We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide
Survey or not?
todorare
Posts: 8 Forumite
Hi,
I recently decided to buy a flat and I am wondering if I should conduct a survey or not...
The thing is that I am not really sure if it is necessary, since I will have the leasehold and I won't be responsible for a lot of stuff.
I was told that I will get a number of certificates regarding the boiler, pipes renovation etc.
So the question is, should I do a flat survey, a building survey or none of the above.
Thanks,
Teo
I recently decided to buy a flat and I am wondering if I should conduct a survey or not...
The thing is that I am not really sure if it is necessary, since I will have the leasehold and I won't be responsible for a lot of stuff.
I was told that I will get a number of certificates regarding the boiler, pipes renovation etc.
So the question is, should I do a flat survey, a building survey or none of the above.
Thanks,
Teo
0
Comments
-
So biggest expense of your life and you're willing to take a chance?0
-
Basically I am not sure what a survey concerns and if there are different types of surveys...
And if it's necessary, since we are talking about a flat and not a house.0 -
Basically I am not sure what a survey concerns and if there are different types of surveys...
And if it's necessary, since we are talking about a flat and not a house.
Might be worth researching/understanding before you sign anything then.I was born too late, into a world that doesn't care
Oh I wish I was a punk rocker with flowers in my hair0 -
Well I did, but then someone advised me that because the property is a flat it is not really necessary since I get a number of certificates.
So I don't know if a survey can reveal additional information.
That's why I 'm asking here in the end...0 -
You're still responsible for an awful lot as a leaseholder! It's not like renting a flat. I definitely wouldn't buy without a survey.
Basically, there are 3 types.
1. Valuation - won't tell you much, just whether it's being sold at the right price. Some don't even go in the property, others will list a few obvious things wrong with it.
2. Homebuyer's report - fairly extensive
3. Full structural survey - intense! They're usually there for several hours, checking everything.
They vary in price from the low hundreds to over £100. Can organise through mortgage or instruct an independent surveyor.
As asked above - age of property? If it's brand new, that changes things.
Jx2024 wins: *must start comping again!*0 -
The property is an estate flat build around the 1960s.
My thoughts are based on the fact that the survey just deals with parts of the flat or building that are visible to the surveyor and since it is not possible to check the pipes or electricity installation I don't really see the purpose, since everything looks in perfect condition.
If I do it in the end, which type should I prefer? Maybe the homebuyer's survey one?0 -
I'd go for homebuyers. They will look at electrics, etc - and if they look old or in need of work, they'll recommend you get an electrician. They'll take meter readings for damp, and recommend a timber and damp specialist takes a look if the readings are high. Same for woodworm, etc.
You'll never get a perfect survey so don't expect it to come back saying 'nothing wrong, all in perfect condition'!
Jx2024 wins: *must start comping again!*0 -
You have a point in asking whether a survey is worth doing and if so which catagory. But your 'Flat not a house' arguement is wrong.
You get a house surveyed to make sure the roof, the foundations, the walls, the damp proofing, the intrical strength, the 'structure' is safe, sound and in good condition.
A flat has all those componants too! And in one way or another, via your lease, you will be paying for any repairs/maintenance costs to those componants. True, the cost will be shared with other leaseholders (flat owners) but it will come to you via annual service charges, one-off fees, etc.
Having said that, a house or flat built in the 1960s will have been built to 1960s Building Regs standards. Teething problems will have become obvious and been ironed out. It will be apparant to anyone with common sense whether the walls have cracks and the roof tiles are missing.
But without a survey, if something does go wrong later, you'll have no come-back. So it's a choice.0 -
I own a leasehold flat and when i bought I just went for the valuation. Dont regret that in any way.
I only own the inside and the external walls, guttering, chimney, roof etc. are maintained by the leasee so any probs they come out and fix.
only prob ive had is a broken gutter which they fixed.Squish0 -
I'm in the process of buying a leasehold flat in a 5 storey building of approx 50 flats. I spoke to a number of surveyors and asked their opinion on which survey would be most appropriate for the flat I was purchasing. A few recommended a full building survey due to the age of the building (built 1880's) and the rest said that a home buyers report would be suitable particularly as they would not be able to fully access and inspect the whole of the building or the roof space. I chose to have the home buyers report done and was pleased with the depth of information it provided and it gave me some peace of mind that I'm making a sound purchase.
I would definitely have a survey done, as Gwhiz said this is one of the biggest expenses of your life.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 354.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 455.4K Spending & Discounts
- 247.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 604K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 178.4K Life & Family
- 261.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards