Old structural question on House survey

[1newdawn]

My buyers have just had their survey back and have asked about an old chimney that was removed at least 34 years ago (maybe much longer). I have some plans for an extension that show that it wasn't there then. So we have nothing to show it is structurally sound other than it's never been a problem and there are no signs of it being a problem in any of the subsequent surveys of the house through the years.
What should I do?

Sounds like they've got one of those really annoying survey things flagged up where the surveyor has to point it out, but is covering their own ass by not suggesting any course of action.

I'd give them what you've said here - plans show it has been gone for at least xx years and to the best of your knowledge no survey has ever highlighted any problems.

Or just push it back on their surveyor - is s/he suggesting it needs further investigation?

Hopefully they'll realise it's a non-issue.

Thanks MaggieFS

Yes I agree - long gone and no movement so what? You can't be responsible for things going way back (after all the house was never built to current regs anyway).

I think it’s fine for them to ask as long as you reply truthfully.
We have a similar thing where our sellers are providing no real information, the house was done up just before they purchased so in theory they should have asked for permissions etc before they bought the house, all we are asking is for them to truthfully report their findings, rather than playing dumb, it must have come up when they bought that a structural wall and chimney breast was removed.
Obviously if they refuse to provide any answers we will have to decide what to do, we have to cover ourselves as the same questions will come up if we sell in the future.
Your buyers can always take out an indemnity ? Or look to get it certified in the future if they do new work? It will be their call to make.

Thanks everyone. We have answered all the queries truthfully to the best of our knowledge. We never even knew that the chimney had been removed as it never came up on our survey. Thanks for the reassurance. Fingers crossed for a quick resolution.

We had a similar thing on our survey of last house 14 years ago, we decided to go ahead anyway and surprise surprise no issues. Bet it'll come up again when we come to sell though.