Home Buyers Land Themselves with Hefty Repair Bills

Buying a new home can be a very exciting life experience, but when the average repair bill for a recently purchased home is £4,000 you can understand how quickly that excitement turns into frustration. A survey from insurance company LV= has revealed house buyers spending thousands of pounds on repairs after discovering unexpected problems such as damp and structural defects only after moving into their home. The Repairs The survey found that more than 1,000 buyers had found damp which was painted over, and furniture or pictures being moved to cover damage. According to Selwyn Fernandes, managing director of LV= home insurance, said many mistakenly believe they can rely on sellers having responsibility to disclose any problems with property upfront, but it's the buyer's responsibility to investigate the condition of a property before buying it. What to look for when buying a property It's important to find any faults inside the house but don't forget about the outside too. The roof is one of the most crucial parts of the property. It's obviously quite difficult to pick up on everything, but there are a few things you can look out for and draw to a surveyor's attention:

• Check the brickwork - if the pointing is in a poor state, then damp will get in. Also check for staining in corners or below gutters
• Look in the loft/attic - check for cracks of daylight and whether there is adequate insulation
• Check the roof: ensure there are no missing tiles and that the roof isn't sagging. Is there any missing guttering? With a flat roof, check for cracks or bubbles
• Look for cracks in the external walls, this could mean subsidence
• Check for blocked or damaged drains
• Check for cover-ups such as paint or render application

When buying a property it is advised to hire a professional surveyor who can look over the house thoroughly. If you are one of the unlucky ones and have recently purchased a home with a roofing fault, give us a call and we can arrange one of our team to come and survey your roof. You can contact us on 01603 418818.