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Anyone else bought a house of horrors....

81 replies

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:15

No not one where a murder was committed although there's still time!

Moved into our 'dream' house 3 months ago and now the timeframe for any issues has passed, we have had nothing but problems costing us a fortune.

The home report is done before sale in Scotland and all items were 1's (no work required, in good condition'. First issue is the roof, last week we had so many leaks in 4 different places. The flat part needs replaced and the roofer has said it's obvious botched repairs have been attempted so the previous owners were obviously aware. Currently looking at 2k plus... how long is a piece of string.

Second issue was the woodburner, it's completely broken, we weren't told so we had to replace it at 3k as it's the main heat source downstairs.

Now the boiler...... the wires were actually singed and burnt at the back which as a firefighter absolutely petrified me! Plus the electrical source to the boiler does not actually switch it off, I had to isloate it at the main fuse box! The heating engineer says its basically fecked and needs so many parts replaced. Again this was a 1 on the home report. Total cost so far 1500 but will go up.
What's the bloody point of a home report if they don't actually look at all the items properly. We obviously paid over the asking too.

Sorry, it's been a long 2 weeks of hell and I'm on my own as hubbie is away so I'm dealing with everything myself, I think I will just pour a massive glass of wine, I would have a bath but with no heating that's a no.

I know it will be an amazing house when it's finished.... won't it?
Just looking for advice from anyone that was in the same situation on how to keep sane! I know it's sold as seen but we declared all the wee problems or previous repairs we made on our last house. and fixed a couple before we sold. Spot the mugs!

Thanks for listening I just need a rant.

And breathe........

OP posts:
Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:16

Sorry, no idea why there is a poll... I'm obviously over emotional and unreasonable :-)

OP posts:
SavoirFlair · 16/11/2022 19:19

No idea why there’s a poll?

it’s called AIBU.

No idea why you’re posting in here, more like .

try this for size next time

property forum

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:20

Apologies, Ill ask to have it moved. Thanks

OP posts:
Isabellla · 16/11/2022 19:24

@SavoirFlair are you always so rude?

Sounds like a nightmare op! Is there no way you can go back and say the report was a load of crap?

willithappen · 16/11/2022 19:27

Isabellla · 16/11/2022 19:24

@SavoirFlair are you always so rude?

Sounds like a nightmare op! Is there no way you can go back and say the report was a load of crap?

Love this. (The first part)

Nothing wrong with this being in AIBU - half the stuff in here isn't actually a question poll and a lot for traffic and advice

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:28

Unfortunately not, I spoke with our solicitor yesterday before the boiler shambles and you only have 14 days to raise any issues. It held out till after then.
I've asked to move this thread to the property forum.
Cheers

OP posts:
Travis1 · 16/11/2022 19:30

SavoirFlair · 16/11/2022 19:19

No idea why there’s a poll?

it’s called AIBU.

No idea why you’re posting in here, more like .

try this for size next time

property forum

Why are you being such an arsehole? Is there really any need?

how shit op it’s always the fear when buying. There are so many caveats in the home reports to absolve the surveyor as well. Things come in threes as they say so hopefully that’s you getting them all out the way and can move onwards now

Iwasjustasking · 16/11/2022 19:31

Yep exactly the same, I didn’t want a house I needed to do up and I haven’t got the money to do it up, I actually hate it here, so many problems I don’t even no where to start, already had the roof fixed at a cost of £900, boiler numerous things, flat roof leaking, damp on floors and now something on the walls that I have no clue what it is, I literally hate living here and wished I could just sell!

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:33

Iwasjustasking · 16/11/2022 19:31

Yep exactly the same, I didn’t want a house I needed to do up and I haven’t got the money to do it up, I actually hate it here, so many problems I don’t even no where to start, already had the roof fixed at a cost of £900, boiler numerous things, flat roof leaking, damp on floors and now something on the walls that I have no clue what it is, I literally hate living here and wished I could just sell!

Oh no..... honestly I could just have hid under the duvet earlier! I'm paranoid about leaks, noises, smells...... I really hope I will love this house when all these issues are sorted out

OP posts:
RM2013 · 16/11/2022 19:37

I am so worried about moving house. Honestly there seems so much that can go wrong and seemingly even if you’ve had a survey or home report it doesn’t always flag things up.
Theres a couple of threads on here that have kept me going.

one about things that were left behind by sellers - honestly some of it is so awful it makes you realise just how shitty some people are and they other one posted by someone who is struggling to settle into new home and so many have posted saying the agree.

in time the house will be just as you planned. Think of the issues as temporary but once you e got past them you can start putting your own stamp on your new home.

hope you manage to get the jobs done that need doing and that they don’t cost you ££££’s

cortisolqueen · 16/11/2022 19:38

I had similar. No red flags on the home buyers report.
Turned out it needed rewiring, new boiler/hot water tank & roof, as well as the issues we already knew about (needing new bathroom, kitchen, redecorating throughout).

Sorry OP

Wirralwifey · 16/11/2022 19:41

We pulled out of 1 sale because the survey was such a shit show.

