Nearly at exchange and they want a drain survey

lushkat

We are just about to agree dates re exchange and completion when our buyers haves decided that they want a drain survey. It isnt a condition of their mortgage apparently but someone has advised them that it would be a good idea! Is this something anyone else is familiar with and do you think it might be a ruse to get the sale price reduced. We have already droppped 2.5K to help their buyer get a mortgage since the sale was agreed orginally.

PS. There isnt anything wrong with the drains as far as we know.

sharpe106

If nothing wrong than no problam, but it might be an attempt for them to try and get price reduced. You will have to see what the report says it could just be them wanting to make sure before they spend a lot of money on a property only to find out problams 6 months down the line

Doozergirl

Drain surveys don't cost very much in the grand scheme. If you did have a problem there would usually be some kind of symptom of that.

if your house is terraced and built before 1936 you might be able to get the water company to take a look at it for you as shared drains built before this time are usually their responsibilty.

chickmug

Luckily, as an agent, these last minute issues are not that common. But I have found those who last minute pannicked because their friend/next door neighbour/ mate at work/etc put the fear of God in them so have seen last minute inspections being arranged and even full structural surveys.

A case of keeping fingers crossed that it is not a ploy to re-negotiate the price down.

lushkat

Finger crossed!!! The survey is being done Saturday so let's hope that all is well.

I think if it wasnt three weeks since they signed their contracts ready for exchange I would feel a little bit better about it, but being as we are all virtually ready to go, it feels a little uncomfortable.

clutton_2

older terraced properties were often built without any kind of drain inspection hatch, so it is difficult to ascertain what is happening underground - if you have a problem with drains, a camera can be put down to survey the internal pipework for less than £150 usually