Unsafe property examined during HomeBuyer Report in Oxford

Home Buyers Survey in Oxford on £96,000 ground floor flat reveals a host of potentially fatal safety problems

During this Home Buyers Survey in Oxford, serious issues were found relating to the utility services of the building.

The mains gas supply was discovered to have no current test certificate, meaning that an immediate inspection should be commissioned, and any necessary repairs undertaken straight away.  Without exaggeration, gas leaks can cause health issues, injury and death, which is why a Surveyor will recommend an additional visit by a specialist for such a seemingly trivial issue as missing paperwork.

Dangerous electrical system

The Home Buyers Survey in Oxford also found that the electrical system was not certified or covered by a current inspection, and was also missing miniature circuit breakers, which are a very strongly recommended safety precaution that can prevent death or injury by fire or serious electric shock.

Furthermore, the surveyor was unable to determine whether there was a residual current device present, and if this was not present this would further increase the potential dangers of electrocution. The HomeBuyer Report stated that the electrical system needed to be inspected, tested and certified by an appropriately qualified electrician with the utmost urgency.

Unchecked water and heating systems

The water and heating systems were also found to need inspection and certification. Both water and heating systems usually need to be checked every year in order to avoid damage to the property.

The HomeBuyer Report in Oxford also found that the water system was overly-reliant on the boiler for heating water in the property, with no backup system installed should the boiler experience problems. For this reason, the Home Buyers Survey also pointed out that the boiler also needed to have a regular service.

Damp wall problems

The damp-proof coursing (DPC) was found to be too low to the outside ground, and the Oxford Home Buyers Survey suggested that the ground should be lowered. This can lead to internal damp if there is not a gap of at least 150mm (two bricks), because rainwater and snow can get into the wall above the DPC.  This is a common problem in houses in the UK that have raised ground around the external walls.

Other, less severe defects identified by the surveyor undertaking this Home Buyers Survey in Oxford included:

• The design of the drainage system will make it hard to easily monitor on a regular basis. Without regular checks, any drainage issues may go unnoticed, and may lead to water damage to the building's structure.
• The clients should check that the double glazing in the property is guaranteed or has a warranty
• The leasehold nature of the ownership of the property should be fully understood by the clients, as this can seriously affect the value of the property.

Home Buyers Surveys in Oxford, and across Oxfordshire, are a cost-effective and highly-recommended tool to help you to establish the safety, construction and legal issues of a property before you purchase.