Mundic

Amber59

Hello everyone could really do with some advice please.🙏 
currently buying in Cornwall an older property had a full structural survey which was not good you can see daylight through the roof!
anyway our surveyor insists on mundic test but sellers are refusing saying it is not necessary they have read our whole survey but still refusing saying test far too intrusive for property.
how do we get round this.
They want a fast sale we are cash buyers but negotiations are at a stand still.

fatbelly

Are you a cash buyer?

If they won't agree to the test ( it does mean taking a small sample from a wall) then you either walk away or assume it has mundic and price accordingly.

If you are needing a mortgage, then you need to walk away from this one

EssexHebridean

The sellers are the current owners of the property - they are quite entitled to refuse any intrusive testing to their property, I’m afraid. 

You say your surveyor insists on the test - they cannot “insist” on you doing anything - they can only advise. It maybe that the advice is purely a “belt and braces” type thing, but equally it may be that they genuinely feel you should not buy the property without proceeding on that route. Can you share the relevant wording from the survey with us to make clearer exactly what they have said? Obviously remove any identifying details. 

stuart45

When was the property built?

FreeBear

Amber59 said: anyway our surveyor insists on mundic test but sellers are refusing saying it is not necessary they have read our whole survey but still refusing saying test far too intrusive for property.
how do we get round this.
They want a fast sale we are cash buyers but negotiations are at a stand still.

A mundic test is indeed intrusive, and understandable that the vendor is refusing. The surveyor may be insisting (more likely strongly recommending) based on previous experience with properties of this type/age. Have a chat with him/her to gauge the level of concern.

Ask the vendor if they have ever had a mundic test done - If they are hesitant, that might be a red flag as to why they want a quick sale. Even more so if the price is below similar properties in the immediate area.

Amber59

Thanks all,
The property is early 1900s 
We are told the consequences of the property containing mundic are so serious that we MUST get a mundic report.Apparently the wall between the stair way and dining room is of concrete block also elements of concrete construction in the garage conversion.
The sellers deny all this saying that the wall is a stud wall 

fatbelly

Plenty of people live happily in mundic properties and have done for 100 years.

Mortgage lenders won't lend on the higher categories though.

The rating system has changed frequently which is why earlier tests are no help now.

The current system is explained here

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/housing/private-housing/cornwall-responsible-landlord-scheme/a-guide-to-mundic-block/

Grumpy_chap

Amber59 said:

Thanks all,
The property is early 1900s 
We are told the consequences of the property containing mundic are so serious that we MUST get a mundic report.Apparently the wall between the stair way and dining room is of concrete block also elements of concrete construction in the garage conversion.
The sellers deny all this saying that the wall is a stud wall 

Who is telling you that you MUST get a mundic survey done?
The surveyor can only advise.
Is this a condition being specified by the mortgage lender?

GDB2222

Amber59 said:

Thanks all,
The property is early 1900s 
We are told the consequences of the property containing mundic are so serious that we MUST get a mundic report.Apparently the wall between the stair way and dining room is of concrete block also elements of concrete construction in the garage conversion.
The sellers deny all this saying that the wall is a stud wall 

Will the sellers allow you to tap your hand against the wall in question? A block wall sounds different to stud. 

Frankly, I'd expect a qualified surveyor to be right on this. So, that implies that the sellers may simply be misleading you. And, if they'll lie about that, what else will they lie about?

Amber59

Surveyors words to me only I have never brought a place with this issue before I mean if it can affect future sale ability of your home the report is important yes to have?
Thank you all  help full to read your thoughts.

stuart45

Have a look at the prices for properties in Cornwall with Mundic issues, and you'll see how cheap they are compared to ones without them.