Grade 3 repairs (damp), would you still consider?

[PinkyU]

After some very recent and somewhat heated conversations with DH around moving house to a better school catchment, he has relented and is willing to now look at houses (YAAY!! )

I’ve spied a lovely ex-LA house circa 1930’s, it’s under (a tentative) budget, however on reading the online home report it has two category 3 areas of concern (damp and guttering) and a possible category 3 for electrical wiring. It already needs a new kitchen, new bathroom, installation of a WC and cosmetic work.

I’m worried it’ll end up a money pit and be a headache DH will find too much. Plus we’re very inexperienced with regards to renovating or diy (more than building furniture ).

Would you risk it?

IME damp is most often leaks from roofs or plumbing, or paving built up around the walls allowing puddles to soak in above the DPC. An old house might have had alterations that block the airbricks.

Very rarely a house might be built in wet ground and there may be a lagoon under the floorboards.

Council houses were usually built to a pretty good standard, and I would be surpised if there is fault that cannot be repaired.

If you invite someone into your home that sells chemical injections, he will try to sell you chemical injections. One thing you can be sure of is that they will not repair leaks, or lower paving.

The report does mention covered chimney breasts that didn’t have adequate ventilation I wonder if that may be the issue? I’d imagine the guttering will be an element too.

chimneys need to be ventilated top and bottom, or they will generate condensation inside. In old chimneys that are sooty, this will often show as yellow or brown stains showing through the plaster.