First time buyer home survey

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tomato__ said:

propertyrental said:

Knocking on the neighbours' doors can be enlightening.

OK, yes they might tell you to 'F Off' but that in itself tells you a lot.

Or they might invite you in for a coffee/chat and tell you the real facts about how the building is managed, what the area is like etc etc.

Or something in between those extremes. It's all helpful info.......

It would take me some courage to knock on their doors, but it's a good idea!

It would but if you buy the lease and then need to get work done, you're going to have to speak to them then, better to find out now if they're likely to be cooperative!

I suspect one or two might say they can't afford the work, or they will disagree that anything needs doing. This is a problem when maintenance is delegated by the freeholder (who is legally responsible unless there's some other formal arrangement in place).

If you buy the lease (you are buying a lease, not a property) will you have the spare cash to pay towards the works?

If regular maintenance isn't being done you may find yourself saddled with a bigger bill than you expect, and if you end up in disputes with the neighbours over the works you may then find it difficult to sell the lease on.

Tread very carefully!!

RAS

Your solicitor should have already applied for a copy of the lease and freehold from the Land Registry. These cost £7 each so you need to ask the solicitor to share them with you. Obviously your solicitor should be advising you whether they are competently written and what you responsibilities and rights are but there are basic issues that you can check yourself.

This is a small studio. What size are the other flats? Will you have a smaller flat than others but be expected to pay 25% of any repairs? Do all four freeholders have to agree any costs, or is it a majority vote? What are you allowed to do to your own flat (and you fellow lessees to their flats) without freeholder permission?

You are going to be actively managing the maintenance and repairs of an older building with three other households. It is essential that even if you aren't going to be best mates, you get along well enough to work together. So you need to meet these people sooner rather than later.

I'd not be worried so much about the roof per se, but the lack of maintenance of the valley and flashings and the extent of the blown render suggest that the current team haven't been keeping on top of required maintenance? I'd want to ask them what has been done already and what is planned. It might mean some early costs but sorting them out promptly will cost less than leaving them. Or it may be that one of the existing freeholders is hindering action?

If you do buy, you need to make regular savings to cover future costs.

And fresh paint means nothing. You can scrub the make-up off at the end of a night out. It could be hiding penetrating damp, poor ventilation or botched repairs. Or a perfectly sound structure.