But otherwise get the seller.
Buying a home with no attic access.
This is not a good sign.
So you should not consider buying a house that has no way to get into the attic.
The front half of the house has vaulted ceilings where the back does not so there is an attic up there however there is no attic access.
The home inspector told us there was no attic access we asked the previous owners and they confirmed.
This is especially the case with older homes.
Our living room looks similar to the one in your photo.
We recently bought our first house built in 1890 victorian farm house massachusetts.
If the access panel is locked nailed or caulked shut then ask the seller to get it opened for you.
The portion of the chimney that isn t exposed to the elements can also weather and deteriorate.
Sometimes a home inspector will open a secured panel if the seller gives permission and holds the inspector harmless for any damage.
If you find this situation in a house you are considering buying do not proceed until the seller provides an attic access for examination by you and your home inspector.
Thanks for all the replies.
The inspector did like this as there is no way to know what is up there which makes sense.
There is no attic above that part of the house.
The home style is eclectic victorian and it is a single level.
We like the rest of the home but the issue with not having attic access concerns us.
More often however the attic access is located in a closet or hallway where there s a direct pathway for air to move between the unconditioned and conditioned spaces of the home.
We were told not to worry about it but the more and more we are thinking about it we are concerned about what is up there.
I can tell you that it is a real pita sometimes.
I own a split level home with a cathedral ceiling in the living room.
2 the attic access opening may have been removed during a remodeling.
About 3 4 times per year for the last couple of years water drips into the living room window.
After reading we will definitely make sure to gain access to the attic.