What to do? Survey uncovered chimney masonry removed without proper support.

[Moo2019]

Looking for some advice.
We are in the process of buying a 1930s terraced house and had a survey on it. Generally things were pretty good but it did say:

‘Chimney masonry in the former dining room, rear bedroom and part within the roof space area has been removed and the method of support is inadequate. There is the potential for brickwork to collapse without warning. This requires immediate attention and contractors should be requested to provide quotations for this work.’

We are now in a bit of a back and forth with the current owners who are saying we can get (and pay for) a structural engineer and builder to get quotes and drawings and then pay for the work before exchange. Obviously we don’t want to do this because it’s not our house.

Therefore, we were thinking of trying to negotiate a reduction in price and just deal with the work when we move in.

My question is, has anyone had this sort of thing done and would you be able to tell me a rough idea of what it cost?

I’ve been reassured it’s not a big job, but am I being naive?

I had this issue but only found out after I'd been in the house for years! It wasn't picked up on the original survey and it was actually my plumber who spotted it.
Fortunately a gallows bracket was allowed, can't remember the exact amount but it was around £500.

Gallows brackets are only good for smallish chimneys, with good brickwork to attach to, and most importantly the neighbours chimney breasts must be intact.

My Bro bought a house that had had the chimney breast removed in the front room, I'm not sure about the upstairs

From what I remember, he got quotes for the work and then the seller deducted this figure from the sale. Once my Bro had moved in he had the chimney breast put straight back in

I believe it was very common to remove the chimney at one time

I wouldn't buy it and move in with it like that. The whole thing could come down at any point - just because it hasn't so far doesn't meant it can't happen. I also wouldn't pay to do work on a house I don't own yet - also risky, what if sale falls through or something goes wrong with the work?

We did buy a house with an unsupported beam - but we didn't move in until it was fixed and signed off by Building Control. It emerged during that work that it was a lot worse than the survey had shown up and could have brought down both our house and next door! And we didn't start the work until we'd completed!

Ok update -
the owner has agreed to get a structural engineer to have a look and give a quote. Will go from there!

Well that’s a positive update. But they need to do the necessary work with sign off prior to exchange.

You really can’t proceed until they have remedied this as it’s just too risky.
It’s not going to be acceptable for them to get the structural engineer in with quotes to do the work and them taking the cost off the asking price.

Just remove the rest of the stack in the loft and above the roof , youll never have any problems with leaking leadwork around it either.

I'd let the solicitors know so they can deal with it. If you need a mortgage, this kind of thing would be likely to make them pull the mortgage, and solicitors have an obligation to tell them. The other sides solicitors probably needs to have a word with the sellers and tell them if they don't sort it, they won't be able to tell it to anyone but a cash buyer, and they are likely to want a hefty reduction in price because they basically have them over the barrel.