defective house sale

onthegin

we're within days of signing for a mortgage and excersising our right to buy but have found that this property is on a defective housing list and in need of 'remedial' work. how can we find out what's wrong without having an expensive structural survey done? we think council will not tell us since they seem willing to sell us a defective house.

Robert_Sterling

I would be inclined to write a letter to the coucil asking them in what way the house is defective.

Pal

Council "willingness" doesn't come into it. You have a "Right to Buy". The council has to allow you to do so. It does not, however, have to correct all the problems with the house before it sells it. Buyer beware, and all that.

Doozergirl

Speak to your solicitor as they would be the ones in the position to find out. If there is something wrong with the property, I'm sure that the council is legally bound to tell you if they know.

Did your mortgage valuer pick anything up? If they haven't, it can't be something obvious, which would make me think it's not major. Whether they tell you or not, you're probably going to have to pay for some professional advice. Find out roughly what's wrong and then employ the correct professional rather than getting a full survey done. It's cheaper that way.

onthegin

Thanks to all who replied, I've been looking at the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister regarding Valuing for the Right to Buy and I've found that the council should have given us a full list of defects which I have also found are extensive. The council's website sites contracts awarded to firms in excess of £40000 per dwelling for houses of the same build as this! and Hull CC are pulling their Caspon houses down as they are considered too unecenomical to repair. I might suggest to a solicitor that we find out just what the contract to be awarded for sorting out the houses where I live involves. Do you think that Freedom of Information covers this?