Damp in basement flat- vendor doesn't have info on damp proofing

[HairyPorter]

Considering a flat that is part basement. There is some damp in one wall. When I asked for details on damp proofing the vendor (who has been there 15y) said they don't know what has been done and they haven't had any serious problems with damp. From my very limited knowledge I would guess at the least we need a sump pump to keep us dry in the event of flooding. How do I find out what sort of damp proofing and if there is a sump pump there if the vendor isn't able to tell me? Is this even likely? Or could they be covering something up?

A sump pump is not for damp, it's for flooding.

Assume nothing has been done.

Walk away

Thankspigletjohn. Is it likely though? That no damp proofing was done in a basemt flat? Wouldn't it be very damp If none had been done? And please correct me if I'm wrong but we would be safer with a sump pump in place in the event of a burst pipe? The septic tank is also just in front of the basement room which concerns me...

It's v cheap though... Obviously because its part basement! The rest of the flat is lovely, but I am very afraid of getting in over my depth!

You say there is some damp on one wall? Is there an obvious external problem that could be causing this? A broken downpipe or blocked drain? I live in a Victorian terrace with a basement and we've never had any damp in it, they're not always damp riddled problems.

It's not an obvious one. It's the entrance to the ground floor flat that's above the damp patch (it runs from ceiling along to top wall). I guess there may be a pipe there but won't know till its investigated... It's nw6, and garden flats are few and far between hence the attraction of this one!