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Original poster

Survey before or after chimney removal?

10 replies

housebuyingthicko · 14/03/2023 12:48

I’m a first time buyer and have very limited knowledge of what I’m doing, I’m relying on google and the advice of friends and family (and now hopefully you lot!)

I had an offer accepted on a terrace house. There is/ was a problem with next door’s chimney leaking and causing a damp patch in one of the bedrooms. It was complicated by next door being a Housing Executive property (I’m in NI) and arranging the removal of the problem chimney was taking a lot of back and forth between the estate agent/ owner and the housing executive people. When I viewed it a couple of weeks ago I was told it would be sorted in the coming weeks.

My offer was accepted a few days ago and I spoke to the agent about the chimney today, to be told it would be sorted in the next ‘week or two’ but that ‘shouldn’t delay things’ re the survey etc. I questioned this, thinking surely the survey would need done after the problem had been sorted and the agent said ‘well that chimney could be removed tomorrow and the survey would still show up damp on that wall because it takes a few weeks to dry out’. But he also said ‘the survey might not even pick up any problems from next door’s chimney but we’ve been honest and told you about it and you have our word’.

Being a FTB I feel out of my depth and like I don’t know what to believe or who to question. Obviously the agent is pushing to get things going asap which I understand but I’m concerned about when to have a survey done: before or after this chimney is removed/ repaired?!

if anyone has any advice I’d be grateful

OP posts:
Sprig1 · 14/03/2023 12:56

I would not book the survey until the work was done. I would also not hold my breath re: the work being done 'in the coming weeks'. Maybe you should keep house hunting.

Original poster
housebuyingthicko · 14/03/2023 13:02

Sprig1 · 14/03/2023 12:56

I would not book the survey until the work was done. I would also not hold my breath re: the work being done 'in the coming weeks'. Maybe you should keep house hunting.

Thanks, that was my instinct, to not have it surveyed until the work was done. But I’m concerned that if I delay it the sellers/ agent will get impatient and allow viewings again and I could lose the entire thing (plus my solicitor fees etc).

OP posts:
LividNC · 14/03/2023 13:06

Bide your time.

You don’t want to rush for the sake of a small amount of money, and potentially inherit a big issue.

(We had a purchase fall through once and the solicitor is used to it, they waited for our next offer and charged just once as it was at early stages).

Nyasia · 14/03/2023 13:21

Is the chimney that’s being removed in next door’s property? If so, then I don’t think that will be inspected as part of your survey, but you should check with the surveyor.

If it’s in your property, definitely wait until after to check that the chimney has been removed properly. We had a survey on a previous property which had been completely remodelled, and the chimney had been removed from the downstairs, but the upper part of the chimney was hidden at the back of a cupboard. If they’re removing the chimney from the downstairs, then all of the chimney above needs to be removed, including in the loft.

Original poster
housebuyingthicko · 14/03/2023 13:33

It’s the chimney in next door’s property which apparently has a leak in it, causing damp on a wall in the house I’m trying to buy. So can’t imagine it would be inspected during my survey but they should pick up problems on my side. Eg the agent is saying the damp on that wall (which wasn’t visible to me but apparently there!) is because of the chimney but maybe once the chimney is removed and the survey done they’ll discover it’s not from the chimney?

OP posts:
Greentree1 · 14/03/2023 13:48

I would want some sort of guarantee on the damp before you carry on with the purchase. If there has been damp for a long time there may be rotting timbers and all sorts that might need replacing. I would be reluctant to buy until I was sure everything was OK, a standard survey for purchase probably wouldn't say anything other than damp that may have been caused by... (they don't look at anything that can't be easily seen) which is really not much use to you.

Original poster
housebuyingthicko · 14/03/2023 13:58

Greentree1 · 14/03/2023 13:48

I would want some sort of guarantee on the damp before you carry on with the purchase. If there has been damp for a long time there may be rotting timbers and all sorts that might need replacing. I would be reluctant to buy until I was sure everything was OK, a standard survey for purchase probably wouldn't say anything other than damp that may have been caused by... (they don't look at anything that can't be easily seen) which is really not much use to you.

My mortgage advisor said I could add on a ‘damp and timber’ report for not a lot of extra money so hopefully that will pick up any long standing damage?

OP posts:
C4tastrophe · 14/03/2023 15:43

You 100% want a damp and timber report.
To be honest, I would not progress with the purchase until this is all sorted out.
Chimney gone, damp fixed. Then consider a survey etc.

C4tastrophe · 14/03/2023 15:45

The agent and mortgage advisor won’t get their commission until you have bought it.
That is at the front of their minds, not your plight should the issues continue after you have signed.

Lostmarblesfinder · 14/03/2023 15:46

After absolutely. My past life I worked as a structural engineer and I have done plenty of structural surveys in my day.

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