ADVICE FOR HOMEOWNERS & BUYERS
For homeowners
If you have been told that your property may have defective wall ties, or you have noticed cracking or movement that concerns you, the first priority is to establish the cause. A wall tie survey can determine whether the ties are contributing to the problem and whether remedial work is required.
Where work is necessary, use the WTIF directory to identify accredited providers and ask for a clear written specification describing the proposed remedial work.
Buying a property
Wall tie concerns are sometimes raised during a valuation or building survey. If further investigation is recommended, arrange this before committing to remedial work. The inspection should establish whether a genuine wall tie defect exists, its extent and the appropriate remedy.
On completion of any remedial work
Keep the survey, specification, invoice and any WTIF Warranty Certificate with the property's records. These documents can be useful when the property is later sold and provide evidence of what work was undertaken.
Increasingly mortgage providers are requesting evidence of an insurance backed guarantee for any remedial wall tie work connected with a property for sale.