"John" wrote in message
...

"Harry Ziman" hziman at clara dot co dot uk wrote in message
...
"waz" wrote in message
om...
We are in the process of buy a flat, which is in a converted house,
and about 100 years old. There are 4 flats in the block, with the
share of freehold split across them.

As there were 4 flats in the converted house, our surveyor said that a
full structural survey would be very expensive, and almost impossible
to complete, as access to all parts of the building would be
restricted therefore we opted for a homebuyer's survey.


SNIP

.

The bit about the insurance company is very important in my opinion -
you
could have problems if you decide to change. You may also find it
difficult
getting insurance.

With regard to value/resale, talk to a valuer or an independent estate
agent
if you know one you can trust, but follow your instincrs at the end of
the
day. You do not have to buy this flat if you don't want to.

In any event you have should wait to see the written report, but it
sounds
as if the cracks are only superficial - certainly at the hairline stage
nobody would worry and all the studies next door suggest that the
property
has been properly investigated.

I am not a professional or amateur surveyor, but hope these remarks are
of
use!


It may not be a bad idea to ask another insurance company if they would
take
on the risk of the property to assess the potential problems which "may"
happen in the future. If they won't give cover then you would be well
advised to walk away now.


All surveyors cover their arses, if they are anything like the ones I've had
dealings with, so if this surveyor is saying in his report that they are
superficial, then I'd be more than happy to believe that he was telling the
truth.

The professionals (including local authority searches) I was involved with
gave so many caveats against this and that, I'm surprised anyone buys a
house, a potential site of contaminated industrial land turned a former
village blacksmiths shop, remedial bracing to our roof was seen as a
negative, even with supporting documentation and building control approval
and yes it was fine (even if the structural surveyor said that while
covering his back against litigation).

If your mortgage company is happy to lend to you, then I wouldn't be
worried, they baulk at giving money to problem properties.
--
Big Al