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Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:52 pm
by LouiseM
We have just had a valuation report undetaken on a house we want to buy. The surveyor could not access the inspection chamber for the drainage so could not check it. The sellor 'believes that one may exist beneath the patio'.
What should we do about this? Should it have been paved over in the first place? Any advice on where we go from here would be REALLY appreciated.
Louise
Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 7:35 pm
by flowjoe
Louise
It is not uncommon to find chambers buried beneath patios/gardens etc, many properties pre 1937 don’t have access chambers at all. However many mortgage lenders now insist on pre-purchase surveys of drainage systems and most surveyors will cover their backs by recommending one.
You really require a CCTV Drain Survey of the system which can be carried out by making access into the soil vent pipe or possibly by passing a camera around the trap on a gully pot, it is difficult to say what is required without seeing the site but some small excavation works may be required.
If there are trees/shrubs/bushes local to the property or there is a possibility that the system runs beneath the driveway then it will be well worthwhile getting a local contractor to visit site to assess what is required to survey the system, ask your estate agent to recommend a contractor or try your local environmental health dep`t who they use.
I do 4/5 pre-purchase surveys a week, and you shouldn`t find anything to put you off buying the property, any defects found, if any should be covered by the current owners insurance (e.g root damage or damage due to vehicular movement) if not you will be in a position to negotiate the costs of any works required off the asking price. What you don’t want to find is that you have 2/3 K worth of drainage repairs needed in 12 months time and your insurers don’t want to know.
Hope this helps.
Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 11:03 am
by LouiseM
Thanks for your reply - very helpful info. I guess what you are saying is its best to get it looked at.
Thanks again. 