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Don’t get caught out by property faults in a rush to beat the stamp duty deadline


Y


OU DECIDE to make the move or invest in a holiday home on the coast, now is a great time with


the current incentives around. However, a sobering statistic is that 1 in 4 sales fall through, costing the homebuyer on average £2700. Property issues can crop up pre or post sale, ranging from new build snags to more serious considerations for older properties. Any conveyancing solicitor or mortgage


broker will advise you to do your homework. After all, you and the lender are investing money into an asset and their job is to make sure the investment is sound. But there are checks you can do yourself for your own peace of mind during viewings.


PROBLEMS TO LOOK FOR IN OLDER HOMES Older homes are generally more prone to problems after sale. You may not pick this up when viewing and making offers, but, after moving in, they may become apparent. Which include most of the issues you may experience in a new build.


Boilers and heating systems are a common issue. Unlike new builds, with a new energy efficient combi boiler and thermostatically controlled radiators, that Victorian property may have a boiler that has not been serviced or maintained in years. You need to assess whether replacing would be a better option than making do with stored hot water and an inefficient and expensive heating system.


Damp may be an issue. Don’t forget to look up! Many homeowners see damp as a common issue in older properties. This can be due to condensation which can affect airtight, modern homes. Water ingress from roofs and foundations needs to be remedied, but better air circulation can often improve damp and mould caused by condensation. A reputable builder or surveyor can help identify any issues.


Bathrooms. You need to check WCs, bathrooms and en-suite shower rooms carefully for functionality and aesthetics. New homeowners claim that low water pressure, faulty cisterns and leaking shower cubicles are the most common faults.


Electricals. While electrical checks must always be carried out by a professional, there are some visible signs of potential problems you can look out for. Singe


marks on light fitting and switches and sockets or visible loose fittings and cracked socket housings are warning signs of poor maintenance and need to be raised with the vendor’s representative.


COMMON ISSUES IN NEW BUILDS Like any home, new builds can have defects from minor to serious, but the good news is that it is incumbent on your developer to fix these quickly and you can report faults for up to two years. These are some of the most common things to check out.


External doors and windows. New homeowners often have issues with new windows and doors. We have heard stories of French doors “moving” in new homes so they are difficult to close and lock. Trickle vents in windows can be badly fitted and we have seen reports of condensation within double glazed panes.


Internal doors. As homes “dry out” it’s often inevitable that internal doors move and may need adjusting or removing and planing to make them fit correctly. This is one of the more common complaints in new homes.


Kitchens. The heart of the home and one that you will probably spend a lot of time in. Homeowners often point to multiple issues here with kitchen taps, sinks, issues with tiling and finish. Other problems like no holes to accommodate the pipes and cables for washing machines and dishwashers in kitchen units are common. Again, a site foreman or one of the team can easily sort this for you providing you report it promptly. Kitchen units, like the property’s internal and external doors, may need some adjustments too.


Reception rooms. Common issues here include ill-fitting electrical points, low quality floor fittings. If you’ve paid extra for these, you can take action but longer term, many new home owners upgrade flooring upstairs and downstairs.


TYPES OF PROPERTY SURVEYS At their most basic, mortgage companies will ask for mortgage valuations, also known as Level One, this is conducted by a surveyor to provide the lender with a level of confidence that the property is free from major issues. Secondly, a home buyer report probes


deeper and looks beyond residuals, comparisons and postcodes. These are sometimes referred to as Level Two surveys. Finally, a full structural survey, now called


a Building Survey, will provide a detailed report on a house. For new homes, a Level One survey will


usually suffice if the developer is reputable and registered with the NHBC. Without a doubt though, you will need to go through a process of ‘snagging’ throughout the property to highlight problems needing remedial work by the developer in a timely fashion. Snagging is simply a way of checking


that your new home is up to standard. This means that everything works and looks as it should in aesthetic terms. Whichever survey you choose during the buying process, it will identify some potential issues. However, this, in all probability will be after you are already way down the line. There are businesses that do house


condition or snagging checks before you commit. These are usually conducted by a professional that acts on behalf of you, the buyer and not the lender, developer or estate agent. The beauty of having an independent house check is that you are completely in-the-know before committing to a purchase that could cost you more money in the long run or even prevent you letting your home out in a timely manner. Independent property checkers are


experts that have a checklist of at least 150 checks including interacting with fixtures and fittings. Some also provide a comprehensive report with photos, which you can refer back to time and time again while you are deciding on a property.


Property is a major investment and you need to differentiate in a new build and older home whether the issues are serious (subsidence and Japanese knotweed) or minor (low water pressure, doors that don’t fit snugly) and take expert advice throughout the home buying process.


Brightchecker are independent, professional property checkers that work on behalf of the buyer and specialise in property condition checks before buyers commit to a purchase. Checks start at £149.99 + VAT for internal checks on a property with up to 4 bedrooms. Visit:


brightchecker.com/homebuyers


Please call 0800 0096 856 or contact info@brightchecker.com to discuss your requirements.


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