Four red flags for buyers to avoid a moneypit home – or face forking out £25k in repairs

Read below for the best tips to get on the housing ladder
GOOD FOUNDATIONS Four red flags for buyers to avoid a moneypit home – or face forking out £25k in repairs
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HOUSE hunters who fail to notice a handful of red flags on a property could end up forking out nearly £26,000 in repairs.
Trying to get on the property ladder is already costly enough, with buyers expected to save for a deposit, pay stamp duty charges and solicitors fees.
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Jeremy Leaf shares tips for buying a home
But prospective owners who fail to spot issues like mould, or faulty plumbing could end up forking out more in repairs.
The Sun spoke to Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent, who said buyers should go into property viewing with their "eyes open".
"When you're buying a house, it's a big commitment and you're going to get some nasty surprises," he shares.
The expert has shared the four biggest red flags buyers should look out for to avoid paying up to £25,700 in repairs.
Japanese knotweed - up to £20,000
When viewing a property, Jeremy said wannabe homeowners should keep their eyes peeled for Japanese knotweed.
This plant grows quickly and can cause damage to buildings, plus it's extremely difficult to eradicate.
Japanese knotweed, which was introduced to the UK as an ornamental plant in the nineteenth century, can only be removed with costly specialist treatment.
Our home is so mouldy mushrooms and flies infest walls - it's making us sick
The plant can be identified from its distinct features, such as large, heart-shaped leaves, hollow bamboo-like stems that have a zig-zag growth pattern.
So if you suspect the plant may be present in the home you should ask the seller or estate agent.
That's because the issue could cost up to £20,000 to fix depending on the severity of the issue.
Alex Peters, author of Checkatrade cost guides, said: "There are numerous ways to remove Japanese knotweed with average removal costs at £1,750 but this can range from £950 - £20,000 depending on the scale of the problem.
"Methods include domestic herbicide treatment, full excavation & removal, sifting and screening and on-site relocation."
Asbestos - up to £3,750
Abestos was commonly used to insulate homes, but was banned in the UK 26 years ago because it was discovered to be a health hazard.
It can be identified by its fluffy texture when found in buildings.
Jeremy said that sellers can try and obscure it and make it difficult for a buyer to find.
In some instances, the property expert said that people looking to shift their home have parked old cars in front of walls in the garage to cover up the substance.
"People can go to great lengths to obscure defects and properties, if they want to," he said.
To have asbestos removed, you will need a qualified surveyor to carry out an inspection, Alex from Checkatrade.
"This costs in the region of £200-£1,000 and they will identify the type of asbestos in your home and any associated risks."
He added: "Average removal costs can range from £950 - £3,750."
Electrical and plumbing deficiencies
Buying a house with electric and plumbing deficiencies could end up costing you up to £750.
Jeremy said house hunters should closely examine plugs and switches in the home they are considering buying to see if they work correctly.
It may also be worth running taps and the shower to see if everything is working as it should be.
Alex said the best way to check out any problems is with an electrical safety check.
This is a sort of MOT for the electric systems in your home.
He said: "The average cost of an electrical safety check roughly starts at £100 - £250.
"It is wise to have an electrical safety check every 5-10 years and this should always be completed by a qualified electrician."
Alex said that if you require extra work to be conducted by an electrician such as adding new wiring or mending broken electrical equipment, electricians could charge £55 per hour or £400 per day.
Meanwhile, the cost to repair a burst or leaking pipe could cost up to between £50 to £350 per day.
Mould - £1,200
Fixing mould in your new property could end up costing you £1,200.
So it may be worth keeping your eyes peeled for the substance to avoid forking out for repairs once you move in.
Alex said buyers should "always be on the lookout for mould" as it loves to appear in hidden areas.
The fungus is often found in areas that are damp, dark, and not easily visible.
These spots can include behind furniture, in loft spaces, beneath carpets or floors, behind curtains, and inside toilet tanks.
It is also worth checking out windows and cupboards where condensation and moisture builds quickly.
You can also ask the seller or estate agent if the property has experienced issues with mould in the past and if they have been resolved.
Alex said issues caused by mould are "numerous" and it is always "better to remove the problem as soon as possible to stop it from spreading and causing damage".

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Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WITH total honesty, Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts admits: 'For a man who spends all his time telling people to make sure they stick to their budgets and timescales, I have failed on every single level.' Two years ago, the property expert showed The Sun around his own DIY project to turn a run-down Welsh village pub into a top tourist attraction. 8 Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts admits his project to renovate a Welsh pub has been a failure Credit: Dan Jones Images 8 The back of the hotel shows a building in dire need of urgent renovation Credit: Huw Evans And just like he does on the hit property show, I asked: 'What is your timescale?' Back then, in spring 2023, Martin was convinced it would take just two years and around half a million pounds to rebuild the Hendrewen Hotel in the Rhondda Valley. 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11 hours ago

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