Purchasing a period property. Have noticed small patches on the wall, is it damp and should we be worried?

[DYIDIY]

Our survey hasn't yet be carried but it has been booked in (chose level 3) so I guess we will find out more once that takes place. But when going for our second viewing we noticed two small patches on the wall by the window in one room and I fear it could be damp. Overall property seems in good condition. It is a 2 bed period property in a very desirable area and within our budget so we are still very keen on it and have started all the docs with solicitors, have our mortgage approved etc.
Is this type of issue standard with these type of buildings?

Probably.
Yes.

Period properties will often have this. I live in an old house and it's prone to it. Does not mean there is a structural problem. An old house is unlikely to have a cavity wall and you can end up with condensation if you don't ventilate well.

We've had a damp patch for years on our dining room wall, do has just repainted with bathroom paint and some special sealer stuff. A builder who was round for something else ages ago saw it and said as it's on the chimney breast we needed to put an internal airbrick in....which dh hasn't done so maybe it will come back.

Don't dry washing inside, keep windows open as much as possible.

Don't necessarily be scared off by the survey when you get it, with an older house there will be stuff and surveys are the voice of doom ime!

Old houses often have damp. It can be exacerbated by residents trying to make them draught-proof. Hopefully, your survey will identify any fixable reasons such as blown tender or leaking pipes etc.

My old house had this in the bedrooms and it's largely sorted now. Previous owners had thrown cement down the chimneys 🤷 as they thought it was a leak from there. We removed the chimneys, had a couple of air vents put in the brick work and make sure we ventilate well and it's nearly there. Next stop is new plaster and damp proof paint!

Likely, its very rare if not impossible you will find a house with no damp. At least if its visible you know what your looking for/dealing with.

Some damp is far worse than others, almost all houses have a level of condensation/ventilation damp. As long as it hasn't yet rotted the rafters/joists its fine and a real easy fix in most cases (checking air brick or installing new vents). Just avoid 'spray foam insulation' and if you can avoid concrete mortar/render and stick with lime.

Other causes can be things like guttering, roof leaks, mild pipe leaks, chimney damp and pointing etc... which aren't hard fixes either.

Bigger issues are historic dirt and tile houses (fixable but needs membraining and a whole new floor/foundation laid) or anything flooded especially if flooded by grey or black water due to contamination.

Yes very typical of a period property.

Yes. We get damp patches at times due to condensation, particularly in winter and a few neighbours (terraced) have had to have bits of repointing done. It’s not particularly expensive though and small patches don’t really cause a problem.

"period property"
1870 period?
1970 period?

Yes, it could be damp. But whether it's problematic damp or something that's an easy fix is another question. I remember looking at one property where the walls were running with water - very extreme damp, but easily stopped by fixing the ballcock in the CWST.

Damp is a weird thing. I live in 1920s semi. There is a persistent damp patch on one (internal)wall. My attached neighbour has a persistent damp patch in exactly the same place.

Using breathable paints helps a lot. As does not using wall paper.

If it's caused by something external and you're buying Leasehold or share of freehold, you should try to find out what the arrangements would be to fix something external. This can range from completely inflexible and unresponsive managing agents who charge stupid rates and won't give you any say over the contractor and final cost, to arsey fellow share of freeholders who will object to scaffolding and insist you pay for guttering. Or you could have lovely neighbours who split the cost and help you organise it. Doesn't really matter about this damp or not - I'd try to get as good a sense of these arrangements as possible anyway.