Thinking of putting your house on the market? Before you start dreaming about the “Sold” sign or packing up boxes, let’s have a quick word about something that could quietly throw a spanner in the works, damp.
It’s not glamorous, but it’s important. And to be honest, a proper damp survey might just be the smartest move you make before handing over your keys.
Why? Well, for starters, it keeps things above board. It helps you set a fair price. It can prevent delays and haggling. And if there is a problem? You’ll know about it early and can actually do something, instead of letting it knock your sale sideways three weeks before exchange.
Let’s break it down properly.
How Damp Affects Your Property Value
Look, damp puts buyers off. Full stop.
Even if it’s just a bit of discoloured plaster or a faint musty whiff in the hallway, buyers notice. And once they’ve clocked it, they start asking questions. Big ones. Like: Is this going to cost me thousands? Is the house looked after? What else is hiding behind those walls?
They might:
- Ask for a price drop, often much bigger than what it’d cost you to fix
- Ask you to sort it before exchange (rush job = stress)
- Or worse, they walk away altogether
No one wants that. And in areas with older housing stock, like parts of Cheshire, Liverpool, or Manchester, it’s even more common.
So, yes, damp can hit your house value. But if you spot it early and sort it out, it becomes a tick in the box rather than a deal-breaker.
So… Should I Get a Damp Survey Before Selling My House?
Short answer: you don’t legally have to, but it’s definitely worth thinking about. If you’ve seen signs of damp, or your home’s a bit older, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Here’s why:
1. Legal Obligation to Disclose
When you sell, you have to fill in a form (TA6, if we’re being technical) that asks about any issues with the property, including damp. If you say “no” and the buyer finds out later that there was something wrong and you knew about it? That could land you in hot water.
Getting a damp survey means you know exactly where you stand, no guesswork, no awkward surprises later.
2. Impact on Property Value
If you leave it to chance and the buyer spots the damp, they’ll either knock down their offer or pull out. And usually, they’ll overestimate the cost to fix it.
But if you’ve already had a proper survey and treatment done? You can hand over the report, show the guarantee, and say with confidence: “It’s been dealt with.”
That puts you back in control.
3. Buyer Confidence and Negotiations
Imagine being a buyer and the seller says, “We had some damp in the back room, sorted it last year, here’s the paperwork.”
That changes everything. You’ve removed the mystery, shown you’ve cared for the place, and buyers feel reassured.
Trust me, that’s worth its weight when it comes to getting asking price, or close to it.
4. Smooth Sale Process
No one wants last-minute hiccups. Especially not when the removal van’s booked and the chain’s teetering on edge.
Having a damp survey done before listing means you can deal with it early, not when solicitors are halfway through the paperwork. That makes the whole process smoother and faster.
5. Identify and Sort Issues Early
You might think there’s no damp, but there could be a bit behind the wardrobes or under the bay window. It happens.
A good surveyor will spot even subtle signs and give proper advice. Then you’ve got time to get it sorted, instead of rushing around or dealing with panicked buyers later.
6. Mortgage Lender Requirements
Sometimes the buyer’s mortgage lender will flag potential damp during their valuation and ask for a specialist report. If that happens after offers have been accepted, you’re back to square one.
If you’ve already had the survey done and can send over a clean bill of health? You’ve just saved everyone a two-week delay.
Risks of Selling a House with Damp
If you decide to chance it and not get a survey? Well, here’s what might happen:
- The buyer pulls out after their survey finds damp
- They ask for a big price drop
- They insist you pay for treatment before exchange
- The whole sale drags out for months
- You get stuck in a legal wrangle for not disclosing properly
It’s not worth the headache, especially when a simple survey costs a fraction of what a lost sale might.
Do I Need a Damp Proof Certificate to Sell My House?
You’re not legally obliged to have one, but it’s a big bonus.
If you’ve already had damp treatment done, maybe a few years ago, dig out the guarantee or certificate. It’ll usually cover 20 to 30 years and shows the work was done professionally.
Buyers (and their surveyors) love that. It’s reassurance, plain and simple.
If you haven’t had any work done yet, that’s fine, just get the survey first. If something shows up, a reputable company like Damp 2 Dry Solutions can sort it and give you a certificate afterwards.
That’s your peace of mind sorted, and it’ll help your buyer feel the same.
Final Words: Book Your Pre-Sale Damp Survey with Damp 2 Dry Solutions
Selling a house is stressful enough, don’t let a bit of damp throw the whole thing off track.
At Damp 2 Dry Solutions, we offer specialist Pre-Sale Damp and Timber Surveys designed for homeowners getting ready to sell. One of our trained surveyors will come round, have a proper look, and give you a clear, no-jargon report. If there’s an issue, we’ll explain it and offer a guaranteed fix.
We’re trusted across the North West, from Chester to Stoke, and our work comes with a 20-year written guarantee.
So, if you’re thinking of selling, give us a ring. We’ll help you sort any damp before it becomes a dealbreaker.
Call us on 01606 872 691 Or just pop us a message, no pressure, just helpful advice.