Right to buy maisonette-home survey

vic_sf49

There are two main sorts of survey. One a valuation survey, which may have been done here by the council, or is usually done when needing a mortgage. 

And a survey to look for issues with the property. Whether you need that, is up to you. Would someone new to the property, uncover any issues you don't already know about?

And if they did, can you even haggle the price on a RTB? So really, it'd be a "yes I'm still buying it, or I'm running away" situation, depending on the results. But also, for a few hundred quid, may be worth it for the peace of mind, so go with whatever makes you the most comfortable. 

Just double checking ref the entension... the bit you want to extend, would be onto your garden area I hope?

gwynlas

It is probably not worth having a level 3 survey if you are part of a block as the surveyor would not have access to many parts of the building.
Are the upper maisonettes still social housing or private?
Given major works undertaken recently you should be okay with a valuation survey.
Please check with your neighbour regarding their receiving permission for extension

babybear1989

My neighbour above is social housing and the 2 next to me own their homes. Directly next to me is the person with the extension and my extension I was hoping would run alongside hers and it would run into our garden we all have separate gardens fenced off 

I don’t know if they would discover anything we don’t already know about the property just wanted to be prepared if there was anything I wasn’t aware of that I needed to know but I mean it’s a good point that I wouldn’t try to haggle down the price further if I wanted that anyway as a result of a survey I would need a to request a district valuer through the council and then they can review it but I was thinking before accepting I could put the report to them and anything major they could rectify before I accept to buy 

babybear1989

Would I need permission from my neighbour if it’s extending into my garden and which ones or all of them?

lincroft1710

babybear1989 said:

Would I need permission from my neighbour if it’s extending into my garden and which ones or all of them?

You may need a Party Wall Agreement, especially if you are joining any part of your extension to their property. You may also require permission from the freeholder (the council), planning permission and most definitely Building Regulations Approval. I am assuming that the extension would not trespass on to land assigned to other maisonettes.

MEM62

@babybear1989 A survey give you peace of mind.  Whether you have one done is your decision based on whether you want that assurety.  For me (assuming leasehold) the bigger issue would be maintenance charges if the local council is the landlord.  These can be extortionate where local authorities are involved.     

babybear1989

The extension wouldn’t be on their land just in our garden I need to get the blueprints of what would be mine I’m guessing this will be provided when we purchase the property I’m unsure 

they have explained the yearly fees for the leasehold which is under 1500 for the year 

MEM62

babybear1989 said:

they have explained the yearly fees for the leasehold which is under 1500 for the year 

Until they decide that the building needs work done to it and you end up with an additional bill for £000's. This is a known risk with ex-Council lease properties.  .