Posted by
Andy552
16 yrs ago
The flat I am looking at is on the top floor of a low rise building built in the late 70's and comes with a great roof top of about 700 sq ft with great potential. What should I be looking out for when inspecting the flat and roof top? There is a small canopy on one part of it which I assume is illegal but I don't think it will be too costly to remove. Is there anything else?
Thanks so much in advance!
Andy
Please support our advertisers:
Thanks - it's on the 4th floor with 5th floor roof top. It does have a lift though.
Please support our advertisers:
You have to look out for water leakage and of course any signs of wear and tear and are they fixable or would they cost too much to fix? You may have to see whether or not the rooftop has a tap water/sink and whether or not they are fitted with lights - if not, they are additional costs for you. Our neighbour's place didn't have these. You'll have to check conditions of the tiles and whether or not they need replacing and whether there are any infestations from insects etc. They are just very minor things but are costs added to your renovation.
We have a rooftop at ours.
And yes, the canopy has to be removed before you settle the property. The previous owner should be the one paying for such removal.
Please support our advertisers:
1 check whether the rooftop comes under the deed
2 check if there is any building order registered against the property
3 check if all structures are properly approved
4 check for water seepage by:
- rooftop, check for recent repairs, paint, patch-ups that may suggest a concealment of an existing problem,
- flat, check the ceiling & walls for water mark, stains, new paint or patch up,
- note water finds its way along weak points of the structure, so stains on the walls as well as the ceilings are redflags,
- note that some water seepage problems are not immediately visible unless it rains heavily for many days,
- ask for the Incorporated Owners' meeting minutes, rooftop leakage might have been discussed as a IO matter as it is usually the IO's obligation to repair the structure of a building,
- knock on doors of other top floor flats and ask them,
- ask the security guard, he might have some insider info,
5 Lastly, it is a difficult problem to identify if efforts are made to conceal it. So good luck
Please support our advertisers:
Is there a property agent you can suggest for similar flats in Soho area?
Thanks.
Please support our advertisers:
Actually all those problems mentioned before are important and usual on old buildings however they're difficult to be observed in short time. Just assume all of them take place and reflect to the actual premise value.
Please support our advertisers:
Another important point is to get a copy of the Deed of Mutual covenant and have a read.....this will tell you about MOST of the responsibilities re the various owners of the SHARES in the building....each flat and car park are given shares in the total 'building corporation' ..AS WELL each rooftop will normally be allocated shares....AND resultant responsibilities to PAY management fees typically much higher than an empty roof would logically justify. A land search of the property would also show you WHETHER the roof is LEGALLY part of the property below or a separate title....so lots to look out for....
We are very familiar with top floor acquisitions since they are often used not only as great residences but to MAKE money by renting parts out for antennas ....contact Shane Weir @W&A......
Weir & Associates
Solicitors & Notaries
16th Floor Tak Shing House
20 Des Voeux Road Central
Central
Hong Kong
Tel : 2526-1767
Fax : 2868-3568
email : weirlaw@hongkonglaw.com
www.HongKongLaw.com/weirlaw
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail