Guides · Damp guides
Should I buy a house with damp?
In short: Often yes, because many damp problems have simple causes and straightforward fixes, but you should find out what is causing it and what it will cost before you commit. A pre-purchase damp survey gives you a written report within 3 days, with a quote you can take to the seller or your lender.
What “damp noted” on a mortgage survey means
Mortgage valuations and general home surveys cover the whole property in limited time. If a moisture meter reads high, the standard response is to note damp and recommend a specialist. It tells you there may be a problem, not what it is or how serious. Moisture meters can also read high on salts or foil-backed wallpaper when the wall is dry.
Questions to answer before you buy
- What is causing the damp: rising damp, penetrating damp, condensation, a leak or a combination?
- Is it active, or historic damage from a problem that has been fixed?
- What work will put it right, and what will it cost?
- Is there an existing damp-proof course guarantee, and does it pass to you?
Getting a pre-purchase damp survey
Our pre-purchase damp survey is the same inspection as a standard damp survey, focused on the areas flagged in your survey. Because you don’t own the property yet, we arrange access through the estate agent, and we can’t move heavy furniture, lift floor coverings or open up walls; the report is clear about anything we couldn’t see.
It costs £119 and the written report is with you within 3 days. If you buy the property and go ahead with our quote, the £119 is deducted from the work.
Using the report
The report includes a quote for putting the damp right. Many buyers share it with the seller or estate agent to negotiate on price, or with their lender if the lender has asked for a specialist report. How you use it is up to you.
When to think twice
Damp is rarely a reason on its own to walk away, but be cautious if the report finds damp over a large area with more than one cause, structural problems alongside it, or a cellar that floods. In those cases, get the full cost in writing before you exchange.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a house with damp: FAQs.
Will damp stop me getting a mortgage?
Usually not, but some lenders ask for a specialist damp report before going ahead, and occasionally hold back part of the loan until work is done.
Does an existing damp-proof course guarantee transfer to me?
It depends on the company that issued it and its terms. Ask the seller for the paperwork; our own guarantees pass to the new owner at no charge.
Do I need the seller's permission for a damp survey?
Yes. We arrange access through the estate agent, who will check with the seller.
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