Home Buyers Report - Problems Identified

barrybarryr

Hi,

I have had a home buyers report done on a property that my girlfriend and I are in the middle of purchasing.

In the report it says that the seal on some of the double glazed windows have gone and that condensation is building up inside.

I have asked the surveyors which windows but they say they can't remember and that they wouldn't identify which ones in the home buyer report.

I have two questions.

Firstly, is it reasonable for me to expect that the surveyor to note which windows are damaged?

Secondly, should I expect the vendors to fix them or reduce the price of the offer by the amount it costs for them to be fixed?

Thanks

Barry

G_M

Firstly, is it reasonable for me to expect that the surveyor to note which windows are damaged?

Secondly, should I expect the vendors to fix them or reduce the price of the offer by the amount it costs for them to be fixed?

1) A homebuyers report is not a full survey. He's identified a problem and made you aware. I'd go round & have a look if you want to know which windows.
2) You can certainly ask.
Depends whether you could/should have noticed this when you viewed the property. Depends also whether the price agreed reflects the condition or is top whack for that kind of house/location. Depends also whether there are other buyers interested in the house. Depends also how much you want it.
If the buyer agrees to drop the price, great. If not, what will you do?

tgreen_2

You can always try to negotiate about the problems with the windows, I see you only opted for the homebuyers report, however (and I have no legal experience)- surely they should at least be making you aware of the windows that are promblematic. The vendors may reduce the price fully- it depends how much they want to sell, on the other hand it also depends how much you want to buy. If its a no go with the vendor to reduce the price how about suggesting divinding the cost (better than you paying it all?)

barrybarryr

I appreciate that a homebuyers report is not a full survey but common sense would dictate if a problem is identified that they tell you where the problem is irrespective of what survey you have done.

We didn't have a full survey done because the house was only built in 1996.

Dividing the cost is a reasonable idea if they wont budge on the price, provided we actually purchase it.

Would we go back to them through our solicitors or through the estate agents?

Fire_Fox

What detail is included in a homebuyers' report and what is included in a full structural survey is not a case of common sense, it's laid out clearly for all to see on the RICS website. I would imagine that surveyors use a template for each to save time. You can't renegotiate on price unti lyou know how much the work is going to cost, so tell the estate agent that the survey results are back and you'd like to send in a couple of professionals for quotes. Your solicitor does not need to be involved.

barrybarryr

They identified the problem. This was part of the homebuyers report for them to look at the windows.

They looked at them but cant remember which windows they were.

Surely if you have looked at the windows and they are damaged you would write down which ones are damaged?

Fire_Fox

barrybarryr wrote: »

They identified the problem. This was part of the homebuyers report for them to look at the windows.

They looked at them but cant remember which windows they were.

Surely if you have looked at the windows and they are damaged you would write down which ones are damaged?

This might be the only house you are buying this year, but is wil lbe far from the only house they survey this year. Efficiency will be down to a fine art with no notes, the surveyors probably just tick boxes on a form to remind themselves that there was damp/ blown double glazing/ a problem with the rainwater goods ... if you wanted detail you needed to have had a full structural survey, a good one will be pages of text and contain photographs and costings.

G_M

Why so hung up on which windows? If you really want to know, go and look!

Surely however, what you really need to know is cost of repair/replace? So as suggested, arrange via EA for a window firm to go and give you a quote. They'll soon spot the relevant windows!

david29dpo

Book another viewing and take a good look, point the problems out to the vendor and see what they say.

barrybarryr

Thanks that's a really good idea.