Non traditional build property, is the estate agent legally obliged to disclose.

Admetos

Admetos

Admetos

Soldato
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19 Jun 2009
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What are peoples thoughts on the following.

I'm helping my mother purchase a bungalow, we found a bungalow and the building survey has returned the property is non traditional build. The property is timber framed, with brick around the frame. Visually from the outside it's impossible to identify this, and according to the surveyor you can only really be sure once you access the attic that I never did.

The question however, was the estate agent legally obliged to inform of non traditional build? During the first viewing I met both the seller and the estate agent and not once was it mentioned. Also on the Rightmove advert there is no mention of build type, plus numerous phone calls with the estate agent, again not one mention of this.

We have decided not to purchase the property as there is to much risk involved, however this has caused quite a bit of disruption as we turned down another property, plus of course paying for the building survey.

Do I have any legal comeback on the estate agent for not disclosing the non tractional build. Also when I spoke to the surveyor he confirmed the estate agent already knew about this.

Many thanks
 
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I'd very much doubt it. Pretty sure the standard T&C's of a listing say pretty much, we show you the house but its up to you to verify everything we say about it.
 
Christ a surveyor seems to say "its probably OK but I had to step over a 6 inch wall so I didn't bother and can't be sure".

Most estate agents are glorified door openers. If you need a survey to find something out then you can be damned sure the estate agent doesn't have a scoobie.
 
I'll move this to homes and gardens, but I would have said that if the estate agent did know about it and didn't say they are at the very least dodgy given that "non traditional" building methods can make getting a mortgage harder.
 
ron3003 said:
Timber framed with a brick skin. Doesn't this describe most new builds or have I got this wrong?
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It seems to be that way (in law has one). Perhaps those dating back a bit before the regs were sufficient can be a bit suss?

JasonM said:
New builds are breeze blocks with brick on the outside, as is almost any house built since the early 1980's
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www.barratthomes.co.uk

Engineered Timber Frames | Barratt Homes

Learn about the benefits of timber frames in home construction. Discover their sustainability, durability, and energy efficiency.
www.barratthomes.co.uk www.barratthomes.co.uk
 
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More and More of the big house builders are switching over to timber framed now. Nothing really wrong with it, problems with timber frames new builds are due to it being poorly built not from it being timber framed.
 
dlockers said:
It seems to be that way (in law has one). Perhaps those dating back a bit before the regs were sufficient can be a bit suss?



www.barratthomes.co.uk

Engineered Timber Frames | Barratt Homes

Learn about the benefits of timber frames in home construction. Discover their sustainability, durability, and energy efficiency.
www.barratthomes.co.uk www.barratthomes.co.uk
Click to expand...

I have this wrong then. Apparently the one I'm looking at will struggle to get a mortgage, so there is something different about this bungalow compared to what is made now.
 
That is classed as traditional construction, as long as it's got a brick or block outer wall.

You'll find that a huge huge amount of homes have been built like that with a timer frame for the last 30+ years.

The house i built is a timber frame with rendered block outer wall and to everyone, mortgages and insurance it's classed as traditional construction.
 
sovietspybob said:
That is classed as traditional construction, as long as it's got a brick or block outer wall.

You'll find that a huge huge amount of homes have been built like that with a timer frame for the last 30+ years.

The house i built is a timber frame with rendered block outer wall and to everyone, mortgages and insurance it's classed as traditional construction.
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Yup this.

JasonM said:
Unsure, but from what I can gather it's 1980's period.
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It would probably have been ok, most post about 1980/1985 are mortgageable and generally considered standard construction.
 
MikeTheNative said:
More and More of the big house builders are switching over to timber framed now. Nothing really wrong with it, problems with timber frames new builds are due to it being poorly built not from it being timber framed.
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I dunno, I wouldn't trust most builders with anything more than lego honestly. From buying wood from the usual DIY places as well I would be stunned if my house didn't end up as a spiral with the quality of wood they sell. Warped to buggery, wet and quite often nowhere near the size claimed on the label.
 
sovietspybob said:
That is classed as traditional construction, as long as it's got a brick or block outer wall.
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Was gonna say, timber frame is considered a standard construction method these days.

On the OP, estate agents usually have disclaimers about "best endeavours to supply correct information....up to the buyer to confirm details before purchase", etc.
 
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BUDFORCE said:
Actually the only thing you do need to watch out for is of its has cavity wall insulation done, in which case don't touch it.
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It's not done, I'm told by the surveyor it can never be done, else the wood will warp.

I still don't have the survey, when I can read this I will understand more. From the conversation the property would struggle to get a mortgage.
 
tbh i look out of my living room window and just across the road on what was a field i can see 2 houses being built, a week ago they were just timber frames now they are roofed and almost complete, might be me but i cant see them lasting the 100 odd years mine has been here:)
 
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