'Look for faults when viewing a home'

Posted : 06-07-2007

Would-be homeowners are being urged to thoroughly inspect a property when they view it, following the results of a Direct Line Home Insurance survey.

According to the provider, the number of "hidden home faults" - where a person moves in only to discover problems not disclosed by the seller - has doubled during the last five years, with the average repair cost totalling £2,300.

The news may be of interest to new and existing homebuyers, which may be considering the purchase of home contents insurance after moving in.

But Direct Line says the buyer has the right to seek legal advice and make the seller pay for the fault, if they were dishonest during the process.

The firm's head of home insurance Andrew Lowe remarked: "It's becoming much more common for sellers to hide faults from new buyers in order to secure a quick sale."

It may be useful for new homeowners to remember that it is not compulsory to buy contents and building insurance from the same company.


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