Home Buyers Survey in Weybridge raises emergency health warning

This Home Buyers Survey in Weybridge called for an investigation by a specialist Surveyor to resolve potentially severe health risks

The Home Buyers Survey in Weybridge, Surrey warned that the cement fibre covered roof to the private garage at this 19th century apartment possibly contained asbestos. The Residential Surveyor urgently advised further surveyance from an asbestos expert.

Used in construction since ancient times, the substance has become associated with severe lung damage and death. As a result it has been legislated against heavily in recent decades and is no longer used when building new houses.

However, the material can still be found in many older properties. A HomeBuyer Report is the first step to ascertaining whether a building contains this potentially lethal substance.

Repairs to the property recommended by the Home Buyers Survey in Weybridge

Although not cited to be as urgent as the garage inspection, the RICS Chartered Surveyor did identify the following repair work that would need to be undertaken to the outside of the building in the future:

• Re-pointing a chimney stack 
• Re-pointing brickwork on the boundary wall
• Easing and adjusting a sash window 
• Rubbing down the weathered timber on the covered porch

The Surveyor said these repairs did not require immediate action but should be improved and could affect the market valuation of the property.

The inside of the property was remarked to be in generally good condition in the Home Buyers Survey in Surrey.

Garage access hindered

It was noted that stored goods in the garage prevented the surveyor from investigating the garage roof more closely. Home Buyers Surveys are considerably more thorough than mortgage valuations, but the Surveyor will not always remove fittings within the property to perform thorough structural checks. However, if there is anything that arouses suspicion, they will always provide recommendations for future investigations.

This is exactly what happened during this HomeBuyer Report in Surrey. Having identified the possibility of asbestos, the surveyor advised the buyer to contact a specialist Surveyor with knowledge and experience in this field.

As a result, the buyer can make sure they are not investing in a property that exposes their family to a potentially fatal health risk, or affects their own chances of selling in the future.