Survey found leaking roof what to do now???

[Nomorediy]

Is it worth going ahead with a purchase where the surveyor has identified roof leaks?

Survey has detected:

Leak in main roof going into the boiler room (sounds potentially dangerous).
Leak into kitchen diner from extension roof which is apparently too shallow for the type of tiles used.

This house (I won’t post it in case the seller has to relist it and this is found) was always going to need work. I noted already that guttering and boiler needed replacing, it would need fully rewiring and there were loose roof tiles. Seller accepted offer at 575k vs list price at 600k to reflect this. It’s in a popular area very near an outstanding primary school so big discounts aren’t common.

Surveyor has down-valued to 550k to reflect what he says will be the costs of fixing the main roof and replacing the extension roof.

Does this all sound too scary to proceed? I’ve used this surveyor before and he was right about everything that needed doing in my current house (which he didn’t down value as he said my offer reflected the costs of necessary work).

Thanks everyone!

Can you renegotiate the price? Do you have the money to do the work?

If you have your heart set on the house get a roofer in to estimate the price and timescale of the work.

Do you have the extra £25k that the mortgage will now not lend you? That's the first question if yes you do, then you will then need to find the money to do the roof. Is that doable? Can you negotiate the price a bit ?

You can send trades people round to give you an estimate on what repair or replacement would cost. Then go back and negotiate with the seller. They are in a weak position.

For roofers ask around for a good one or on community Facebook etc.

If you are possibly thinking of solar at the same time you should avoid slate type tiles

Thanks all.

i do have funds for roof repairs but as you say I need to reduce the price to reflect surveyors valuation. I have to tell the mortgage lender right?

You either aim to negotiate price or you walk away. Having a roof done isn't a big job in terms of how it affects you living in the house but it is a cost. Only you can decide if you want to get a new price and fix the roof or you'd rather leave it 😁

For me it would depend on whether I knew a good roofer in the area. If the house ticked all my boxes and the seller would take less then I would be getting a quote for the work so that it could be done straight after completion. I think lots of surveys are quite wishy washy ‘it might need a new roof’ to cover the surveyors arse and I quite like that he states it’s a requirement so it’s something you have certainty over.

Was it their surveyor or yours. ? Have you had the mortgage valuation yet? If it was a private survey maybe not. I bought a flat once with a leaky velux window in the kitchen we were top floor and the mortgage surveyor found it and held back 5% until we fixed it then released the money.n

Definitely go back to agents and tell them of the down value. If one surveyor down values it, then others will do likewise. I'm pretty sure they have access to the same information. Most vendors will reduce the price but some don't and you have to take a view - long term - if its still worth it and do you have the £25k extra if the mortgage provider won't.

I personally would walk away. Just depends on if you think it’s worth paying for

I would walk away.
I lived in a rental that had roof problems and it caused havoc with the rest of the house.

I think the leaks could just be the tip of the problems you’ll face.

The main issue I think is that the leaks have caused stains to walls and damage to plaster already. I don’t have to tell my mortgage lender but I don’t think I could get home insurance on a house with this now visible damage and presumably the mortgage lender needs to see the home insurance policy was agreed right?

This is flood damage that occurred after I viewed and offered.

Is another option to get my solicitors to ask the seller to repair all damage and replace the roof prior to completion, with my surveyors going back to confirm the repairs were done to the proper standard? Perhaps the seller could even get this on his insurance