19 December 2011 12:08

PROPERTY

Shell under stairs shows it pays to be careful

The recent discovery of what looked like a bomb under the stairs of a house he had just bought is a vivid example of why property buyers should thoroughly check potential purchases.

The Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire law firm Bridge McFarland Solicitors said property buyers should always check the properties they were buying before the moving date and should consider engaging a surveyor to carry out a full home-buyers’ survey.

Bridge McFarland senior conveyancing executive Steve Jackson says, “I recently acted for a property developer client in the purchase of a property in Grimsby. Following completion, my client found a waist-high rocket bomb or shell together with ammunition in an under-stairs cupboard!

“To put people’s minds at rest, the police and bomb squad were called immediately and everything was disposed of safely without any damage to people or property. I understand the shell was taken away and blown up and was probably a relic from the Second World War that no longer contained explosive.

“Of course, it is not every day that people are likely to find old ordnance in their new homes but there can be many other nasty surprises in store for unwary property buyers. At the very least, home buyers should visit a property before completion and give it a thorough check, ensuring that, for example, appliances such as boilers are in working order.  

“Given that buying a property is often the biggest financial commitment that many of us make in our lives, most people would be well advised to commission a professional to carry out a full survey. The surveyor should be able to spot and point out any major potential problems and, importantly, will carry professional indemnity insurance if they miss something they should have spotted.

“As I am sure the bomb squad would agree, safety first is always a good option when we are talking about such big investments.”

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