help me ask the right questions!

[secondtimebuyer]

Hi all,

We are currently buying our second home and we want to be as thorough as possible.

The issues we have noted so far:

• on our second viewing my DF pointed out that the garage had asbestos but this was not disclosed until pointed out and agreed? Should I ask anything else to do with this?

• Searches put us in a chance of flooding area, we are near the coast so i'm assuming that's why and seems to be the reason ("coastal flooding") but should I ask anything more on this such as 'has it ever flooded in your 7 years of residence?'

• Scared about knotweed- can I ask if they or the neighbouring properties have it? (even though they fill out TA6 form this is specific to THEIR property)

-potential risk of land subsistence - any questions to ask on this?

• they extended the back of the house into the garden as the neighbour has also done. However, we want to ask if anything has been objected by the neighbour as we would potentially extend above the kitchen (providing support foundations are ok) is this a 'right of light' issue? Is there something to ask if the neighbour has previously said no?

Asbestos - Generally the advice is do nothing. If left undisturbed there will be no harm.

Flooding - Perhaps ask if they have any knowledge of flooding taking place prior to their ownership.

Japanese knowtwed - may not entirely deserve its reputation: www.leeds.ac.uk/news/article/4355/leeds_research_on_japanese_knotweed_to_drive_parliament_debate

I think you mean subsidence - Is there a particular reason to think the area where this house is suffers from subsidence?

Extension - Check the planning history on the local authority website to see if any planning applications have been rejected. Have any other properties nearby built similar extensions?

Thanks @Mildura

The reason we are so concerned about knotweed is that we bought a newbuild (so no TA6) and found out the neighbouring (attached) property has it. It is not good!

The subsidence issue is something was highlighted in the searches that it could be at risk due to the area/coastal lines. What should I do with this?

Their TA6 form highlights no issues noted.

Are you having a survey done on the property as this would list areas to be looked at? All you can do with knotweed is take their word for it and check the area yourselves and look at the surrounding area if you can. If the extension has planning permission and been passed by building regs you shouldnt need to worry about anything.

Send all this in an email to your sol. Chances are she'll hVe asked them already. If not, she will do so.

Remember, you can only rely on correspondence between Solicitors. Not between seller-agent-you.