Survey of 5yr old Apartment?

[MattyB_]

I'm currently in the process of making an offer on a repossesed apartment, which is about 5 years old. When I went to view it, there were a few cracks around the windows, probably through settlement.

As the building itself isn't really the owners responsibility (?) does a survey still need to be done prior to purchase? Surely any issues with the building itself is the responsibility of the builders (or the maintenance company) especially as its not 10 years old?

[eldar]

Always get a survey, a proper (not the just the BS one, which is for their benefit, not yours), if you about to buy a house. Tells you if the house is a ringer or not, bit like a proper HPI check.

[V12Les]

If your refurring to the NHBC 10 year warrantee i wouldn't put to much faith in it. Belive me, the building will have to be in a serious condition before you'll see any action out of them, Same goes with the builder. A comprehensive survey is worth its money.

[dickbastardly]

You will need a survey for you mogtage! They will insist on one to check the property is worth what you are asking to borrow.
Andy

[davidjpowell]

If the apartment is only five years old and presuming these are hairline cracks, not 1/2 inch wide then you would likely be fine with the standard mortgage valuation survey. These are intended to pick up anything which will affect the value significantly or affect the banks security (ie it's falling down!).

[silverthorn2151]

I'm sorry but I must disagree.

Do NOT reply on the valuation. At All. it's not for your benefit whatsoever but the banks.

Also make no assumptions whatsoever about the possibility of an NHBC guarentee. There are a million reasons why a wall can be cracked, expecially near windows, and actually settlement is quite a way down the list.

Get a survey.

[davidjpowell]

silverthorn2151 said:

I'm sorry but I must disagree.

Do NOT reply on the valuation. At All. it's not for your benefit whatsoever but the banks.

Also make no assumptions whatsoever about the possibility of an NHBC guarentee. There are a million reasons why a wall can be cracked, especial near windows, and actually settlement is quite a way down the list.

Get a survey.

no need to be sorry! Different views are quite acceptable!

[silverthorn2151]

Indeed they are, and the fuel of friendly debate!