Common Issues Found During A Property Survey

Now that you’re set on purchasing your new home, you need a surveyor to compile a report on your prospective property purchase. You’re hoping for a clean bill of health for the new house you plan to call home. However, it is important to note that problem-free survey reports can be extremely rare, especially if the building is older. But what could be so bad that the surveyor may uncover?

There are a few common house survey problems that still show up on reports often. Some of these include:

Asbestos

Despite asbestos once being used for construction and fireproofing, it is now a material that strikes fear, especially when to referred to in reference to your home. However, if asbestos is uncovered during your home survey, not all is necessarily lost.

In most instances of discovering asbestos, it can often be safely contained by a specialist if it hasn’t been damaged or is in a poor condition. If the asbestos is found in such a condition, then the asbestos must be removed by a professional in such field. The cost of this removal can vary due to different factors of the removal, such as where it is found and how much of it there is.

Damp

Damp is also a very common issue flagged up by property surveyors. It can affect the structure of the building as well be extremely detrimental to our health. Discovering that damp is present in your potential new home could not only save your property but also a life.

Like the Asbestos, Damp can be rectified quite easily, but this can also depend on how bad the problem is. If the issue stems from condensation, the fix is very simple, however damp-proofing requires expert help and can be extremely costly. If the conducted survey shows a serious damp issue, it is recommended to acquire a further survey conducted by an approved damp surveyor. Conducting this additional survey will provide additional insight into the type of damp you are dealing with as well as the full extent of the issue.

Cracks

Cracks are incredibly common in most homes, yet although they may look unnerving, they don’t always mean that there is a huge problem with the home. The key is to understand the cause of the cracks. Your survey will inform you of any underlying issues that are associated with the cracks.

While cracks are a normal part of home ownership, they can also be a clear sign of subsidence. Structural movement isn’t uncommon, but there are levels of severity to be aware of. Your building surveyor will be able to inform you if there’s an issue that will require further investigation.

Boundaries

Property surveys not only take the internal factors of a property into account, but also the external factors of the home. Your surveyor will inspect the property grounds and consider the conditions of elements such as boundary walls and fences.

It is common for issues to become apparent during this part of the inspection, especially if the boundaries are parallel to any public property, this is because the security of your home could be at risk. It is also important to note that an issue such as a broken fence may be overlooked during a home survey report as this is usually not seen to have an impact on the value of the property.

Unapproved extensions and alterations

If the property has any additions or alterations to the original structure, they must be accounted for. This means that they need to be compliant with the current building regulations. An issue that may be presented here is that the regulations for extensions changes often, so an amendment to the property that was completed by the previous owner, may have been while a different law was in place.

However, Regularisation allows for retrospective approval, which can be gained from the local authority’s building control body. It is important to note however that only work carried out after 11th November 1985 can be approved via regularisation. 

Drainage Issues

Drainage issues can often stretch from faulty drainpipes to sagging gutters, both of which can be highlighted in your building survey report. A lot of the time, drainage related issues may seem insignificant, but their impact on your home can be huge if they are left unchecked, which is why it is included in the survey. Identifying and rectifying any drainage issues early enough won’t send costs through the roof if they are caught early enough.

If you are affected by one of the issue above, you might find our article ‘Using A Building Survey Report To Negotiate A Sale’ useful. Please feel free to Contact Us if you would like advice.

Using a building Survey Report to negotiate a sale

A building survey report is a detailed report, created by a building surveyor, which describes the condition of each element of a house or commercial premises and identifies the property's defects, their apparent cause, the urgency of repair and maintenance options available. It may also include an approximate cost of repair.

If the condition of the property is positive, with no significant defects or issues, you have the reassurance that substantial expenditure will not be required at the time of purchase or in the future. This can give you the reassurance/confidence to proceed with the purchase at an agreed price, safe in the knowledge that you have made a sound investment.

But what if the report shows a negative result? Should you walk away? Or can you use the report to your advantage and negotiate with the vendor?

Should I walk away from the sale?

It really depends on whether you expected a negative result! If you were already aware of all the defects or issues outlined in the report, you may feel confident to proceed with the purchase, safe in the knowledge that there will be no additional, unexpected defects or issues (and related expenditure) in the near future!

If, however, the report highlights any previously unknown defects or issues, you may wish to reconsider your offer depending on the nature and severity of what is included in the report. 

First and foremost, speak to your surveyor so you understand the implications of anything highlighted in their report. They will advise you on the next steps, whether any further investigations are required and give you a comprehensive breakdown of the survey. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice!

If the Building Survey Report finds significant defects and/or issues and you are not prepared to invest the time/money that will be required to ensure the property is eventually in a good condition, walking away from the property is a sensible decision.

When should you negotiate on a sale?

If you are still keen to continue with the purchase, but the report has highlighted previously unknown/undisclosed defects with the property, you are potentially in a strong position to negotiate with the vendor.

The vendor may argue that the defects are obvious and that the purchase price is reflective of the defects. However, if the survey has revealed concerns about the property and you can quantify the costs to repair or maintain it, either now or in the future, it gives you a much stronger position to negotiate the sale price should you wish.

Negotiating a purchase price can be quite nerve-wracking and it is always worth bearing in mind that you could lose out on securing the purchase if there are other parties in involved (or if you upset the vendor). You should consider what you will do if the vendor refuses to negotiate. How much do you want the property? Would you still be willing to pay full price for it? Can you afford to rectify the property without a discount? How much will you be saving in the long run? Is it worth it?  

But if there is a significant, unknown cost associated with purchasing the property, you are probably in a good position to make an offer.

Would a Building Survey put your mind at ease or help you save money on a property you’re thinking of buying? Contact us today!