Asbestos risk found during a Property Survey in Surrey - Should the buyers rethink their decision?
The maisonette, valued at around £165,000, sits over the top two floors of a three-storey building. While completing this Home Buyers Survey in Surrey the RICS Surveyor identified three separate cases of asbestos on the property, advising that, where possible, appropriate remedial work was undertaken to safely remove this harmful substance.
The asbestos concerns were identified alongside a number of other defects and problems, marked as Condition Rating 3, and therefore requiring urgent action:
- A timber door to the right of the front porch opens to an external store cupboard. The ceiling in this cupboard is made of cement fibre, which the HomeBuyer Report states is likely to contain asbestos.
- The ceiling showed signs of water damage, probably caused by leaking pipes going into the bathroom above. The Surrey Home Buyers Survey suggested that this was to be inspected by a specialist asbestos surveyor, and afterwards further investigations into the dampness should be undertaken by reputable plumbers.
- Timber work above the cement fibre was also found to be rotten, and needed replacing once the asbestos issues had been safely resolved.
- The Home Buyers Survey in Surrey stated that the cement board soffits running outside the property were also recommended for review by an asbestos surveyor, despite not being inside the property and therefore being unlikely to be a major health risk unless disturbed.
- The garage had a corrugated cement board roof, potentially containing asbestos, and also warranting further investigation by an expert.
As a point of potential interest to the purchasers, the Home Buyers Survey in Surrey confirmed that there was no obvious sign of any central heating in the property.
Further to addressing his concerns relating to the Asbestos danger, a number of less urgent, but nonetheless significant findings on this Surrey Home Buyers Survey included:
- The Home Buyers Survey in Surrey stated that there was mould growth in the bathroom ceiling, caused by bad ventilation. A vent system to the ceiling was suggested, which would also be complemented by the regular opening of the bathroom window.
- A number of stairs identified as being loose needed to be secured, and if damaged, replaced entirely.
- The mains fuse box was described in the Home Buyers Survey as being out of date, and it was recommended that a modern unit should replace it.
A number of less urgent cosmetic issues were identified, but their impact was negligible in comparison to the severity of the asbestos-related concerns.
If you are buying an older residence and are concerned about the presence of asbestos any other major issues, contact Fridaysmove and book a Property Survey in Surrey today.
