyer level 2 survey took place this week however the surveyor noted that the inspection chamber cover in the garden was ‘stuck fast’ so he was unable to inspect the underground drainage system. 

2 questions:

1) I am not familiar with this term ‘stuck fast’, does this just mean it’s stuck?

2) is it worth paying a drain specialist to remove this prior to purchasing the property to inspect it? I am unsure to what extent a homebuyer survey would’ve inspected this had they been able to access it however I doubt it is very thorough. 

I also would’ve thought any problems with this are the responsibility of the water company in my area (or would be cover by home emergency cover anyway) so unsure whether to pay this extra expense. 

Thanks

daveyjp

Just means its stuck.  If it hasn't been lifted for many years it will need cleaning around the seal.

The job can be done as part of pre purchase plumbing, heating system and drains check which will be advised in the Homebuyers anyway.

atlasmm

But is that extra expense pre purchase really necessary when it’s cover under compulsory buildings insurance anyway?daveyjp said:

Just means its stuck.  If it hasn't been lifted for many years it will need cleaning around the seal.

The job can be done as part of pre purchase plumbing, heating system and drains check which will be advised in the Homebuyers anyway.

user1977

It's a normal English expression: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/stuck-fast.html

I wouldn't expect more than a quick look in the chamber for any obvious problems. If you wanted a fuller check (e.g. with dye to check what actually drains there and that it flows freely) then you would want a more detailed or specialist survey. But I wouldn't bother unless there was particular cause for concern.

TheJP

The surveyor would have just took a peep in the area he could see, no more than 30 seconds (that's what my buyers surveyor did). Agree with others, unless there was a big concern i wouldn't bother with further expenses.

atlasmm

Thanks that’s useful - the house is only 25 years old. 

Similarly, the surveyor was unable to identify an Electrical Installation Condition Report. Is there any benefit of having this done pre purchase? At around £130 it seems a small expense so maybe worth paying. 

Section62

atlasmm said:

But is that extra expense pre purchase really necessary when it’s cover under compulsory buildings insurance anyway?

What cover does the "compulsory buildings insurance" give in relation to manholes and drainage systems which were defective before the policy was taken out?

propertyrental

I doubt insurance would cover this. It's a failure to maintain rather than an an insurable event (like a fire or storm).

Unless you have concerns about the drains I wouldn't worry.

Electrical inspections are optional. Again, if you have concerns, then pay a sparkie to inspect., but a 25 year old house should be fine unless the owner has done dodgy DIY.. What did the consumer unit (fuse box) look like?

atlasmm

propertyrental said:

I doubt insurance would cover this. It's a failure to maintain rather than an an insurable event (like a fire or storm).

Unless you have concerns about the drains I wouldn't worry.

Electrical inspections are optional. Again, if you have concerns, then pay a sparkie to inspect., but a 25 year old house should be fine unless the owner has done dodgy DIY.. What did the consumer unit (fuse box) look like?

Thanks - the surveyor has put a photo of the fuse box on and said it looks fairly modern so should be fine. 

MultiFuelBurner

It means the surveyor turned up in his smart clothes and didn't want to lift it up

Or he forgot his drain cover lifters or failing that his large screwdriver.

Go and see it for yourself and see if it is concreted in or just a little difficult to get up.

jonnydeppiwish!

atlasmm said:

Thanks that’s useful - the house is only 25 years old. 

Similarly, the surveyor was unable to identify an Electrical Installation Condition Report. Is there any benefit of having this done pre purchase? At around £130 it seems a small expense so maybe worth paying. 

Has there been any additional work since the house was built ie an extension? If so, the electrics for anything new ‘should’ be covered by building control.

If nothing has been done, then the report will just say it’s not up to current standard. It’ll still be safe. A report May pick up a fault or may not.