Survey results not great

[Spidey66]

In February we put in an offer on a house which was accepted. We’re cash buyers so we didn’t need a survey for the mortgage but we got one done anyway.

However the report came back today and it wasn’t great. The windows and doors need replacing asap, there are potential issues with damp, and there needs some kind of guarantee because concrete was involved in the construction. (For info it’s ex LA and built around 1950).

We’ve forwarded the report to the solicitors and EA but would you do? Seems like our options are a) pull out b) get some building quotes and ask for a reduction in the price c) ask the vendors to do the works.

TIA x

Replacing windows and doors and damp = OK.

The concrete thing = whole other can of worms.

That sounds like small repairs needed to some windows and the front door. I always assume when buying that the survey will suggest new windows if they are over 20 years old for better insulation value. You can't ask for a reduction because they aren't new.

No idea about the concrete.

I'd pull out. The risks are simply too great.

Whilst I probably wouldn’t buy it anyway… I would, out of curiosity, download the deeds today for £7 and see if it’s currently mortgaged and who with.

If it’s a high street bank then they are likely to have paperwork confirming successful completion of works. For £7 you at least have a swift indication of 1. Whether it’s mortgageable and 2. Whether the work has been done.

It would be a no from me. It's just not worth the hassle and worry.

So I’ve discussed the report with the surveyor and it’s likely we’re going to pull out. There are many issues with the property….

1. the whole Cornish unit thing. Apparently they were deemed ‘defective’ in the 80s and as such needed remedial work to make them mortgageable. It seems ours has had the work done but it’s a semi and it appears the house it’s attached to hasn’t and this could affect the saleability of ours in the future. These units were often built by local authorities after the war, as this one has is. The house is on a cul de sac of similar properties. I assume next door must be ex LA as surely if it was still in council ownership, the council would have done it?

it seems that even if everything is as it should be, prospective buyers are often put off as there seems to be a stigma or reputation to them.

2. there is extensive damage/wear and tear to the roof space/chimney which is likely to cost £££ to repair. There is also a wood beetle infestation there.

3. there is damage to the front door and it needs replacing. I didn’t notice it when we viewed it, on the photo in the survey it didn’t look that bad. They have a baby and older children. I thought it looked like wear and tear from being banged by buggies/bikes but apparently it only needs a strong man to kick it in. Also many of the windows need replacing.

4. there are numerous smaller problems including some damp (though not extensive and the surveyor wasn’t overly concerned) ; some movement in one of the bedrooms (again not concerning) some difficulties with the heating and it seems the boiler will need attention or replacing.

the positives….it’s actually a lovely house, with good parking and in a lovely part of town, very close to the town centre, park (we’ve got a dog) with a good garden and parking. I was really looking forward to living there!

last week I was walking past on my way back from the park with the dog and I bumped into the husband. (It’s on my way back from the park, I wasn’t being a stalker!) We’d not met but I introduced myself and we chatted for ages and I was telling him how much we were looking forward to moving.

i know they’re planning on moving to Ireland to be close to his wife’s parents and I almost feel I’m letting them down but I can’t let my emotions get the better of me!!!

We’re living in a small town in Somerset. We moved here a few months back from London having sold our property and are in rented currently. We’re cash buyers from the proceeds of our London property (we’re late 50s/early 60s and cleared our mortgage a few years ago). Will pulling out give us a bad name as potential buyers? It being a small town and living relatively close to the vendor will it be awkward (sounds daft but until we moved here I was used to the anonymity of London!)

I think that is a very sensible decision given what the surveyor has said and the fact that next door hasn’t been done. Don’t worry about anyone else, you have to do what is right for you. I’d say to the agent you are very sad about the situation but having spoken to the surveyor and discussed what they have said at length you have come to the decision that with the various issues it isn’t the right house for you and you need to look for an alternative.

Don’t know the exact figure but it is common for sales to fall through, you absolutely aren’t the first and won’t be the last. Next door to me has fallen through 3 or 4 times so far as the roof needs doing and the price doesn’t reflect it.

I’m in Somerset and hope you enjoy living here. You are in a strong position, take your time and find the right place for you. It took is 16 viewings to find the right place for us a couple of years ago, usually it is 5 or 6. But we held firm until the right place came along and every day I am very happy that we were able to buy it. I’m still addicted to Rightmove though from habit! Good luck.

Well, we've told all parties now, including the seller , who took it better than I expected.

I won't lie, I'm upset but I know deep down it's the right decision. My husband was also of the opinion we had to pull out, tbh he was more in the pull out dept than me (I was about 70% pull out, he was about 80%). But I'm definitely of the view both of us have to be 100% happy with the purchase. It's too much of a commitment not to be.

@Seaitoverthere loving Somerset! We're in Frome which is very different to London but in a good way. The only things I'm missing from London are TfL (never thought I'd say that!) and the diversity. Like back in London when I was at work we'd have a Bring & Share lunch when we'd all bring in food from home and have a big team lunch. As we were so diverse ( I worked in Hackney) we'd have home made Chinese food, jerk chicken rice and peas, biryani etc. My contribution as a Londoner was a home made lemon drizzle lol!😝

I do think you’ve made the right decision and it’s so important to actually speak to the surveyor in person to assess their report.

I’m also so with you on TFL. I took it so much for granted.
Good luck going forward.

I think you've made the right decision. This era of pre-fab are typically built on raft foundations as well, and they weren't reinforced well, so there is also the potential for the slab to crack and the property subside. They're generally a bit of a problem waiting to happen. Good luck on your house hunt - onwards and upwards!