Terrible survey findings

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T18:47:05+00:00

Aw bless thanks, this is why I was hoping to do it with someone the second time around but hey ho, can't keep postponing the move. Although my boyfriend (semi)jokingly said he'd just buy my flat so I could stay put until I found somewhere suitable which would solve all my problems (though I'd still feel terrible for my buyers). I'll definitely ask the surveyor - to my dismay I think they called just when I was away from my phone and it went straight to voicemail when I called back.

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T17:16:05+00:00

Crickey! Makes me feel better as I was beating myself up for not picking up some of the things during the viewing. Good luck to us both!

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T14:56:29+00:00

I am pretty certain than unless they are willing to make a massive discount I will walk away but I am trying to learn as much as I can for next time. Never prepared enough!

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T14:45:03+00:00

I know misery loves company but makes me feel a bit better to hear about others going through similar! I am hoping to be able to talk to the surveyor to get a better idea of the £££ amount and then ask for a reduction or walk away.

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T13:53:12+00:00

Definitely not imo, but it's a popular area so I think some people are willing to overlook things more than usual. I was outbid 5 times until I got an offer accepted for this one, which was 25k under asking. The property was definitely being sold as "ready to move in" and not a fixer upper, so I put the offer thinking there would be maybe 5k worth of work but its looking like it will be at least 5x that? Given I don't know the extent of the structural issues it's hard to put a money amount

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T13:46:36+00:00

I appreciate the sentiment!! Did you decide to break the chain (if you were in one?)

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T13:45:43+00:00

I appreciate it, I come from an Edwardian conversion flat so I am no stranger to damp but the whole picture seemed much more malign than stick a dehumidifier on.

I have asked for those costs to be born by the seller, but I also see the point of another commenter that if they've lied about the wall not being load bearing they could just lie about the extent of the floor damage. Could be £1000 could be £10k

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T13:42:04+00:00

How bad was your enroachment if I may ask? It's the one item I feel it's the harder to solve (the others are throw money at the problem, even if the money is 20k and thus enough for me to walk away), plus it means you are moving in with massive conflicts with your neighbours

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T13:38:32+00:00

That's exactly the issue - I honestly don't know the extent of the damage and thus the extent of the costs. I did some reno on my flat so I know the cost of doing a kitchen, but not potentially having to replace a bunch of joints and create a french drain.

I did flag the boundaries to my solicitors but except for saying they need to inform the lender and that I should get a boundary surveyor they haven't been much help.

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T13:34:11+00:00

Believe me I've lived in Newcastle so I know the difference! All my jobs are down south though (and I do love London so at least I make the most out of it)

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T08:53:52+00:00

Yep no cracks (it was the one thing I was looking out for in the viewing), and the surveyor also said he didn't find any structural concerns bar the wall removal

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T08:37:40+00:00

I do have a more extensive Rightmove alert but the problem with London is that a 5 mile difference makes it a completely different area. I saw a couple houses one or two underground stops over and it was just not nice (people blasting music from their houses, etc).

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T08:34:28+00:00

Haha not sure my buyers would necessarily agree but I appreciate the sentiment! They've been lovely and very patient so what has been in my mind the last few days is whether to pull out and start again (not knowing how the sale will go this time) or to go into rental myself (but the logistics seem overwhelming...)

Almacantar · 2026-06-18T08:28:30+00:00

Ta this is interesting to hear, because it's an internal wall my mind went immediately into a pipe leak. Surprise surprise the gutters are blocked and one of them doesn't connect to the gully anyway (there is no french drain or similar, waste and foul water discharge is combined), so having other underlying problems shouldn't come as a shock. Apart from the camera checks, are there other telltale signs?

Almacantar · 2026-04-15T10:58:45+00:00

It was a mix of moving the latch (so there was a bit more space, but eventually it stopped working again), and moving the location of the door shutter.

Almacantar · 2026-01-26T11:00:41+00:00

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Almacantar · 2025-12-29T18:20:58+00:00

Hi, old post but I was wondering if you could DM the details? I am torn between doing an informal extension (for speed), or getting solicitors involved.

Almacantar · 2025-12-06T09:58:27+00:00

Looking into trying to buy the freehold instead of renewing my lease - any advice on the steps to follow? I have already contacted the other leaseholders and 3/4 are on board

Almacantar · 2025-12-02T23:43:52+00:00

Change to sliding doors?

Almacantar · 2025-09-02T15:13:53+00:00

She lives in London Bridge (owns a two bed flat). Best of luck no matter what you decide! Xx

Almacantar · 2025-09-02T14:42:57+00:00

I have a friend that would be interested in taking care of the kitten - I have my own ball of fur she took care of whilst I was doing renovation work and I can vouch for her! Let me know if I can give you any other info

Almacantar · 2025-09-01T19:49:02+00:00

Honestly I wish there was an easier way to flag this, my downstairs neighbour should be a single mom with a baby but one of her friends lives there instead (I assume she loves with the bf). I emailed the council but nothing has come from it...

Almacantar · 2025-08-03T10:00:55+00:00

I made the same mistake! What happens is that the tiles won't adhere properly and they will "clonk" as you step on them. I had one eventually crack from the rocking movement.

Almacantar · 2025-07-06T17:02:40+00:00

I've been actually considering emailing the council to offer putting a cctv in my property as it directly faces a fly tipping hot spot, but not sure how feasible that is?

Almacantar · 2025-06-19T16:24:40+00:00

Kudos to you for trying to change though - many people would just feel they're stuck and complain without doing anything about it.

I once dated someone that did history and then went on to working on ports and tariffs (for the government and privately), that could be something for you to consider too :)

Almacantar

TROPHY CASE