Buying a house, is the following an issue

[Gilmoregoals]

I am currently in the process of buying a house, it's 20 years old. I had a homebuyers report done, which was generally fine, the main issue is a leaking drainpipe. I have just been up to look at the exterior in the rain and there is a clear damp patch visible where it's leaking.
The surveyors report made no mention to damp inside.

Would you ask the vendor to fix the guttering prior to completion? I don't know if it's too petty an issue worry about (especially if it slows the sale down). Or should I just get it done as soon as possible once in?

My experience of asking for something to be fixed before purchase (leaking lead flashing on the roof) was the sellers did the cheapest, shittest job they could to get it sold and we had to pay to sort it again the same year. I would find out how much to fix and try to negotiate it off the price of the house.

@StarsOnAMat thanks, yes it was a rental so I can't imagine they will want to spend a lot.
Who do you ask for this type of job?! Gutterer (is there such a thing?)? Builder? Roofer?

At this time of year I'd actually mention it to them because it's likely to rain a lot before you complete & move in. Drainpipe damage can cause a lot more to fix later on, internally and externally. It's possible it is simply blocked and needs a ladder.

@Neighneigh yes and I am certainly worried about freezing moisture in the bricks and mortar over winter.
I will call around to get some quotes for fixing, then either renegotiate or get it sorted asap.

There's moss visible where the fitter joins the roof so it may just be blocked. Given the weather this needs sorting now but maybe be just a person up a ladder job

There's something odd going on with the guttering to the right, it seems to be sloping away from the drainpipe, which would explain the damp wall.

Thank you this is all really helpful. @Sirrah I see what you mean.

Agreed they would do a cheap job on it - I'd say you will sort it but have been quoted let's say £800 and would like £500 taken off the sale of the house- this is because it wasn't on the report ....

I've done that before - buyer thinks you are reasonable reducing the amount and is relieved to not have to faff and fix it so will probably go for it.

@mouseistrapped that's not a bad idea. I suppose it depends how much the quotes are...
I feel more conflicted now as ideally I would like it sorted asap, but don't want a bodge job done!
Maybe if I get a quote or two they will instruct one of those to complete the work, as that is half the legwork done?!

I wouldn't worry about that at all. It's only 20 years old so it won't be wrecked - Probably blocked with moss and leaves. Absolute worst case of a bit of leaking at the joints you could fix with a £5 tube of silicone.

Yes you could get quotes etc but buying a house is quite delicate process. You don't know if they are reasonable people, it could cause an argument that could cause the sale to fall through. I think it's best just to not rock the boat. They might not go for those Quotes given and use someone else for half the price, you just won't be in control of the situation as it is still their house and they can do what they like ultimately.
Personally I'd get some money off and just deal with it myself and not add any things that could cause problems. It doesn't look like it's a major or structural problem but also getting a quote will give you a better idea what the actual problem is.
Just my experience (bought and sold 4 houses in last 20 years).

Looks like probably a £10 fix. If no evidence of internal issues I’d not rock the boat. If selling I would assume anyone trying to get enough off to cover the hassle of even arguing about it to be a pisstaker.

Thanks for the recent responses. I have sent pictures to a couple of guttering repair/maintenance types. Will see what they say.
I certainly don't want to rock the boat as I really like the house.
The general consensus seems to be it should be an easy fix, just want to get it done asap (and get the sale through too!).

This was fall into my trivial to fix category. It is not worth rocking the boat for this.

Its probably a blocked gutter downpipe or at the most a cracked gutter - I would class it as a minimal fix. If you do buy it - get a gutter clean asap and tell them to move the blockage in that area - see if they find anything. The see if it drys out

If it rains heavily and you are able to drive past the house you may see it over-flowing at that point. It is probably blocked.

When we had all new gutters/sofits/facias etc our old gutters were quite disgusting even though our window cleaner would clean them out every year. We now have a large bottle brush thing all the way along the new gutters to stop them being blocked again.

Strangely the house I can see up the road from me had that damp patch like your photo and it was basically where the drain pipe had disconnected from the hopper and you could see water pouring out from that joint. They knew about it but just left it for a very long time.

It will not be an expensive job to fix it.

No you don't ask the vendor to repair his house. The house is priced as it is for the place and condition its in.

That's a minor, easily fixed problem, nothing to put you off buying. Get it fixed after you move in.

Be prepared that when you move in there will always be small things that need fixing, so budget accordingly.

[quote Gilmoregoals]@StarsOnAMat thanks, yes it was a rental so I can't imagine they will want to spend a lot.
Who do you ask for this type of job?! Gutterer (is there such a thing?)? Builder? Roofer?[/quote]
When you move in, ask around (neighbours, work colleagues, Next Door website) for recommended workmen who do a good job at a fair price and turn up on time.

Some of my best contractors are one-man businesses who don't even advertise; they get all the work they need by word of mouth recommendations from happy customers. Its a two=way system; tradesmen share good customers with their pals in a different trade; so it's well worth cultivating your own reputation as a good person to work for.

Ideally I'd get a roofer, they are best placed to know.... That said my husband is a handyman and does these jobs too.