Seller declared walls knocked down were non-load bearing... should I drop this? (no pun intended)

Herzlos

justpassingthrough24 said:
Having done a bit of research, some of these walls could have been load-bearing. For example there is a wall directly above one of the knocked down walls. Of course I know there is no way of knowing definitively unless I bring in a structural engineer but unfortunately I don't have spare funds for this.

That almost certainly was load bearing. All the weight from that wall has to go *somewhere*. Normally you'd replace it with an RSJ but if he didn't think it was loading bearing would he have done so? Or done so correctly? I'd also assume you'd see it even if it was boxed in because it'd be a lot of work to make it flush with the ceiling. 

If you really want the house I'd ask him for proof it wasn't load bearing, which would be more than just a statement from him and his builder. And get a structural engineer to assess it, then get a quote from a builder to either replace the walls or fit RSJs and factor that into your quote.

Otherwise I'd walk away and find something less cowboy. I dread to think what other nightmares haven't been uncovered.

justpassingthrough24

Bookworm105 said:

justpassingthrough24 said:

Bookworm105 said:

you are asking strangers on the internet to hold your hand about something you admit yourself you have no evidence to substantiate your assumption and no willingness to spend money to get a consultant in who could.

find a different house to buy...

I must be missing the concept of a public forum where people come to ask for informal advice that could help with direction when things feel a little overwhelming, but many thanks for your super helpful comment.

you are missing the concept of a public forum where we are not psychics and cannot see what your house comprises so as to make useful and reliable comments
we can however tell you what you apparently don't want to hear:
- employ a professional who can
or
- go buy somewhere else

Jheez, where am I asking for a psychic reading or a definite answer!? I very clearly pointed out I wanted to see if I was being over the top by pursuing this and somehow you assume I am being told "what I don't want to hear", I'm very willing to hear it and I very much understand the general consensus that is being given here. Do you just sit on this forum to post condescending comments like this? Does it make you feel better? Buying a house is stressful as a FTB and I've found this forum particularly helpful for advice and general discussions, not crystal ball readings. Really don't understand comments like this where a forum is literally there for people to post discussions and ask for advice. Hope all is good in your life.

Grumpy_chap

If I were the OP, I'd buy somewhere else.  If the vendor was willing to cut corners on a big job taking three internal dividing walls out, what other skeletons are there left in the cupboards?

justpassingthrough24

Thank you to everyone that's posted helpful replies as it's confirmed I haven't been overkill by pursuing this. I really wasn't sure how to proceed as my surveyor stated there is "no current structural damage" on their report and yet couldn't confirm if he felt the walls removed were load-bearing or not. I'll go back to my solicitor and look into bringing in a structural engineer, else I'll walk away. Thanks again

EssexHebridean

Personally I’d be walking away unless it was absolutely the house of my dreams, and even then I would be thinking about walking away, as tough as that might be. Allowing that there is a serious question over whether you will proceed or not, you need think about how much more money you are willing to throw at it. 

justpassingthrough24

EssexHebridean said:

Personally I’d be walking away unless it was absolutely the house of my dreams, and even then I would be thinking about walking away, as tough as that might be. Allowing that there is a serious question over whether you will proceed or not, you need think about how much more money you are willing to throw at it. 

It isn't the absolute house of my dreams if I'm honest although it ticks a lot of boxes. I would walk away if needed but it would be with a heavy heart. It's taken up so much time and money already in survey and solicitor fees (not to mention the stress ). I'm also mindful of the stamp duty changes in March for FTBs and would need to work out whether the costs would actually end up being similar, providing it's not 10s of thousands to repair any structural damage which I'm fully aware it could be.

EssexHebridean

It’s a tough one - would be a big enough call for anyone but as a FTB it must be a bit of a nightmare.  I suspect the big issue is that you are going to struggle to find out what the cost of repair might be, and will you actually have those funds available? 

Bookworm105

justpassingthrough24 said:

r and look into bringing in a structural engineer, else I'll walk away. Thanks again

those are your ONLY two definitive options, which you already knew.

Section62

Herzlos said:

justpassingthrough24 said:
Having done a bit of research, some of these walls could have been load-bearing. For example there is a wall directly above one of the knocked down walls. Of course I know there is no way of knowing definitively unless I bring in a structural engineer but unfortunately I don't have spare funds for this.

That almost certainly was load bearing. All the weight from that wall has to go *somewhere*....

Possibly.

The 'somewhere' could be double or treble thickness joists. It could just be coincidence there was a ground floor wall immediately below the one on the first floor.

justpassingthrough24

EssexHebridean said:

It’s a tough one - would be a big enough call for anyone but as a FTB it must be a bit of a nightmare.  I suspect the big issue is that you are going to struggle to find out what the cost of repair might be, and will you actually have those funds available? 

It would cost roughly an extra £10k to buy a property of the same price in April 
Also mindful of the mortgage rates potentially creeping up and I'm currently locked into a great deal.
Feel so overwhelmed by all the information and decision making at this point. Hoping the seller agrees to a SE as I know sometimes they can be a bit funny about it. If not, I will just walk away.