Hole in roof from old flue

[ironmikemodem]

I have had a survey done on a house I intend(ed?) to buy.

The survey showed a concerning hole near the ridge where an old flue used to be. It appears that the seller, or perhaps previous owner before them, removed the flue but didn't bother to take care of the result 4-5 inch hole left over. There is visible staining of the loft floor boarding where water has entered through this hole and dropped on the the boards.

Does anyone have any plausible reason why this hole would just be left open?

How urgently does this need fixed? What are the options for fixing this?

Following the survey, I visited the property myself and took the photos attached.

 

[Deleted member 267285]

It would likely need a new tile/slate or whatever the roof covering is made from plus a felt repair. I would get it done (or better yet the current owner) before winter as you don’t know the likely damage it’s caused. If current owner not prepared ask them to knock some money off. Also it looks like a soil and vent pipe, unless I can’t see it.

 

[Fred Blogs]

I removed the flue of an old gas fire that had been removed when we bought our present house. The flue was there because there is no fireplace in this house. I replaced two tiles that had been cut to accomodate the flue but the felt was difficult. I cut a foot square out where thew flu hole had been and stuck, with CT1, a larger square inside the cutout. It doesn't look very good but I couldn't see any other way of repairing the felt without replacing the whole sheet which would have been impossible without removing part of the roof.

Is there a better way to repair felt?

 

[datarebal]

put a mushroom cowl on the top .. looks like it might be asbestos slate up there

 

[Nige F]

as per CBW looks like a s.v p was there - probably replaced with an air admittance valve somewhere in the roof space