Hoping some conveyancers might be able to help with this one.
We recently tried to sell our house and the buyers identified a structural issue - a bowing cellar wall. Eventually they pulled out. They seemed to have an issue getting insurance although this didn't make sense for the reason described below.
We have got our own structural engineer report which has recommended various types of fix. Our own insurers (a decent household brand) have received the report, confirmed it's noted on our policy, and are happy to continue insuring us (no change to the policy or premium). Report confirms no subsidence.
We want to relist the house for sale so we are going to do one of the recommended fixes. I was hoping to get some kind of paperwork to give future buyers comfort that there's no longer an issue. However, our engineer is saying a certificate of structural adequacy is not possible for any of the fixes and building control companies are saying that building control isn't legally required, so no building control certificate can be provided either.
As a conveyancer acting for a buyer, would you advise your client not to buy the property? Assume we use a reputable company to do one of the fixes recommended by the engineer. Or would you be satisfied if there was proof (e.g. invoice showing we had paid for the works to be done)?
If it makes any difference, the fixes are 1) rebuild the wall (£30k), 2) apply steel braces (£10k) or 3) partially fill cellar with concrete (£6k). Cellar is not usable regardless of this issue - it's just a coal cellar, with reduced head room, and is pretty damp. It's a Victorian terrace and our engineer reckons the wall was incorrectly built back in 1890 rather than a problem that has emerged since.
Would really appreciate some views before we spend £££!
Thank you in advance.