Soldato
Sounds like we could be exchanging contracts next week
It turns out the extension on the house we are buying was built without planning permission, it was approved 1989 but then terminated by the building control office in 1992 as it hadn't started. There is also no evidence of building control.
We hadn't had a survey as yet as it does need a lot of work doing so didn't see the point, we were going to rewire and change the kitchens/bathrooms, boiler etc. And the last survey I had done didn't tell me anything structural, and missed a number of issues anyway.
The solicitor has advised a survey now to check the quality and structural integrity of the extension. I'm considering just going direct to a general structure inspection and report by a structural engineer rather than a building survey by a surveyor, I know there are Chartered Building Surveyors but you can't search for that speciality on the RICS site. I'm not sure how much they can actually check without intrusive checks.
What are people's thoughts?
Do you really like the property? Are there any alternatives on the market? I wouldn’t be buying it until the planning issue was sorted properly (e.g. not some kind of indemnity).
Do you really like the property? Are there any alternatives on the market? I wouldn’t be buying it until the planning issue was sorted properly (e.g. not some kind of indemnity).
Someone may correct me if I am wrong but wouldn’t there be an issue that if retrospective building regs was sought it would be inspected under the current regime, not the one from 30 years ago so may well fail on things that will be difficult to put right (e.g. thermal performance).
Both will be a problem still when you come to sell unless they are out right, better it be on someone else’s wallet than yours.
Had my home demo today, few little snags picked up on after a thorough 2 hour inspection and all good to complete Friday. April seems a long time ago when I reserved the plot!
I moved in April and somehow it is October almost November already - dunno where the time has gone only feels like yesterday we were walking through the front door for the first time.
I have emailed a structural engineer to see what they can check without pulling things apart. It would be nice to have it checked that it wouldn’t fall down, even if it has been standing for 20-30 years.
For the attendance of a Chartered Structural Engineer, we can observe the later addition for obvious signs of structural distress [cracking/movement], but we're unlikely to be allowed to have opening-up works undertaken for us to observe any concealed structure [ie no trial pits to observe foundations, no removing of boxing out to reveal joists, beams, bearings, etc]. Therefore any attendance at this stage by *anyone* would only ever be a surface visual inspection of the current finishes, ie the external walls, internal walls/boxing-out etc.
If there are obvious signs of distress [ie cracks/movement] in the observed surfaces then we can report on these. However, if there are none, or the finishes are fresh [and therefore any signs of movement/distress will have been deleted], then there will be limited to observed and report upon.
Thanks Maccy, I had a brain fart when trying to log in at home, this (my normal) account is my work email and I was trying to log in using my home email. I'd forgotten it even existed, I blame the man flu!@TheTallLanky77 get a thread started in Forum Content Discussion if you're having trouble accessing your other account
Just got our first removal quote here in Germany: €4200. I mean, I expected it to cost more than the UK but bloody hell!
Packing our stuff into storage at the moment still not got an exchange date but the house we are buying won't be completed on the same day the one we are selling will complete! Fun times!
Yay!
Where are you staying in the meantime?
NoWould you buy a property that has knotweed the other side of the rear garden fence but has a 10 year management plan in place?
My friend likes a property that has the above. She is a cash buyer but she is worried that if she wants to sell in the future she may have issues selling it?
She loves the house!