Mortgage survey blackmail - is there an alternative?

[alison]

Thanks all for the advice - to get such speedy and detailed replies from such obviously committed and altruistic people really warms the cockles, I'm getting quite emotional.

Back to reality with a thump - have talked to the most recent tenant of the property and it sounds like it may be a lot damper and leakier than the agent is letting on and the recent redecoration reveals. I shall proceed with great caution, armed with the comments above. I hadn't thought about taking on too much of a renovation job for my first purchase of an old property, but the ex-tenant was also regaling me with tantalising tales of lost fireplaces and concealed timberwork waiting to be uncovered. Hm, I feel as if I may be coming down with some sort of bug...

 

[DaveBrigg]

Our first survey had to be the one asked for by the building society - completely inadequate, insisting that all floors were replaced (solid 16th C boards, although the sometimes creak a bit), damp proof etc. We then got a surveyor with experience of listed buildings, who came with a structural engineer and told us what the builder and conservation officer had already stated. The conservation officer suggested we tell the BS that some of the work 'recommended' would be illegal because of the listed status, and offered to speak to them if necessary.
The BS wanted a retention, but I argued that we needed the money to pay for the renovations, and wouldn't engage a builder unless we had the money to pay. They relented, and stumped up the cash.
As for the tales of damp - our house had water running down the walls and squelchy carpets. It's now warm and dry, thanks to advice from this forum. The roofing and Lime plaster wasn't cheap, but unblocking the gutters and drains and removing plastic off the floor solved most of the problems and cost nowt. Good luck with whatever you decide.