Survey on a recently re-done flat?

EagerLearner

Dear all,

We are FTB and have put in an offer on a property which has been accepted as has our mortgage application.

The last purchaser pulled out 2 weeks ago at the last minute before exchange with no reasons, apart from saying he had some 'personal problems'.
The flat had a new kitchen and bathroom put in 2 months ago or so and looks great. It has also had a guaranteed damp proof treatment before it was put on the market.

The EA has told us that given that everything is in good order and the last buyer had a satisfactory survey and also bank survey approved, we would be better off not paying £300-£400 for a basic survey, as we can see what the property is like with the naked eye, and even a basic survey doesn't cover sewage, subsidence, problems from flat above (as the surveyor wouldn't be able to access it anyway). He recommended saving the money, or getting an electrician in for £100 to look around and a plumber for around £120 to check boiler/water etc.

It's either a) do nothing and use the money for fridge/washing machine we need, b) pay £220 for basic checks, or pay £800 for a full survey (but this kind of money would be extremely hard for us to find).

Can anyone recommend what the best course of action would be? Any advice much appreciated.

Thank you

EagerLearners

silvercar

Buying a home is one of the largest purchases of your life. Do a survey, who knows whats lurking. Give yourself the peace of mind of knowing what you are buying

Estate Agents and sellers can be very adept at hiding problems. Any of these new fittings could have been done to hide a problem.

zappahey

Call me a paranoid cynic if you like but, if a seller's EA advised me not to bother getting a survey done, I'd be booking the best survey I could afford.

EagerLearner

Hi all, thanks for your advice - we do know it's safest to do one - should we go with the conveyancer for recommendations on a surveyor, or find our own - if anyone can recommend one in the Brighton area that'd be most appreciated. We would probably go for a basic survey, as we really can't afford the extensive survey cost.

Thanks

Eagerlearners

Doozergirl

If the previous buyer had a survey done, could you ask the EA to see if they will let you have or sell you the report for a nominal fee? Cheaper than organising another survey!

EagerLearner

Hi - we asked the EA whether we could see the previous survey but he said that due to confidentiality, we wouldn't be able to see it, the same way that if we had one done, no-one else coulkd see it either. I have not asked him whether we could buy it - presumably I'd get the same response but I'll give it a go.

EagerLearners

beverleyhills

I assume that the bathroom and kitchen have been done since the previous survey.

Look in yellow pages to see if there is an advert which includes all the names of the Surveyers in the area who claim to be paid up members of their professional organisation. Ask 3 to give you a quotation for the work and choose the best one for you.

You have to try to work out what the vendor and estate agent is not telling you.

Doozergirl

I don't get that. Sure, the report belongs to the previous buyer because they paid for it, but I don't think it's covered by the Official Secrets Act! If they want to give/sell it to you, they can.

I'd be questioning whether they had a survey done at all or whether there is a survey that highlights some problem areas, if the agent continues to play 'secret squirrel'...

noddynoo

You could offer to buy the other survey for a fee.This would be in every ones interst.If its a no try to gauge the EA reaction to your getting another survey done.I would call their bluff and say you are going to get a full survey as this may prompt them to be a bit more honest although I wouldn't bet on it.

EagerLearner

Thanks everyone - I will call the EA again and ask if we can buy the survey, plus if they won't sell it to us, I can bluff that a person I knew in my last (property related) job can help get a full survey at a reduced cost.

Is the general consensus that we should not use the surveyor recommended by our solicitor?

EagerLearners

Doozergirl

I'd be happy to use a surveyor recommended by my solicitor if the price was right! There's no conflict of interest if the solicitor is working on your behalf.

There's a searchable database on the Royal Instuitute of Chartered Surveyors website too. I'd get some price comparisons. http://www.ricsfirms.com/vw/search/location.aspx