Asbestos survey

[Curlyfifteen]

Is it important to get an asbestos survey before purchase?

its a good looking 1960/70’s house which has been extended.

but they have no records for most of the things including the extentions and asbestos survey and electrics.

so wondering if we need to check or am i being over cautious?

I wouldn't bother with that myself. Asbestos is fine unless disturbed and you can always get samples done if you're going to start knocking things down and your architect will be able to arrange this.

I would recommend that you get, for starters. A vendors cost.

1. a check of the electrics system, a metal fuze box?
2. a check of the gas boiler and supply, how old is the boiler?
3. asbestos
4. roof
5. drains
6. building regs, was the extension approved
7. check double glazed units are not blown.

Thank you.

There are no building completion certificates - they took out indemnity insurance although this only covers the cost of adding missing elements of the build, not any repairs needed/damage caused to the build as a result of missing elements - If I understand correctly.

They feel that the insurance should solve everything and that we are worrying over nothing? Extensions were done by previous owner.

They are refusing access for an electrical survey and want it done themselves. We want our own but cannot legally force them to grant access. Electrics were done by previous owner

Double glazing - the fensas do not say which windows they relate too. Does this matter?

There is also shared drainage that runs underneath the kitchen extension but no "build over agreement" - does insurance fully protect us from the worst case scenario of having to rip off the extension so they can access the drains?

A 1960s/1970s house is likely to contain asbestos materials. I strongly advise to get an asbestos survey before any work is done on the property