Underlying damp issue?

[AuntieVV]

We are trying to buy an end terrace home (built in the 90s) and there is a suspicious timber attached to bottom of the home on the north facing side of the home, there is no direct sunlight here, and the exterior on this side does have traces of algae comparing to other sides. What do you all think this timber is for? To cover up some damages?

There seems to be no sign of damp issue inside the house from what we can see. Worry that there is structural problem to the foundation. Unfortunately we only did level 2 survey and report did not mention any damp problem.

Should we still go ahead to buy this home? Is it difficult to maintainence north facing exterior wall?

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Whatever it is, it shouldn’t be there. Might be there in a misguided attempt to stop the rain bouncing off the slabs and making the wall damp.

Have you had a survey? What does the surveyor say, if so?

The report gave a very general comment, saying this is uncommon and recommended that the timber to be removed and inspected the underlying wall.