Should I be worried about this home report?

[EluneBePraised]

DH and I are house hunting and a semi bungalow has come up which we like the look of. I requested the home report and quite a lot of the elements relating to the condition of the property fall into category 2 (repairs or replacement requiring future attention, but estimates are still advised), these include:

Chimney stacks - weathering of rendering work
Roof - chipped, slipped and missing slates, debris in gutters
External walls - false render finishes in places
Windows - some wear and tear (these look like they are aluminium windows but states they're double glazed)
Garage - window unit misaligned
Ceilings - most are artex
Floors - a number of temporary supports to mid-section of subfloor noted
Electrics - dated system

No category 3 repairs but what do people think about the above issues, should I be running from the property because of any of these? I'm not sure about the flooring issue, would that be a big problem to fix? Thanks

I think you’re lucky there aren’t any category 3 repairs! I would call that a good survey

Agree with PP that's not bad at all. I'd prioritise the roof but the rest can all be done as and when and isn't exactly urgent.

I’ll say what I think about each:

Rendering isn’t a big job if it needs a bit replacing. Matching the colour with existing is a pain. Chimney is a bit awkward but it’s a bungalow.

gutters are easy to clean snd slates can be replaced. Hopefully no damp where they are damaged. Fairly easy job for a roofer.
Walls: . “False” would either be bubbling or inadequate render. I’d ask for more info. Render is a pain to match.
Wear and tear to windows: they are just not new. Garage window: not sure this matters but it might make me think it’s poor workmanship.
Artex ceilings: not great but not surprising. It’s an age thing. If you don’t like them, you’ll need a price for skimming them.
The subfloor: this should be supported on joists. They are used to level the floor. I’m assuming this is a suspended floor. Is it floorboards? Looks like shoddy building. Should be dealt with.
Electrics: not unsafe but might struggle with modern ovens etc. You might want to rewire.

Decide if it’s worth it and get ball park figure quotes for what matters to you and whether the property is priced for work needed.

I'd go ahead, that's more wear and tear rather than structural damage. You do need to maintain buses so these things are just part of owning a house. Nothing major in tjere at all I'd say. You could argue you could need some money off for the roof but it's in clear if it's just a few slates or the whole roof needs doing x

The subfloor is the bigger issue and possibly the rendering. How did the surveyor get to look at the subfloor? Is there no tiles or carpeting on the floors? This is quite odd.

Nope. None of that would worry me. It’s just advisory. Sounds like the property is around 30 years old or so. All of that is in keeping with the age.

30 years old is not likely with slates, old wiring and aluminium windows. Rendering is more common in 1930s/40s/50s properties. Ditto metal windows.

Thanks all for your replies. The property was built around 1950, it looks to be a probate sale. Not sure how, or where, they discovered this subfloor issue and it's not really clear from the pictures either where it could be.

Haha...you should read my report!

I'd bite your arm off for that!

None of that would worry me though would do a bit more research. I would definitely pay for the electrics to be tested as that will tell you whether it’s dated-but-safe or whether it needs rewiring sooner rather than later.

@Hyperion100 oh no really?! I'm worrying about what horrors will be thrown up on my own survey when it gets done, plus my MILs property (probate sale) is being surveyed in a couple of weeks, it's barely been touched since the 1970s so will be interesting!

We know we'll need a re-wire, have visible damp in the kitchen flank wall, the main chimney is not correctly supported, boiler is 12 years old, radiators too small and in the wrong places, cracked lathe and plaster ceilings upstairs, rotten wooden window frames front and back, a load of loose roof tiles and cracked guttering.

All fixable with time and money.

@Hyperion100 we have a few of these issues similar with our current property! Hopefully you can get all these things sorted in your new place and make it wonderful again.

I'd get the artex checked for asbestos....

We got at least 3k off for ours.

@EluneBePraised
I would ask the surveyor about the subfloor and what their report actually means. If it’s substandard, it could mean bouncy floors or something unsuitable under the floors. So I would get more info on this. As with all reports you have to weigh up what the costs might be, whether you could negotiate a discount snd what the market price is. Is it reasonably priced for a tired property? Or is it top whack? Is it somewhere you will live for 10 years or 2? Nothing in the report is bad but it adds up.

Apologies not read the full thread. Artex likely to be asbestos, so I'd want to get that tested, as you'll not want to be drilling into it or sanding it. If so you can encapsulate by plastering over but still not drilling into, put in a new ceiling underneath or replace. With the floor I'd want to know if its damp/rot below causing a spongy floor which has been poorly repaired/propped up, is there sufficient ventilation beneath?

Not sure how, or where, they discovered this subfloor issue and it's not really clear from the pictures either where it could be.

Contact the surveyor who did the home report, with its address and ID number and date, and ask about the subfloor issue; what was it and how did he find out.see it. When you get a response you can then ask the selling agent for a second viewing to eyeball the subfloor.

OP some potential issues there that you probably want more information on. When we bought roof was category 2 supposedly but was actually shot to pieces when we got professional roofers in for assessment (three companies), ditto Artex and potential asbestos - can cost a few hundred quid just to sample to see if asbestos there. None of the issues unsurmountable but you will need a budget to fix,

Thanks everyone. I'm going to view on Saturday so will try and contact the surveyor before then about the floor issue.

When you say home report, are you in Scotland OP? If you are, the surveyor won’t talk to you. A home report is prepared for the seller therefore the seller is their client.

Yes I am @balletmuffin however it's no longer relevant as I spoke to a local builder earlier who has worked on these particular houses and I discussed the issue with him. He said those houses, which are unique within the area, aren't the best quality and he wouldn't buy one personally. I trust his judgement as he's well respected locally, so I won't be going any further with this one. Thanks everyone for your input.

Very wise to talk to a local builder- they often know a lot about properties that a surveyor won't be able to see.

Indeed @BlueMongoose - the viewing was cancelled the next day after our chat!