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\1. External walls rendered to the ground, therefore probably negating the original slate DPC
Depending on size of the property, it's more likely a pitch DPC. Rendering over it is dumb however. Do you have pictures? Your surveyor might be looking too high for the DPC.
Were air bricks mentioned?
\5. High damp readings on ground-floor walls indicate possible, ahem, "rising damp"
Rising or not, the render outside if possibly trapping moisture, unless it's a breathable lime / cement free render.
Often, it's actually raised ground outside that's the problem.
\4. Two rainwater downpipes in bad order
This will make any problems from 1. & 5. worse
The extent of any problem would only be know by lifting floors & going back to the brick on walls though.
NotThamesWater
Our survey (on a 150-year-old three-bed in Hither Green) came back over the weekend. Generally, as expected, the house is in very good nick. But here are the things that a naturally cautious surveyor identified as "needing urgent repair"
We have had an offer accepted at £5k under asking price. We have since had two valuations done.
So I think we're justified in asking the vendors to lower the price — but by how much? And how do I broach the subject without turning the whole thing sour?