Visible woodworm after full survey

plopindale89

Hi
 We moved into a property 6/7weeks ago. We had a full survey done prior to purchase with the usual caviats from the surveyor that they were unable to see under floorboards etc etc. He did look in the loft too.
Nothing came up about pest control issues or woodworm. 
We have moved in and found visible patches of woodworm on doors internal doors and signs of mice poison traps in the loft clearly visible when you just pop your head up into the hatch. We then lifted carpets and floorboards for radiator fitting and found significant woodworm issues in floorboards and some joists. We are awaiting to find out if this is old or new woodworm and had our own pest control to survey possible mice in the loft.
The fact these two issues were visible at the survey and un noticed do i have any legal stance i can take on the surveyor because upon being told of these i potentially would have thought twice about purchasing or at the very least asked the vendor more details and reduced the offer.
Appreciate any advice on what if any action i can take.
 Thanks, Rachel

user1977

I'd expect a surveyor to mention both things, but there's a big difference between a property which used to have woodworm/mice, and one which has a current infestation - I wouldn't expect a claim in relation to the former.

TBG01

Presumably you inspected the property one last time before exchanging contracts? If so did you not pick up on the visible woodworm?

The survey is also a report on the state of the property on that date only.

People like to think otherwise and look to blame, but it's not a guarantee that there won't be issues with the property going forward. 

elsien

Were there any visible signs when you looked around the house because generally speaking the surveyor will have looked the same thing you did - They won’t have been lifting carpets, et cetera.

There is always usually some sort of caveat if they did spot old woodworm signs about having further more specialist checks done. 

It’s likely to come  down to the wording and what they could be realistically expected to see on a visual inspection. 

plopindale89

Thanks for your replies. We did inspect the property twice however i will be honest i was closer looking for damp patches and cracks etc that i did not notice the two small patches of woodworm, naively i wouldexpect a surveyor looking gor sll these to though. The loft we could not inspect upon viewing but the surveyor documented they did inspect and never mentioned seeing trays of old poison and mouse dropping. We have had pest control in and they have said both dont look to be new infestations and due to gestation of woodworm likely to have been there at point of survey. We are awaiting domebody to fully assess the floorboard woodworm we have subsequently found.
The seller was very honest and thorough with all other aspects of the property. Do you think it would be ok to reach out to the esatate agent to see if they could ask the seller if they have had the woodworm treated previous just so i can perhaps get clarity and understanding on any work already done. I am aware they are completely not obliged to have to tell me this after purchase.

youth_leader

Was it a RICS Level 3 survey? My buyer's surveyor mentioned woodworm, I was able to reassure the EA it had been treated.

plopindale89

Yes it was level 3 and it clearly states in the survey no signs of woodworm or rot from visible timber or doors/frames inspected etc. Now i understand you cant lift floorboards but if inspected and comments they didnt see it on doors and frames i am suprised to have found visible signs. If i had know i would have got my lawyer to ask more questions.

youth_leader

I'm sorry, it is odd he didn't mention it. I hope none of it is live.  

My 1847 house had historical woodworm, the buyer's mortgage company valued the house at £0 until a damp/timber survey was carried out.

Good luck.

Grizebeck

It easy to treat. We did this house ourselves. Power sprayer from amazon. The right liquid and away we went.. dressed up like something out of resident evil 

plopindale89

Thanks everyone. I am glad we found it now and not after fully decorating and all new flooring and carpets down ourselves. I have dealt with damp before but never woodworm and it scared me as you here stories of ripping up all wood and replacing and with having structural beams too. It is a bit frustrating getting all these surveys done and essentially they are not much use and you are still none the wiser until after purchase but i feel like this could have potentially been spotted by surveyors and i now also know what to look for if i ever move again.
  

dinosaur66

surveys in england are expensive and basically backside saving cover notes / i saw one old surveyor who a buyer sent round to a property i was selling put his head a few inches into the loft hatch  spent less than 10 secs looking at a few rafters and insulation and then came down and the buyer/bank whoever commisioned him are relying on this report .

get an expierenced builder mate to come with you on a second viewing and give him checklist ie

roof/loft /windows/chimney /flashing/etc etc /

in scotland complete opposite -as a buyer you get a home report ( scottish survey )with no hedging there bets by the survey for free showing you every aspect of the house/property and an easy grading system on starting with roof /brick masonary condition and ending with garden fences

1 -means spot on all good

2 -needs maintence and will need work doing in in near future

3- its a money pit