5 problems to look out for when buying a house – and how to avoid them

Finding your dream home should be exciting, but a few unwelcome surprises can quickly complicate the purchase process.  

Common problems when buying a house include unexpected survey findings, short lease terms, missing building safety documents, invasive plants and property disputes. Identifying these issues early can help you understand your options and reduce avoidable delays. 

If you're buying a property, Katrina Lamont, Director of Legal Operations at Eden, shares five issues to look out for, what they could mean for your purchase and how your conveyancer can help.  

A property might look perfect when you view it, but a survey can reveal issues that aren't immediately obvious. These could include damp, subsidence, roof damage or another issue that needs further investigation. 

What does this mean for your purchase? 

Depending on the findings, you may need to arrange specialist investigations, discuss repairs with the seller, or reconsider whether the property is right for you. 

Something flagged on your survey doesn’t automatically mean there’s something wrong with the property. But it does give you more information about its condition so you can make an informed decision. 

Katrina says: "A viewing cannot tell you everything about a property's condition, so it's really important that people get a survey as soon as you’ve instructed your conveyancer.  A surveyor's physical inspection of the property is vital to get a full picture of what you're buying."  

How can you avoid delays?  

Consider arranging an appropriate survey early in the process. If it identifies anything concerning, seek advice from the relevant specialist and let your conveyancer know if the findings could affect your purchase. 

If you're buying a leasehold flat, it's important to understand how many years are left on the lease. This is the period during which you have the right to occupy the property. 

Leasehold properties are owned for a fixed term under a lease term, and the remaining length can have implications for the property's value and mortgage options as well as the potential cost of extending the lease. 

What does this mean for your purchase? 

A shorter lease doesn't automatically mean you should walk away, but it is something to investigate early. Extending a lease may be possible, but the options available and costs involved will depend on the property's circumstances. 

Katrina says: "The lease term on your property matters because this can affect your mortgage and options available to you as a buyer. As a lease term gets shorter, the property can become more difficult to sell and mortgage lenders typically have minimum lease requirements. Any lease with less than 99 years remaining should be investigated and a conveyancer can support with the precise lease term, whether your mortgage lender's requirements are met, and if the agreed price reflects the shorter lease." 

What should you check before buying a leasehold flat? 

Ask the estate agent about the remaining lease term before making an offer, where possible. Once you've instructed your conveyancer, they can review the lease and explain any issues that could affect your purchase. 

If the lease is shorter than expected, finding out early gives you more time to understand your options and any additional costs. 

Buying a flat in a taller residential building can involve more than checking the lease and arranging a mortgage. Depending on the building, your conveyancer and mortgage lender may need additional safety information and documentation may be needed as part of the purchase. 

What does this mean for your purchase? 

If the information isn't easily available, your conveyancer may need to request further documents or clarification. Your mortgage lender may also need to review the information before it can proceed.  

Finding and reviewing these documents can take time, particularly if several parties need to provide information. 

Katrina explains: "With the introduction of the Building Safety Act, conveyancing for leasehold flats in buildings over 11 meters or 5 storeys is more complex. Additional confirmation is needed of Leaseholder deed and Landlord's certificates and your lender has to be satisfied with the safety status of the building. Often clients will be the first to see the building, so it's worth bearing in mind if it is over 5 storeys that your conveyancer will need to know this early to avoid delays." 

How can you avoid delays? 

If you're buying a flat, ask the estate agent and your conveyancer whether any additional building safety checks or documentation may apply. It's worth establishing what's needed for the specific property early on, to avoid delays later in the transaction.  

A garden can be a big selling point when you’re looking for a home, but it’s worth checking whether there are any issues with plants that could spread or require specialist management. 

Japanese knotweed and bamboo can both raise questions during a property transaction, although they are different plants and need to be assessed separately. 

Some varieties of bamboo spread aggressively and can be difficult to control. Japanese knotweed can also require specialist assessment and management, particularly where there are concerns about its growth or potential impact on nearby structures. 

What does this mean for your purchase? 

The presence of bamboo doesn't automatically mean there's a problem with a property or that your mortgage will be affected. However, further information or specialist advice may be needed to understand the situation before progressing.  

Katrina advises: "Bamboo has become a new concern in recent years. Sellers are currently under no obligation to declare bamboo on property information forms, but this fast-growing plant can potentially cause damage to properties and be costly to eliminate." 

If there are concerns, a specialist can help you understand the potential risks and costs. Your conveyancer can explain any relevant legal issues and help you understand what information is needed for your transaction.   

What should you check before buying?  

Look out for signs of spreading plants when viewing the property. If you have concerns about bamboo or Japanese knotweed, ask the seller for further information and consider seeking specialist advice. 

A disagreement over a garden fence or property boundary might seem like a separate issue from buying or selling a home. But if a dispute is relevant to the property, it can become important when the time comes to sell. 

As a buyer, you may want to understand what happened, whether the disagreement has been resolved, and if it could affect your use or enjoyment of the property.  

What does this mean for your purchase? 

Depending on the circumstances, a dispute may lead to further questions from the buyer or their conveyancer. 

Katrina explains: "If there’s an existing dispute involving a property, it’s important that your conveyancer knows about it early. Buyers may need further information about the disagreement, while sellers must answer relevant property disclosure questions accurately. Depending on the circumstances, your conveyancer may also need to notify the mortgage lender because the issue could affect its valuation of the property." 

How can you avoid delays? 

Raise concerns about boundaries or disagreements with the seller so you can understand the situation before deciding how to proceed.  

Although a conveyancer can explain the legal implications and help progress the transaction, they can't personally resolve a disagreement between neighbours. If you know about an existing dispute, tell your conveyancer early so they can explain what information is needed and what happens next. 

Not every unexpected issue means a purchase will fall through, across the UK the average fall-through rate is roughly one in three. However, many of the issues that cause transactions to fall through can be investigated and resolved, and finding them early makes all the difference.  

Here are three ways to help keep your house move on track:  

1. Get all of the information you can about the property before you instruct your conveyancer 
2. Share information and communicate early and often with your lawyer 
3. Raise any concerns or questions as soon as they arise  

Buying a home will always involve some uncertainty, but asking the right questions and sharing information early can help you understand what lies ahead – and avoid any unnecessary stress along the way.