Homebuyers Report - should I be worried about these bits?

[redrabbit]

Hi,

In the process of buying a new house. It's in very good condition and we've had a homebuyers report done. I know very little about building work and anything to do with DIY really.

I'm aware that some things that surveyors pick up are due to them being protective over future liability, e.g. they may say "Check out the xxxxx" and it's because they're not qualified to check out that service or whatever it is.

1 - no repair needed
2 - defects that need repairing or replacing but are not considered serious or urgent. Maintain in the normal way
3 - Defects that are serious, need repairs, replaced or investigated urgently

Anyway, what are your views on these and the ratings

Overall condition

We are pleased to advise you that in our opinion this property is, on the whole, a reasonable purchase at the agreed price of £xxxxxxxxx.

We found no evidence of any significant defects or shortcomings and providing the property is kept in good repair, we cannot foresee any special difficulties arising on resale in normal market conditions.

Main Walls - Rating: 2

It says the damp proof course is within 25mm of external ground levels - this could lead to damp. This is a risk to the building. The repairs are not serious or urgent, and are part of the normal maintainence.

Ivy can damage masonry and should be cut back. If you intend to retain this growth there is an increased risk of damage.

Not too worried about this... seems obvious about the Ivy outside, and the damp thing isn't urgent, it's just flagging up it for future reference I think


ELECTRICITY : Rating 3

... We do not know if there is a current test certificate
the electrical installation appears satisfactory with no obvious defects.
WE don't have specialist knowledge so can't comment on the servicability or safety

This is a risk to the building and to persons (seems obvious and standard??)
You should ask an approved electrician to look

GAS: Rating 3

We don't know of a service agreement or gas certificate for installation
Installation seems alright with no significant defects
Lots of it is hidden from view
We don't have specialist knowledge so can't say much more
Ask a gas safety person to look

Heating: Rating 3

Heating wasn't on at time - no obvious issues noticed
Ask a gas guy to come round to check

Water Heating: Rating 3

Couldn't see any leaks, we didnt test the system. get a gas man round



That's it

Everything else was a 1 - as in no issues
Those things i mentioned above seem very bland, basic and just general precautionary things. Similar to saying "Looks fine to me... but I'm not an expert!".

The house was built in 1986 and as stated it is in very good condition in my view.

The survey does say the conservatory may get damp or condensation and cold in winter as it's built to entirely different standards than a house. Again - that seems very general and what you'd expect.

Any thoughts?

Thanks

 

[sodthisforfun]

Fine, go ahead.
If worried, you can send a gas and electric chap around to inspect the safety. We had no certificates etc when we last sold, and the buyers sent someone around. All good.

 

[Doug99]

It doesn't take an expert to tell housebuyers that it could get damp and the water, gas, elec systems should be checked. A typical non commitive statement which probably costs a lot of ££ to commission.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Looks to me like they aren't qualified to do the report - waste of money. Complain.

ELECTRICITY

: Rating 3

... We do not know if there is a current test certificate
the electrical installation appears satisfactory with no obvious defects.
WE don't have specialist knowledge so can't comment on the servicability or safety

This is a risk to the building and to persons
You should ask an approved electrician to look

I could have written that from here.

 

[Notch7]

It always amazes me how its possible to create a great big thick report, that says almost nothing.

Cut n paste......a feature designed for surveyors reports.

What it does comment looks fine

 

[durhamplumber]

Installation seems alright with no significant defects
Lots of it is hidden from view
We don't have specialist knowledge so can't say much more

Rofl....top quality assessment then!!
So many of these so called proffessionals are a very expensive Joke

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Sounds like a money pit.

Only kidding, doesn't sound like anything serious to worry about. However, the report still leaves you non the wiser, and just advises the buyer to employ some proper experts. Probably compiled from the kerbside, while sitting in his silver Audi. (OK, that last bit was a bit of a generalisation )

 

[KenGMac]

OK, I can see the point of the Gas Safety check, as a rule the gas installation should be assessed by a competent person annually.

But?

Where did a report as regards the Electrical System pop in? as far as i know such a check is not a requirement to a normal homeowner, that is there is no requirement that I am aware of that demands an Electrical safety check.

Is the Electrical check a requirement of a house purchase?

OK as and when I undertake a so called "Risk Survey" in a commercial property there is in that scenario a requirement for a valid Electrical Test Certificate to be produced or obtained. such assessments run for several years.

But there is no requirement for a domestic dwelling, unless a rented property to have an Electrical test??

As for the rest of the blurb, as previously posted made up from a drop down box into the main body of the report. froth and bubbles introduced to pad out the report

 

[EFLImpudence]

Is the Electrical check a requirement of a house purchase?

No, but you are supposed to have documentation for work done since 2005.
If you don't have it, leave it to the buyer to commission an inspection if they wish.

But there is no requireent for a domestic dwelling, unless a rented property to have an Electrical test??

There is no requirement in rented property either but a landlord has a duty of care to ensure the installation is safe.
One way of showing this is to have an inspection with someone else's name to blame.

There is no such thing as an Electrical Safety Test like a Gas Safety Check.

 

[KenGMac]

It looks as if the drop down box, used to "pad out" the report needs upgrading.?

The Company involved has it appears done a copy and paste from some sort of Insurance Risk Survey Reporting platform which is Commercially orientated, and has little to do with Domestic situations?

 

[motorbiking]

The damp proof course is the only thing to consider and it may be worth keeping any flower beds clear to avoid rain water pooling.
If you have a chance for a 2nd visit - check if a modern consumer unit is fitted. It will have MCB/RCDs (big switches) rather than fuses. It may even have a date of install sticker. If its got a modern consumer unit, the chances are the electrics are ok. You don't say how old the house is.. but plenty of double sockets, modern light switches etc is also a good indicator.