Very narrow gap between two rear dormers – common or a red flag?

[Fionameg14]

Hi everyone,


We’re in the process of buying a 4-bedroom dormer bungalow and our survey has highlighted a concern that we’re trying to understand better.


The neighbour has built a newer rear dormer and extension, leaving a very narrow gap between their dormer and the dormer on the house we’re buying.


Our surveyor was concerned about this area. She felt the flashing had been installed to a fairly basic standard and recommended that we obtain further advice from a roofing contractor. She also noted that the narrow gap could make future inspection, maintenance and repairs difficult, and that there may be an increased risk of water ingress if the flashing fails.


We’re arranging for a roofer to inspect it, but while we’re waiting I’d be interested to hear from anyone who’s dealt with something similar.

• Is this type of detail common?
• If the flashing ever needed replacing properly, how would roofers normally access such a narrow gap?
• Have you seen situations like this that turned out to be manageable, or did they become an ongoing problem?

We really like the house, but this is the one issue that’s making us question whether we’re taking on a significant long-term problem. Would something like this make you think twice about buying, or is it often something that can be put right with the correct roofing work?


I’ve attached the survey photos. Any advice or experience would be greatly appreciated.

 

[^woody^]

There is nothing there that should raise any concerns.

Yes, many inexperienced surveyors will state 'might-be's' and 'could do's', but such statements could be made about anything.

Rather than a generic "may allow for leaks" - which a bit of a nonsense statement to which the question is "Well, is it leaking?", you really want to know what, in the surveyor's opinion, is actually wrong with it. What she's trying to do is pass the buck (the risk and the responsibility) onto someone else, when in fact it's her job to inspect and diagnose problems not hypothetical things that may or may not go wrong at some undetermined time in the future.

Be wary of relying on the inspection of a roofer, unless you know and trust them 100%. Roofers would love to tell you about lots of work that in their opinion might need doing, and for which they will be paid.

The whole point of instructing a surveyor is to get qualified independent advice.

What has been said about the legalities of the construction and location? Position of both dormers relative to the boundary, Party Wall Agreement(s), planning and building control approvals for the sale property and neighbouring dormer and extension.