Five common problems uncovered by Homebuyer Surveys
Homebuyer Surveys (now known as a RICS Home Survey Level 2) commonly reveal property problems. Sometimes, these are relatively harmless and can be addressed with a simple change or installation.
On other occasions, though, they’re more severe and require a significant financial investment.
Knowing about these issues before purchasing a home is critical, so you aren’t left surprised and can ensure you have the funds available.
Here are five of the most common problems we find during Homebuyer Surveys.
Damp
Damp is flagged in a good number of Homebuyer Reports.
Since we live in such a wet country, most of us learn to accept humidity as normal. That’s unavoidable and is simply the nature of the climate we live in. However, these water droplets shouldn’t be sitting in our homes.
The main cause of damp in a home is poor ventilation. Inadequate extractor fans in bathrooms or kitchens can create a build-up of moisture, as could an overfilled loft space or damaged roof. Damp is also caused by leaking pipes or drains.
In itself, damp just means there’s water present. The water isn’t what we’re worried about – it’s what the water leads to, with issues like rot and mould presenting a much more serious cause for concern.
If your Homebuyer Survey finds it damp, it’s usually not a deal-breaker. You should plan to install remedial measures (like extractor fans) and repair damaged structures like window frames or skirting. It’s often sensible to lower your offer to account for the cost of this work.
Subsidence
Subsidence is when a property sinks – subsides – into the ground.
A little structural movement is unavoidable. This is known as settling and happens every time a new house is built, and the ground underneath shifts due to the weight.
Subsidence is most common in areas with clay soil. In wet weather, the clay expands before drying when the rain goes away. This creates a constantly shifting base for the home, putting strain on certain corners and joints.
In reality, subsidence affects a significant percentage of British homes (up to 20%). If evidence of subsidence is discovered, it might make getting a mortgage more difficult – but not impossible.
Subsidence can usually be repaired with an expensive below-ground reinforcement job. For most of us, a more cost-effective ongoing maintenance plan is a more sensible route.
Faulty wiring
Faulty wiring affects far more homes than you might think. Whether it’s improperly fused circuits, dangerously inadequate wiring or wires running all over the place at all angles, faulty wiring poses a severe risk to a home.
If an electrical fire starts due to faulty wiring, it’s very difficult to put out. You can’t use water or foam because they’ll give you an electric shock.
As such, you’ll need an electrician to rewire the affected area. In some cases, that’s the entire building. Costs here can quickly reach the thousands.
Your Homebuyer Report might uncover evidence of faulty wiring. If so, we suggest negotiating a lower offer with the seller to account for the cost of an electrician. Alternatively, ask the current owner to fix the issue as a condition of the sale.
Asbestos
Whenever the word asbestos is mentioned, most people freeze up in terror. It’s gained a reputation over the last couple of decades – rightly so, in many aspects.
Asbestos was mixed with other materials to form an extremely strong, fire-resistant structure. It’s basically impossible to spot with the naked eye.
It isn’t a problem when it’s mixed in with materials. These hold the fibres – which can cause severe respiratory disease – in place and prevent anyone from breathing them in. When this material gets smashed up or cut, the risk vastly increases.
The production of new asbestos was banned in 1999. However, on-the-shelf products were still in use, so homes could contain this material until 2005.
If your Homebuyer Survey finds asbestos, you might need to get it removed. But, if it’s harmless enough (like artex ceilings), you’ll be fine to leave it where it is.
Japanese Knotweed
Japanese Knotweed, like asbestos, is known as a potential house-sale crippler. Thankfully, the past year has seen significant improvements in legislation, allowing buyers and sellers to exchange affected properties much more easily.
Japanese Knotweed is an invasive plant from Japan (as the name suggests). It grows at an incredible rate. Dealing with it requires a years-long maintenance plan, typically costing a few thousand pounds in total.
Your chartered surveyor might find Japanese Knotweed in the garden or on the boundary of your property. Like the other common problems mentioned on this page, consider lowering your initial offer to account for the costs of its removal.
Homebuyer Surveys from GB Home Surveys
A Homebuyer Survey helps identify all these common problems – and many more. Once you know about them, you can take steps to address the costs of repair or ongoing maintenance.
GB Home Surveys is based in local teams throughout the South-West, West Midlands, and South Wales. Our expert chartered surveyors are employed for their dedication to the job and willingness to help people like you.
Are you moving house? Could you use a Homebuyer Survey to check for damp, asbestos, rot and more?
If so, please don’t hesitate to get in touch! Use the form below to reach out, and we’ll get straight back to you.
