Find the best estate agent near you Start here
Red flags on a house survey can make or break a property deal. Buyers often get cold feet if problems arise from a survey and it can lead to sales falling through. We explain the common red flags on a house survey to beware of and what to do next.
KEY INFORMATION
Here are some of the most common red flags on house surveys:
Find and compare estimates from Asbestos Surveyors near you.
If your survey highlights red flags, here’s what you need to do.
If your house survey results have flagged issues, ask your surveyor to go through the survey report with you so you get a comprehensive overview of the condition of the property and understand what the issues are and their implications.
The surveyor may be willing to walk around the property with you again, if you didn’t arrange to do so in advance.
Some surveys are more thorough than others. Most rank the problems in order of severity and urgency. A Homebuyer survey (a RICS Home Survey Level 2) rates defects with a traffic light system while a full building survey (a RICS Home Survey Level 3) is more thorough and goes into detail about the defect itself and advises you on the next steps you should take.
If the report has flagged something that needs further investigation, the surveyor should be able to tell you what they mean, whether it is a major or minor issue, and recommend what to do next.
Your surveyor should answer any questions you have regarding the survey report at no extra cost.
After speaking to your surveyor, you may feel reassured and informed enough to proceed with the purchase. If not, now is the time to call on the experts to investigate further.
Find a specialist, tradesman or builder to give their opinion on the severity of the problem and how quickly it would need remedying. They can put things into perspective and help you feel more positive about your dream home. Or they may scare you off completely. But at least you’ll have had the reassurance of a second opinion before you walk away.
It could also be that your surveyor identifies structural issues and advises you to have a more detailed structural inspection.
The surveyor may flag the potential risk and/or likelihood of a particular item containing asbestos.
Get expert advice and treatment of damp, invasive species, spray foam insulation and more
Get at least two quotes, so you can compare scope and price. Always use someone impartial – i.e. not a tradesman that the seller or their estate agent recommends.
Establish whether you could do the work over time (and so save up/budget for it) or whether it needs doing urgently.
Try to get quotes in a timely fashion so the seller does not get frustrated and starts looking for another buyer.
If your survey uncovers issues, you can use it to renegotiate the price you’re willing to pay.
Your offer is Subject to Contract (STC) and you’re not legally bound to buy the property until the point of exchange.
So at this point it is reasonable for you to go back to the estate agent with this new information and a revised offer.
But when it comes to how big a discount you can get, there are no rules. It depends on how much the seller wants to sell, how much both parties are willing to compromise and comes down to negotiation. If you’re buying in a market where properties are in short supply, for example, your seller is in a better position and they could refuse to give you any discount.
Don’t be shy about renegotiating on the price but keep it sensible and in line with costs of the work needed. You could share the relevant extracts of the survey with the estate agent and seller, with the quotes for work that you have, to show there is a valid reason to renegotiate the price.
In some cases you may want the vendor to fix the problem(s) flagged in the survey themselves, before you exchange contracts. This is especially reasonable if the survey report suggests the value of the property is impacted by the problems identified.
This work could form part of the contract specifics. Speak to your conveyancing solicitor about the best way to handle this.
You’ll want to get evidence work is done to a good standard, in line with regulations, and get a copy of any receipts or warranties.
Get instant quotes from regulated and reviewed conveyancing solicitors that cover your area. Our customers save on average £490.
26% of residential property sales fell through in 2025 before completion, according to Quick Move. Of these, 18% transactions fell through when a buyer pulled out or failed in an attempt to renegotiate the purchase price after survey.
If you get a bad house survey report, there is no right or wrong about what you do next. It’s a personal choice, based on the information you have to hand.
No, the house survey you pay for is just for you. You can share it with whomever you like, but certainly won’t be asked to share it with the mortgage broker.
However, if the valuation survey conducted by your mortgage broker has revealed some issues, such as spray foam insulation, the lender may decide not to lend, or you could be in for a down valuation which will reduce the amount you’ll be able to borrow.
Delays while further investigations are carried out could result in your mortgage deal expiring.
Common red flags on a house survey include damp, subsidence, electrical problems, asbestos and insulation issues. Some are relatively minor and easy to fix, while others may affect the property’s value or mortgageability.
Not necessarily. If a survey highlights red flags, the next steps are to understand the severity of the issue, get repair quotes and consider renegotiating the price. Once you’ve taken these steps, you’ll need to decide whether to proceed or walk away.
Yes. If red flags on a house survey reveal problems, you can use repair costs to renegotiate the purchase price or ask the seller to fix issues before exchange. However, this is open to negotiation – there are no set rules on this.
Yes, some issues flagged in a survey, such as spray foam roof insulation, can affect whether or not a mortgage lender will lend. In these instances, it can be helpful to use a fee-free mortgage broker.
There are three main types of house survey. A RICS Level 1 survey gives a basic overview of the property’s condition. A RICS Level 2 Homebuyer Survey is a mid-level survey suitable for most conventional homes. A Level 3 (building survey) is the most detailed and is recommended for older, larger or unusual properties, or if you’re planning major work. Read more in our guide House survey types and costs.
HomeOwners Alliance Ltd is registered in England, company number 07861605. Information provided on HomeOwners Alliance is not intended as a recommendation or financial advice.
Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), Unit 26 (2.06), Newark Works, 2 Foundry Lane, Bath BA2 3GZ, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.
HomeOwners Alliance Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative (IAR) of LifeSearch Limited, an Appointed Representative of LifeSearch Partners Ltd, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. (FRN: 656479).
Independent Financial Adviser service is provided by Unbiased, who match you to a fully regulated, independent financial adviser, with no charge to you for the referral.
Bridging Loan and specialist lending service provided by Chartwell Funding Limited, registered office 5 Badminton Court, Station Road, Yate, Bristol, BS37 5HZ, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN: 458223). Your property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any debt secured on it.
