What To Do After A Bad House Survey | 10 Potential Deal Breakers For Home Buyers

[@purplepolly71]

Just had a level 3 survey completed on the house I was buying. The surveyor called me to say "I've only said this three times in 5yrs..but you need to walk away". Turned out to be major erosion and subsidence issues which will cost thousands to fix. Gutted and back to square one but really glad I got a full survey.

[@MoveiQ]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@zenastronomy]

who was your surveyor and where does he work?

[@Afrinaturality]

I just pulled out of a flat purchase following a building survey (red flagged issues: roof needing replacement, asbestos removal, window replacement, boiler replacement, etc, etc). I feel terrible for pulling out because I didn't want to waste the vendor's time, but I simply cannot take on the costs of rectifying these issues on top of the purchase price.

[@Chuckbobuck201]

We recently walked away from a property after the inspection because a few of these reasons. A 115 yr old boiler (yes, one HUNDRED and fifteen years old!) with asbestos covered pipes leading to it, old knob & tube wiring that the insurance companies said they would not insure, and a few other smaller issues like small leaks in the roof. All of that added up to a big NO from us and we cancelled our contract, especially since the seller was unwilling to fix or budge on the price.

[@MoveiQ]

115 years!!!! 😲 Did it actually work?

[@Chuckbobuck201]

@@MoveiQ it did, but was leaking badly and not expected to last much longer.

[@nazkia3293]

Just had an Homebuyers report carried out on a 1930's house. It came back stating 7 out of the 10 reasons given in this video needed immediate attention; potential underpinning, substandard conservatory, "amateurish electrical installation", loft conversion not fire safe and shouldn't be used under any circumstance, chimney alterations carried out that could affect structural integrity, sub surface damp. The list went on! I would never buy an house without a survey. Sure it's cost us around £1000 with solicitor/surveyor fees but rather spend that than be faced with a bill to put all that stuff right in the future.

[@MoveiQ]

Thank you for sharing your experience and views.👍

[@bridgetsmith4675]

Perfect video after receiving a survey report recently!

[@g0801215]

Our buyer pulled out of a sale on the suveyor report. They wanted £50,000 off the property due to three red flags on the survey but didn't want share the survey with us so still clueless about what was wrong.

[@agoogleuser4492]

Get a survey done yourself

[@mimplays]

@@g0801215 they paid for the survey they don't have to share it. We had a seller demanding to see the survey when we asked about the plan on Japanese Knotweed. We didn't even ask for a change in price we were just asking questions about the findings. I copied and pasted the EXACT wording on our survey to the solicitor and they kept asking for a copy of the survey and not providing information on a plan. We pulled out. I'm willing to provide information from the survey and maybe a copy of the seller agrees to a price drop or to share the price of the survey but if they want their own copy they can shell out the £400+ on it themselves.

[@anitagu9261]

Thanks. How about uneven floor in the utility room?

[@washingtonluis1770]

We are having massive trouble purchasing a property that had been surveyed 14 years ago as a normal cavity wall, 28mm block walls . Now, the new survey it's calling may be PRC orlit construction . It has been very confusing how the construction can change in time magically? Can we have a video showing PRC houses or how to be able to spot one ? Thank you for your videos.

[@MoveiQ]

Thanks for the suggestion and your feedback.

[@simondavies1138]

Thanks Phil! Very useful, going to speak to my vendor today about a survey I have recently had completed. Really hope she’s willing to compromise, not looking forward to this conversation at all... issues are some verge repair to the gable end, glazing issues and the dreaded artex roof - but in fairness if not disturbed the surveyor has been kind enough to point out that it really isn’t a game changer as long as it’s either covered up or left alone.

[@MoveiQ]

Good luck!

[@jackbarnes8812]

Hi Simon - prior to this conversation, did you find out the expected costs for these jobs to help you in your negotiations?

[@shvlogs2261]

I have received the flooding and mining report and the main issues to highlight are as follows: • the property is assessed to have potential for natural or non-natural ground subsidence and an area that may be affected by surface or sub-surface coal mining • the search has also indicated that there is a moderate risk of Surface Water flooding Any advice?

[@mfleary]

I’ve just had a survey carried out on a prospective house purchase so this video is very relevant and useful - thank you!

[@MoveiQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@casbyness]

Actual video begins at 1:36, if you want to skip the sales pitch.

[@Odinfatherofall]

This is a very helpful video. I'm in the process of getting new property. The last property I had a survey done it revealed there was movement in the property, it wanted re-wiring and asbestos removing. I pulled out as you can imagine. Hopefully this one won't need much doing to it.

[@MoveiQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@freespiritdamsel]

This is a very helpful video. Thank you for this

[@MoveiQ]

Glad it was helpful!

[@zachwen1986]

hello Phil, thanks for sharing. want to check if it is OK to buy a underpined mid-terraced house? it was down 30 years ago and a recent building survey doesn't see any futlrther structural issues. the seller says the house now is more stable than othose that are not underpined, I can appreciate this but not sure how this is going to affect a re-sale and its market value. thanks in advance.

