Red Flags in Building Inspection Report

podge57

Hi All,

Hope this is the right place to post this. I found a lovely Victorian house which has gone to Sale Agreed, and everything seemed rosy until I got a structural survey done. There were a number of recommendations / things that needed to be addressed:

Additional roof support and ventialtion due to condensation The slope of the roof to an extension is too shallow, and may need to be adjusted Brick pointing was done with the wrong type of mortar, and needs to be redone Rising damp which needs to be addressed

Given that the property has been very recently renovated, these things are concerning, and I'm worried that it may have been a shoddy renovation. Although I guess it is the surveyors job to point out all flaws - either actual and potential, and they are probably taking a worst-case scenario view.

However, in the final recommendations, they said it would not be risky purchase, and the faults they found were common for a property of this age. They recommended addressing these issues prior to a sale - is this common practice? Asking the vendors to get the repairs done? Or should I attempt to re-negotiate based on the findings?

Due to the age of the property, my bank also needs the report to approve the loan - is it likely that they won't because of these defects?

Thanks,

dusteeroads

All buildings new and old will have a list - guaranteed. As for those items above well I would be surprised not see them appear on a list concerning a Victorian property which if in an urban area has an inherent value even in very poor condition. I think the seller in this market would and should tell you to hop it if you try to make him fix these issues. Others will differ with me on that no doubt. But if the place ticks your boxes so to speak don't lose it over this list. I would have added - get the elecs. checked by a RECI registered electrician too by the way.

podge57

dusteeroads wrote: »

All buildings new and old will have a list - guaranteed. As for those items above well I would be surprised not see them appear on a list concerning a Victorian property which if in an urban area has an inherent value even in very poor condition. I think the seller in this market would and should tell you to hop it if you try to make him fix these issues. Others will differ with me on that no doubt. But if the place ticks your boxes so to speak don't lose it over this list. I would have added - get the elecs. checked by a RECI registered electrician too by the way.

Thanks for the reply. It definitely ticks my boxes, which is why I'm torn. Given that the property was completely renovated in the past 18 months and is being sold in "turn key condition", it is a bit worrying that they didn't damp proof it, or ventilate properly.

I'm also worried that I mightn't have an alternative to asking them to fix the issues if the bank won't approve my loan while they're outstanding

dusteeroads

Play it by ear. See what your lenders actually say. Sound out the seller about your concerns and see what they say - just don't be dogmatic about it.

podge57

dusteeroads wrote: »

Play it by ear. See what your lenders actually say. Sound out the seller about your concerns and see what they say - just don't be dogmatic about it.

Thanks, will wait to hear back from the lender. Will mention my concerns, and ask to see any documentation they have on recent structural work too

BryanF

QS would be best placed to advise on potiential costs.

Sleeper12

These are normal things for a house that age. If I were buying I would have expected them to be on the report.

If you bought a 60 year old house the report might say that you need to rewire, insulate, replumb etc. Again this would be normal for a house that age. You wouldn't be making a lower offer based on these

podge57

Sleeper12 wrote: »

These are normal things for a house that age. If I were buying I would have expected them to be on the report.

If you bought a 60 year old house the report might say that you need to rewire, insulate, replumb etc. Again this would be normal for a house that age. You wouldn't be making a lower offer based on these

Thank you, it does make sense that these appear on the report given the age. On the damp issue, it may be the case that there was some proofing done with the renovations, and there is existing damp. After reading up online, it seems like high damp readings are quite normal for these types of properties, and don't affect the livability.

My biggest concern at the minute is the roof. The pitch is only 11°, which the engineer said is much too low, unless special flashings were used. I'll look for confirmation on this, and get a quote if changes are required, as I imagine this could be quite costly.

BryanF

podge57 wrote: »

Thank you, it does make sense that these appear on the report given the age. On the damp issue, it may be the case that there was some proofing done with the renovations, and there is existing damp. After reading up online, it seems like high damp readings are quite normal for these types of properties, and don't affect the livability.
.

Livability..

Would you not go back to the surveyor for another conversation and bring a guy who could cost the problem?

.

My biggest concern at the minute is the roof. The pitch is only 11°, which the engineer said is much too low, unless special flashings were used. I'll look for confirmation on this, and get a quote if changes are required, as I imagine this could be quite costly.

Again, as above get the size and cost replacement, or at least get 3 quotes.

Calahonda52

OP:
re this
"...However, in the final recommendations, they said it would not be risky purchase,..."

Did they actually write that?