Should we be hiding damp issue

[TheOP2]

The house is a very old (1900s) cottage which is up for sale. I bought the house about 12 years ago and hubby has lived here for about 4. I've noticed that one wall is very wet and water must be getting in from outside. I've spent years and £1000s trying to get the house damp free with little result! As it's up for sale hubby has been lathering on damp proof paint which has obviously helped but it's just masking the issue!! I think doing this is hiding the issue from buyers which I feel is un ethical... He thinks this is absolutely normal and moral ... Who's right,!?!?

We've spent 1000s trying to fix the issue previously and no one can figure out where it's coming from ... DH said he doesn't want to chick any more money at it if we're moving :(

Surely it would be uncovered when surveyed? I do think it's unethical to hide an issue you are aware of, but legally I believe while you can't lie, but you can keep it to yourself if not asked. However I recall they may be a question on the (legal document) property forms which asks about such things like 'has the property ever suffered from (or been treated for) damp' or some such.

@mondaytosunday , that's not the case. See my earlier reply - it asks if there are any warranties for any work done, not whether there is or has ever been damp, which is not quite the same thing. The presence of damp is for a surveyor to determine.

OP, I understand your husband's reluctance to spend more money on the problem, but I suspect you will end up paying either way, whether you fix it properly or reduce the selling price when the issue is uncovered. At least the latter option means you can move on and someone else can take on the problem if they want to buy the house and are reasonably assured that the price reflects the amount of work they need to do.

What's the house built with? Is it brick. That must be frustrating you haven't found the cause, is it damp or condensation.

I'm buying a house with penetrative damp.

The seller has painted the whole house white to cover over all the damp, unless you knew to look for it (white salting which is now hard to see coming through the white paint) you would have no idea. Very first thing the EA said before even booking us in for a viewing was 'you do know it has damp and that will be the buyers responsibility to fix right?'.

Frankly I appreciate the EA honestly, they aren't wasting mine or their time and it hasn't put us off. I find the house very reasonably priced for what it is so paying to fix the damp is fine by us.

I would have been more irritated to not have been told and been side swiped by it later in the process after surveys etc... though.