[@MoveiQ]

We'd suggest discussing further with your surveyor who did the structural survey - at the end of the day its really down to how you feel about the property, how long you intend to live there and weighing up any perceived risk. There are many personal factors at play that we are unable to advise on. Good luck.

[@damian-795]

Phil this is a good video , thanks

[@haseebatawfeeq2258]

Survey just showed the space listed as dining area is actually a substandard outbuilding which has been converted into this space with thin walls and polycarbonate roof and no building regulation sign off. according to sellers, a sign off is not needed because no extension work has been done! The surveyor told me there will be heat loss/gain and it’s not up to habitable standard! Should we walk away ?

[@MoveiQ]

www.moveiq.co.uk/blog/buying/house-survey-report-dealbreakers/

[@reemahannan4774]

I've just had my level 2 survey done and I'm quite shocked at how many issues it flagged up as "red" and "amber". When I went to view the house, it looked beautiful, modern and spacious. However the survey revealed there are problems with the roofing, damp in walls and through the house, possible asbestos as it's from the 1930s amongst other issues throughout. I'm looking and another 40k+ in fixing these problems so am hoping the current sellers are willing to fix the major issues before I even consider proceeding further. This video has been very helpful, thank you!

[@MoveiQ]

Glad it was helpful. Good luck with your onward move.

[@markwoods7471]

We’re first time buyers and given this market it’s taken us 18 months to finally get an offer accepted. Just had our survey done so this video was extremely helpful!

[@MoveiQ]

So pleased to hear that - thanks for the feedback and good luck with your move!

[@cyclefrenzy6713]

Just had a survey on a property built around 1900, quite a lot of damp. It appears the DPC has been bridged a great deal. Might removing the built up ground around the house help erase some of this?

[@MoveiQ]

Definately a question for your surveyor - good luck.

[@AK2HI]

What can i do if my survey was wrong and a house built on the wrong lot

[@joanramsey4002]

Thank you, great tips.

[@MoveiQ]

You are so welcome!

[@nonplus102]

Would you walk away from woodworm confined to an extension? Apparently in the roof timbers, surveyor said the house is habitable.

[@MoveiQ]

www.moveiq.co.uk/blog/owning/what-woodworm-look-like/

[@Polyglotwriter]

Will all Level 2 RICs surveys largely give the same result with the same quality? Wondering why there is such a pricing difference in various quotes!

[@gemmahulme8883]

Great review thank you!

[@MoveiQ]

Thanks for watching!

[@johnforrestbaker]

Phil Thank you for Sharing your information. Bravo . 👏🇬🇧🐘👏🎖🕊

[@MoveiQ]

You are very welcome

[@_J4CK4L_]

Thanks

[@MoveiQ]

No problem

[@IntegrityQA]

I actually recently had the bank find “cracking” on their basic valuation survey so I’ve had to put the ball back into the vendors court as they want a full structural engineers report now….everything else was going so well but now it’s a huge risk for myself to pay out up to £1000 to potentially find an issue the bank won’t lend on

[@Astral100]

Great content, thank you!

[@MoveiQ]

Glad you liked it!

[@MP-bw6vu]

Very useful

[@mirceaiulian9825]

Hi, I have recently done a survey and the surveyor did not ask any questions about the property but wrote some negative comments afterwards in the home report. For example we have put glass balustrade and although it has the legal toughness for glass and it is stamped she wrote something like "there is need to confirm that the glass is within standards". She also took photos of the property with me as well and when I asked her about it she just brushed it off. I am not happy with her attitude and the report. is it anything I can do? from what I found out she is a contractor so not even the employing company cannot really ask her to change her comments.

[@MoveiQ]

Always worth approaching the company direct and seeing if you can speak to a senior director there or check if they are RICS registered and take it up with them as their governing body. Here is a link to RICS for you www.rics.org/networking/find-a-member

[@sianiwilliams2002]

I strongly recommend having the survey done I paid for the level 3 survey and when I received the report I escalated to the seller asked for a reduction of the price and subsequently the money that I was borrowing from the mortgage reduced significantly to nearly £7000 this was a smart move definitely advised to have a survey on any old property such as Victorian houses

[@shvlogs2261]

I have received the flooding and mining report and the main issues to highlight are as follows: • the property is assessed to have potential for natural or non-natural ground subsidence and an area that may be affected by surface or sub-surface coal mining • the search has also indicated that there is a moderate risk of Surface Water flooding Any advice

[@MoveiQ]

Check in with your solicitor and see what they advise on these findings. This article might also help you: www.moveiq.co.uk/blog/buying/house-survey-report-dealbreakers/

[@tamar5261]

Our buyer is having a full structure survey done on our 30 year house. There is nothing wrong with the house, he's just trying to get the price down.

