Work that has already been done on a flat that I am buying but no invoice yet!

goonernumber1

Good afternoon,

The flat that I am buying (very near to completion), has some planned works to it planned for the next five years. We are happy about this because the works need doing and it would ultimately increase the property value.

Anyway, the issue is about one area of these works, the 'decoration of communual areas', which has cost £2000 per flat. This balance has not been settled yet by the current landlord because the invoice hasn't been produced (the work was done May last year), it will be produced however in December when we will be in there. Hopefully you can see where I am going with this. basically, who will be liable???

silvercar

You have to agree who will be liable. It seems clear cut to me that the seller would be liable as they have sold the property with the work done, but they would have to agree this.

If you have a final figure you can either agree a lower price for the property or you can agree a retention on the mortgage. Your solicitor holds onto an agreed sum of money until they produce the proof that the invoice for the work is paid.

cattie

If it is works that have already been completed then it will be the current owner. What may happen is that your solicitor will hold back from him £2000 of the price you paid to be earmarked for when the final invoice comes in. If this happens then your solicitor should also check with you after December to make sure that you haven't been chased for any more money than this.

Your solicitor is the one who should be able to explain how things should work to you.

The other thing you can do, which is what I did when I sold my last property & decoration of communal areas commenced just after I found a buyer, is get the asking price of the property dropped by £2000 & you become liable to pay the bill when it comes in.

Debt_Free_Chick

I can see the seller giving two possible answers here

1) That the value of the work was included in the price and therefore he/she will settle the invoice.

2) That the value of the work was NOT included in the price and theresore YOU settle it.

It will be down to negotiation and agreement between you and the seller. Without any agreement, I would be fairly sure that the invoice is paid by those who actually occupy the flat at the time the invoice is presented.