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Original poster

Purchased house without survey. Mould found.

85 replies

JMC91 · 27/08/2022 16:25

We’ve completed on an Edwardian (I think) house and moved in yesterday. No survey done as we’re cash buyers
I never noticed the damp/ sweet mould smells but it’s something I can’t stop smelling now. I should add that I’m pregnant and a bit afraid of any works we need to undertake and the effect of mould or damp on a baby.

there are some plasterboard walls put in around bay windows and against other walls randomly. I don’t know what this suggests but it doesn’t look too good.

we haven’t looked in the attic yet but I’m a bit afraid.
can anyone offer any advice

OP posts:
Wrongun1999 · 27/08/2022 16:27

can I ask why you didn’t get a survey? It’s there not just for the mortgage company but so you know what you are buying!

YesitsBess · 27/08/2022 16:30

Has it been stood empty for a while?

Is the water switched off or could there be a potential slow leak?

Has it got heating and have you tried to switch it on?

I do second the PP about the survey.

Denny53 · 27/08/2022 16:30

Why on earth didn’t you get a survey done? Doesn’t matter if you’re a cash buyer or mortgaged to the hilt, you need a survey. I’d get one done now so at least you can see if you’ve inherited any problems

cathyandclare · 27/08/2022 16:31

Can you see any mould? Have a good luck in damp corners, the back of built in cupboards, bathrooms etc. Can you find where the smell is strongest and lift floorboards if necessary? It maybe that you just need to treat the mould and introduce better ventilation and a dehumidifier. Check carefully for dry rot too if you haven’t had a survey - but bear in mind that you may just be super-sensitive to smells in pregnancy.

AgentProvocateur · 27/08/2022 16:41

You could get a survey now and at least you’d find out the extent of the work needed. Mould may be the least of your problems. Madness to buy a house without a survey v

Afterfire · 27/08/2022 16:43

😳😳😳😳 For future reference- you should ALWAYS get a survey done! Cash buyer or mortgage! Wow. A survey is for your own protection as much as anything else, to flag up anything wrong with the property that needs work etc.

I would ask around for recommendations and get a survey done now and then you’ll know what you’re dealing with.

Floralnomad · 27/08/2022 16:43

Get someone in now to tell you the extent of the problem and learn from it . I’ve never known anyone buy without at least the most basic survey .

custardbear · 27/08/2022 16:46

Get 3 specialist damp people over to give you quotes. No point fretting when you don't know how bad it is.
Are you able to find money or loans to pay for the work?
Next time get a survey done, hindsight etc but it's just wise as it's only going to cost you elsewhere

MeridianGrey · 27/08/2022 16:55

Please tell me you have at least insured the house?

ThistleDoo · 27/08/2022 17:00

How have you got this far without looking in the attic? The previous owners could have left anything up there.

Hugasauras · 27/08/2022 17:05

What has being a cash buyer to do with it? Confused You bought an Edwardian house and didn't get a survey?!

Wonnle · 27/08/2022 17:14

You should have gotten a survey is the only advice i can give .

Whatever you have got wrong is now going to cost you .

Wonnle · 27/08/2022 17:15

The sellers must have been rubbing their hands in glee

HouseofArchitect · 27/08/2022 17:20

Uh ooooh.

Well, it could just be because it was empty for a while during heavy rain recently.

Or a leaky gutter?

  1. check the attic
  2. Buy 2 dehumidifiers one for upstairs and one for downstairs
  3. book a survey and pray
  4. use mould killer not bleach
  5. repaint with damp seal paint before you even look at F&B paint charts...

Good luck

Fleur405 · 27/08/2022 17:23

Oh yikes it’s quite a risk to buy an old house without a survey as they do tend to have age related problems. Options now are (1) get a survey now - TBH I’d do this so you know what maintenance you have to do over the next few years (2) get a damp specialist in or (3) do some investigations yourself at least in the first instance. You can get little humidity monitors from Amazon for not much money and put them around the house to try and identify where it’s damp. You can also easily buy mould treatment stuff but obviously if it’s from a leak or rising damp or something you’ll need to have the underlying problem fixed first.

We’re in an old granite house and it can get humid in winter so we use a dehumidifier. You can also hire them if you need to dry things out.

hedgehogFC · 27/08/2022 17:38

You need to get a damp expert to come and inspect. Who knows what they'll find.

Buying an older house without a survey was not a bright move. They aren't just there to satisfy mortgage companies, they're their so you can go into a purchase with your eyes fully open!

RandomUsernameHere · 27/08/2022 17:40

I would get a professional in. Ask for recommendations locally if you don't know of anyone. Just to add, a survey isn't the same as a mortgage valuation, not having a mortgage doesn't mean you shouldn't get a survey done.

AuntieMarys · 27/08/2022 17:41

I can't believe you've made a massive purchase without a survey!!!!!

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 27/08/2022 17:46

You have spent 100's of 1000's of £ and you didn't get a survey? Total madness. The phrase caveat emptor springs to mind.

Randomthoughts992 · 27/08/2022 17:49

sorry but its a lesson learnt. My friend didnt have a survey done either.. The repairs needed were 120k in damages. The house cost her 200k so over half the house cost.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 27/08/2022 17:49

we're in the process of buying an Edwardian house and it wouldn't have crossed my mind to buy it (or any other house) without a survey. What on earth possessed you?

Sooveritallnow · 27/08/2022 17:57

MeridianGrey · 27/08/2022 16:55

Please tell me you have at least insured the house?

I'd be very surprised if the insurance covers a pre existing issue, especially with no survey as one thing they look very catefully for is damp.

bloodyunicorns · 27/08/2022 18:15

Denny53 · 27/08/2022 16:30

Why on earth didn’t you get a survey done? Doesn’t matter if you’re a cash buyer or mortgaged to the hilt, you need a survey. I’d get one done now so at least you can see if you’ve inherited any problems

This!!

It's still your money -why wouldn't you want to find out if there were any problems?

Rapidtango · 27/08/2022 18:19

An Edwardian house with no survey? 😯

I would get one done now. I would be really worried about dry rot.

PriamFarrl · 27/08/2022 18:22

How long has the house been standing empty for?

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