[@ourclarioncall]

Hi, how would that get the price down ? Just curious as I don’t have a clue about this stuff

[@tamar5261]

@@ourclarioncall if the survey finds stuff that in his view needs attention. The buyer could then say it's going to cost x amount to fix this so I'm going to adjust my offer accordingly. But we have already reduced the price for him so it's not going to happen otherwise he can jog on

[@MoveiQ]

this might help www.moveiq.co.uk/advice/selling/what-is-gazundering/

[@tamar5261]

@@MoveiQ thanks

[@RabJ973]

Buying a house is a big financial commitment so if someone looking to buy a property decides to pay extra for a full structural survey it generally to do with mitigating the risk. NOT to knock a few quid off the price.

[@RitaJones-u5y]

What about bamboo which is just as destructive as knotweed

[@jacobniju]

How about radon risk areas?

[@AtulShetty]

Thank you !

[@MoveiQ]

You're welcome!

[@RayatTheAuctionCompany]

Another great video. 👍🏻🏠

[@MoveiQ]

Thanks 👍

[@RayatTheAuctionCompany]

Move iQ our pleasure 👍🏻🏠

[@RayatTheAuctionCompany]

Move iQ our we ok to share your website link on our website? Some really useful content.

[@MoveiQ]

@@RayatTheAuctionCompany Please do 👍

[@RayatTheAuctionCompany]

Move iQ brillant.

[@davidrankin3890]

Hi phill if I pay for a surveyor to help me purchase a house and it falls through can I use him again or do you have to pay every time,, thanks mate dave,,,,,

[@MoveiQ]

I would imagine that you will be charged for each property survey

[@Onlichka]

Hello. I have a question about the fist item on your list - the subsidence. Our solicitor's searches revealed there is a potential risk of subsidence in the area. However the survey (level 2) stated that there is no evidence of subsidence. Should it be evident to start to worry about it and to doubt if we want to purchase the property? Can we ease our mind as survey did not reveal one, or is it better to employ constructional engineer to make sure that it is actually ok. Is there a chance that engineer will say also - "well I can't see any evidence of it"?

[@257manojgupta]

Hi I am in the same boat. Could you please tell me how you handled this situation?

[@Onlichka]

@@257manojgupta Hi. Unfortunately our sale fell through. Not for that reason

[@chloes3897]

The area I’m looking to move to has a high risk of subsidence but the surveyor didn’t note any movement so we’re happy to proceed on this basis. A large proportion of the UK is susceptible to subsidence.

[@patrickrowland6219]

My daughter had a survey and within the survey the surveyor wrote the roof membrane was breathable but we had to replace it after we found it wasn’t by replacing roof.Do we have a case to get our expense back?

[@MoveiQ]

Are they a RICS surveyor? If so you can check with the RICS www.rics.org/uk/footer/contact-us/concerns/

[@DeeTeaDee]

The owner told me he had a DPC done on the property but the survey has listed it as a red flag. The survey is so overwhelming and stressful . Like, I don’t know what to do? Most of it makes such little sense to me . Agh

[@mirceaiulian9825]

you cannot trust the survey as much as you want to. I have done surveys when selling my house and they were trying to lie about the house. although we had proof that the house is brick the surveyor insisted it is non traditional as this is what he knows about the area and "most houses around here are non-traditional construction"

[@mirceaiulian9825]

It's the second time dealing with surveyors and they are just impossible. Our real estate recommended a company to do the survey and although we did an extended renovation including landscaping the garden the surveyor put some negative comments all thorough the report. I am so upset that we called another company to redo the survey. hopefully this goes better

[@MoveiQ]

Good luck!

[@elizabethboone3724]

I'm concerned about asbestos In the late 1970s bungalow we're buying is it possible to buy a 1970s house that's not full of asbestos

[@MoveiQ]

We'd hope so - have you had a survey?

[@elizabethboone3724]

@@MoveiQ were planing on having one soon just looking for the right company want to feel confident we can carry out refurbishment on the property in the future as we'd like to stay there for a good long time

[@sunaymilanov2516]

Hi I am a first time buyer just got an offer accepted on a purpose build flat property is 30 years old I am just not sure if I need survey? The agency that sells the property said don't bother because the property is only 30 years old however I know that they are trying to get the property sold 🤣 but my mortgage advisor also said I wouldn't bother on 30 years old property. Any advice? Has anyone bought a purpose build flat and used survey? Any information will be helpful thank you

[@MoveiQ]

These articles might help you with your decision www.moveiq.co.uk/blog/buying/worth-survey-new-build-home/ and www.moveiq.co.uk/advice/buying-exchange-and-completion/types-property-survey/

[@MK-cw7kc]

My friend had a survey done on a 15 yo property and the windows need repointing, definitely have one done.

[@traveljournawithfamily]

Is it worth doing an asbestos survey ?

[@MoveiQ]

Great idea! Thanks for the suggestion

[@hayd7371]

"you will need a properly qualified surveyor to do it on your behalf. This is not true. Whilst generally recommended, this is not a legal requirement.

[@lastwing1]

It’s Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors not “Institute”

[@FrewstonBooks]

Was going to say that myself. (Retired Chartered Surveyor)

[@chitpaul]

Its Royal INSTITUTION of Chartered Surveyors. Not institute.

[@MoveiQ]

Thank you