Second one the survey was amazing, nothing flagged at all.

Turns out the first surveyor (same level survey, same company) was just more thorough!

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:42

cortisolqueen · 16/11/2022 19:38

I had similar. No red flags on the home buyers report.
Turned out it needed rewiring, new boiler/hot water tank & roof, as well as the issues we already knew about (needing new bathroom, kitchen, redecorating throughout).

Sorry OP

Aww thank you, its rubbish but good to know we are not alone. I'm just dreading what the next issue is!
How can people just walk away knowing they are leaving you with over 5k in repairs to start with.
I'm so gutted😥

OP posts:
CombatBarbie · 16/11/2022 19:42

Scotland here too..... We knew it was a renovation project. But our survey also said roof was fine.... We completed in Jul so summer, 1st winter saw a fuck tonne of leaks on one side, thankfully have a tiler in the family so managed to replace one side at mates rates.

In the attic and behind the lathe and plaster on walls we've found junction boxes with wires hanging everywhere......including a live one behind one of the kitchen walls.

Our stove was also knackered (the door seals etc) and cost 3k to replace but so worth it! The heat it kicks out is great.

The "new" kitchen was all connected via an extension cable behind the kickboards!

The double glazing on survey was apparently 1......nope, all frames were knackered so all 17 had to be replaced (and we got ripped off....)

I'm just disappointed we've not really found anything interesting like a secret cellar or suitcase of forgotten cash 😂

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:44

Wirralwifey · 16/11/2022 19:41

We pulled out of 1 sale because the survey was such a shit show.

Second one the survey was amazing, nothing flagged at all.

Turns out the first surveyor (same level survey, same company) was just more thorough!

It's so s*ty!
I now know the report isn't worth the paper its written on.

OP posts:
pudseypie · 16/11/2022 19:45

Sorry it's been like this, it's a rubbish start but hopefully things will now improve.
Could you get a builder to come look and see what actually needs doing so you don't get any more surprises?
We bought a real money pit but our survey showed almost everything up so we knew most of it. 6 years on we are still fixing structural issues, but it's a very long term home for us.
Good luck with yours

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:46

CombatBarbie · 16/11/2022 19:42

Scotland here too..... We knew it was a renovation project. But our survey also said roof was fine.... We completed in Jul so summer, 1st winter saw a fuck tonne of leaks on one side, thankfully have a tiler in the family so managed to replace one side at mates rates.

In the attic and behind the lathe and plaster on walls we've found junction boxes with wires hanging everywhere......including a live one behind one of the kitchen walls.

Our stove was also knackered (the door seals etc) and cost 3k to replace but so worth it! The heat it kicks out is great.

The "new" kitchen was all connected via an extension cable behind the kickboards!

The double glazing on survey was apparently 1......nope, all frames were knackered so all 17 had to be replaced (and we got ripped off....)

I'm just disappointed we've not really found anything interesting like a secret cellar or suitcase of forgotten cash 😂

Maybe that will be the silver lining, I can totally relate to most of that except the mates rates!
I'm feart to look behind the kitchen cabinets 😮

OP posts:
haveyourcakeandeatit · 16/11/2022 19:47

Watch the movie "the money pit" it'll make you laugh.

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:47

pudseypie · 16/11/2022 19:45

Sorry it's been like this, it's a rubbish start but hopefully things will now improve.
Could you get a builder to come look and see what actually needs doing so you don't get any more surprises?
We bought a real money pit but our survey showed almost everything up so we knew most of it. 6 years on we are still fixing structural issues, but it's a very long term home for us.
Good luck with yours

Unfortunately we are quite remote so it's going to be individual tradesmen but I'm OK with that if it all gets sorted.
I just wish we knew what was ahead, then we could have budgeted and prepared.

OP posts:
Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:48

haveyourcakeandeatit · 16/11/2022 19:47

Watch the movie "the money pit" it'll make you laugh.

It used to be one of my favs..... 😂I'm not sure now though!

OP posts:
Wherediditallgo · 16/11/2022 19:48

The problem is that a home report isn’t a full survey. It’s just one level up from a valuation. If you want a full survey you have to pay for it yourself.

pudseypie · 16/11/2022 19:49

We too laughed about watching the money pit, but don't find it quite so hilarious now...

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:49

Wherediditallgo · 16/11/2022 19:48

The problem is that a home report isn’t a full survey. It’s just one level up from a valuation. If you want a full survey you have to pay for it yourself.

Yeah, we are realising that. It's not an old house but it was a self build so I think they have probably cut corners.
It's only now that everything is starting to fail.

OP posts:
bigfamilygrowingupfast · 16/11/2022 19:50

I haven't read all the way through so apologies if this has already been asked, but how old is the house?

Firefightress1 · 16/11/2022 19:51

pudseypie · 16/11/2022 19:49

We too laughed about watching the money pit, but don't find it quite so hilarious now...

Aye, I think by the time we have it up to scratch we will be divorcing due to the stress and selling it 😂

OP posts:
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