building work done by the seller

Fire_Fox

Presumably you have already had a full structural survey, what did this recommend? Why are you entertaining the estate agents point of view? They are not exactly unbiased! If you want documentation then be firm and insist in writing that the vendor pays for an structural engineer's report or you will withdraw your offer.

Ulfar

I pulled out of a purchase for these very reasons.

My reasoning was that while the vendor may have done the structural work themselves this doesn't stop them having it approved by the building inspector.

In my case the survey also picked up that the boiler hadn't been installed by a qualified engineer and would not pass an inspection , they also picked up that the extension hadn't been given planning permission or build over consent by the water board as it was above some drains.

Any surveyor/conveyancing solicitor who is competent will pick up on these items.

Doozergirl

I would not feel comfortable buying from a vendor that didn't see the necessity of obtaining consents for work they had carried out themselves. Sometimes time does the healing and shows that the sturcture is sound but you are going to have to have all of this checked.

Singely, the boiler can be checked for safety, the chimney checked by a structural engineer, the windows really should be approved by building control because no-one else will do it for you. List goes on but indemnity insurance will not cover you for defects so you must be sure that everything is safe. It's more the attitude that I don't like as opposed to having things checked - I'd expect those checks at the vendor's cost at the least.

axeluk

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Presumably you have already had a full structural survey, what did this recommend? Why are you entertaining the estate agents point of view? They are not exactly unbiased! If you want documentation then be firm and insist in writing that the vendor pays for an structural engineer's report or you will withdraw your offer.

Thanks Fire Fox,

1.our structural survey picked up all what I mentioned to be comply with FENSA or building regs approval. Even more, there's structural issue regarding chimney breast and the back door (there might be bending and require steel beam inserted in)
2.You are right that the estate agents are not unbiased. We tried many time request all documents via estate agent and our solicitor, by call and email, with detail list. The estate agent (EA in followin text) was totally negative to our requests and gave wrong instructions.

Here's few sentence she said: That's not right. Nobody asks for it. The seller is angry. He doesn't have it. etc.

Now EA said the seller is angry and EA asked me what should be done, how much and how long it will cost. (I really think this is the seller's own homework but I provided some guildlines to my knowledge) More ridiculers, when I said the seller should pay for the documents, EA said he doesn't have any money, he can't afford. It sounds like it is the EA's property not the seller's.

I am now insist in the approval although the EA really upset me.

axeluk

This is our first buy, half investment half self-living. I didn't expect so much trouble and don't want to lose money when sell it. Probably I should just leave it.

Fire_Fox

In three posts you have told us what the estate agent has to say, this is clouding the issue. Why are you letting the estate agent speak to you like this?? Are you dealing with one person in the office? Refuse to deal with them if they are upsetting you and request an alternative member of staff, this is tens of thousands of pounds of YOUR money at stake so YOU call the shots.

Tell them you are not interested in ANY response other than ALL the documentation you have asked for OR an assurance that the vendor is going to pay for the structural engineer's report (or whatever) by Friday 3pm or you are withdrawing your offer. If they try any ifs or buts use the 'broken record' technique - repeat yourself firmly and say goodbye.

axeluk

Thanks Fox, you are very right. I have been too soft and this is why the EA tries to fool me. I should speak to their manager with deadline.