Bielby's Blog - 10 Property Defects That Could Scupper Your Sale

10 Property Defects That Could Scupper Your Sale (and Give Your Buyer the Heebie Jeebies)

You’ve finally got an offer, the champagne’s in the fridge, and you’re already Googling removal boxes… then the survey lands. Suddenly your “characterful period home” is apparently “a damp ridden liability with structural concerns”. Buyers panic, mortgages wobble, and you’re left wondering if you should’ve just bought a tent.

To save you the heartache, here are ten common defects that can send your sale into meltdown – and how to head them off before the panic sets in.

1. Roof Woes

Missing tiles, sagging timbers or a bit of light “indoor rain” are classic buyer deterrents. Surveyors love to point them out, and buyers love to panic. A quick repair now is cheaper than an emergency discount later.

2. The Dreaded Damp Patch

That faint musty smell? Buyers can detect it from 30 paces. They’ll imagine a full blown swamp under the floorboards (even if it’s just a blocked gutter).

3. Cracks of Doom

Every old house moves a bit, but surveyors like to measure cracks with scientific precision… and buyers assume the whole place is sinking into oblivion.

4. Wiring from the Dark Ages

Fuse boxes older than the Beatles’ first album raise eyebrows. If your electrics look like they belong in a museum, consider updating (or at least getting a safety certificate).

5. Plumbing with Personality

Clanking pipes, low pressure, or lead supply lines? Nothing screams “negotiation opportunity” louder to a buyer than an ancient bathroom suite that hisses at you.

6. Windows on the World… of Rot

Rotten sills or misted double glazing are like bad teeth – instantly noticeable and off putting. Easy to fix, but buyers will mentally knock thousands off.

7. Boiler Blues

A boiler older than most first?time buyers and no service record? That’s basically an invitation for a price chip. Get it serviced, stick the certificate on the fridge, and bask in smugness.

8. Septic Tank Surprises

If your property isn’t on mains drainage, the septic tank can cause chaos. Buyers (and lenders) will want proof it’s compliant with current regulations – and nobody enjoys hearing the phrase “overflow issues” during a viewing.

9. Paperwork Purgatory

That loft conversion your uncle did in 2002? Lovely – but where’s the building regs certificate? Missing documents cause more panic than actual defects.

10. Boundary Bother

That fence you’ve been arguing about with your neighbour? Expect it to come up. Buyers don’t fancy inheriting a Cold War over a strip of grass.

How to Keep Your Sale on Track

• Fix the obvious stuff – you’ll thank yourself later.
• Have your paperwork ready (guarantees, permissions, the lot).
• Be upfront with your agent – surprises are best avoided on survey day.
• And finally, remember: while most issues can be managed, some (like Japanese knotweed) can completely scupper a mortgage for several years – so know what you’re dealing with early on.