Condition of Home when Purchasing
The repairs here contemplated are such as might be required for damages arising from ordinary wear and tear, and might reasonably be demanded for an ordinary tenancy from year to year. Structural defects and drawbacks which, though not of a very serious nature, yet lessen appreciably the value of a house, are also noticed. But a house in which rot, wet or dry, has taken hold of the roof and floor titulars and other wood-work, is best avoided altogether, for in that case renewals are required rather than repairs; and as there is always the danger that all the rotten wood may not be entirely removed or all the fungi entirely eradicated, the new wood-work may be attacked. Timber, if suspected, should be probed with a knife, which will easily enter rotten wood. But if it has been painted several times it may have a hard skin, in which case tapping is a better test.
Preliminary Examination.—When a house is likely to be purchased or to be leased for many years, it should be inspected by a responsible building surveyor, as there are many details that require practical experience. If the lease or conveyance is burdened with a repairing covenant, the state of repair and structural defects become extremely important questions involving serious consequences. Very often, however, an intending tenant makes a preliminary examination himself, and. as some knowledge is necessary for that purpose, he may find the following hints useful. His examination should extend to every part and detail of the buildings and appurtenances from roof to cellar, for any defects that have not been noticed may have to be made good on leaving, even though they may have been caused by a previous tenant.
All should be briefly described when the landlord's attention is drawn to the repairs needed. It is best to commence with the main roof, lead-flats, servants' annexe, bay-windows, oriel roofs, and all external, and therefore particularly exposed parts, for these need the most careful examination.
In towns, where detached houses are exceptional, fire-walls are important; that is, the prolongation of the division or party walls up through and above the roofs, so as to prevent the spread of fire from adjoining buildings. This affects the rate of insurance. A convenient way of access to the roof available at all times is of much advantage for keeping gutters clean and for effecting repairs. The hinges of the trap-door in the ceiling giving access to the roof should be examined, and also the counterweight apparatus sometimes used to raise the trap-door. The condition of the chimneys, especially as regards their stonework or brickwork, the raping of fire-walls, and the pointing of mortar joints should not be neglected.