Building and pest negotiate repairs

Hi All,

Had a building a pest report done in Brisbane recently and it came back with a few potential major issues. House is almost 50 years old.

1. The bathroom downstairs has water egress. Apparently homes of this age didn't have water barriers back then?? (To fix will need to redo bathroom - we had planned to do this at a later stage.
2. Rock retaining wall showing crack and movement.
3. Flushing above an upstairs extension is inadequate leading to water ingress.
4. Cladding on top shows twisting and springing of chamfers as well as requiring re-sanding and painting.

Not a major defect but house is most likely to have asbestos sheets in ceilings and some walls. Apparently as long as you don't cut or drill into it, then it is fine. Their are cracks in which the owners have just used regular plaster so it stands out a bit as it is not plasterboard. Can we still put up picture hooks? or would it be better long-term to replace with plasterboard?

Solicitor informs we can either break contract due to issues or work with agent to come to an agreement. This is our third place that has failed and B&P in Brisbane. The is the better of the three reports to date. We have used the same inspector and starting to think that he cost estimates are worst case guesses. 45k in this instance. The house is 600k. We could do a bit of work ourselves.

Thinking of sending an email to agent listing the above and trying to either have owner pay for repairs or get price discount. Have heard it is better to get price discount as if owner fixes could be dodgy and warranty of work will be in their name?

Look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we should proceed.

Thanks

 

You are not buying a new house. It’s 50 yo. Nevertheless, water barriers were installed 50 years ago. These have probably failed.

See if you can get some money off via negotiating. You aren’t getting $45K off. Ask your inspector if these are typical issues for houses of this age and type for the area. Use his feedback in your negotiations.

The presence of asbestos is not a defect.

 

Hi,

Thanks for the response. I'm not too fussed on bottom bathroom as it will probably be redone at some stage. Is it possible to fix water barriers? Inspector seemed to think it was a total rebuild.

Didn't expect to get 45k off. Might see if we can extend building and pest clause and get some people out to quote on repairs for major issues and use that to negotiate. I think inspector meant that with all major defects potentially that amount....

With asbestos just not sure if you can put up picture hooks etc. The cracks etc wouldn't pose a risk to health? Would look at removing it but not sure on cost?

 

Inspector is correct.

Leave the asbestos alone or have it professionally removed.