Cracks visible on internal walls

[barneybedrock]

Considering buying a Victorian terrace in Bristol which has been owned by same people for 60 years. Visited and noted some worrying signs (see pics). I couldn't see anything on external walls but they looked to have been repointed recently. Is it even worth getting a structural engineers report / RICS survey (or what would be the best report?) or is this a hard avoid? 

 

 

[Russell griffiths]

Depends what you want to do with it, I bet if you visited ten Victorian terraced houses in that road they would all be the same, unless there’s some large trees near this one I would think it’s fairly standard. 
 

have a good look outside, are the tops of the windows level, what about window cills, on the wonk, the benefit of a terrace is it’s held up on both sides. 
 

have a look at the neighbours houses, any movement ?

you need to remember there will be very little in the way of foundations under this place. 
 

walk along the street look for signs of men working, maybe carrying out a full refurb, ask to look in it, talk to the builders, what did they find when they stripped it out. 
 

are you going for the full strip out and re build ?

if it’s been in the same ownership for 60 years it will probably need it, are you prepared for this or do you just want to wall paper over them. 

 

[Mr Punter]

Well the good news is they haven't tried to cover it up.  Get a full survey and report.  Make sure it includes roof condition, timber condition, damp, dry rot and condition of brickwork.

[Spinny]

I would say look to get a proper SE report/survey that is going to give you thorough worthwhile information and the opportunity to sue the inspector/report writer/SE if they say it is ok but turns out to be a major problem.

I believe many 'house buyer' type surveys are designed to minimise cost and often have their content based on a minimal cosmetic viewing. All comments then end up being heavily caveated with multiple get out statements and clauses. So if you buy the house and it falls down you cannot take any action against the surveyor.

 

Any offers can and should be made subject to survey. Surveys are frequently used to renogotiate offers downwards of course so that the seller effectively pays for remediation work.

 

Ask the vendor/owner explicit questions (these should also be covered by any conveyencers questionnaire too) - when did these cracks appear ? when did you last decorate this room/area ? Are these cracks getting larger ? Show me your evidence - prior photos etc ? Have you had this looked at by an SE and if so do you have a report ? Have you repointed and repaired external cracks ? Can you show me prior photographs ? Knock on the neighbours door(s) and ask them if they have any cracking ?

 

Caveat emptor - I'd say it should probably be a buyers market at present but who knows.