8 Months since last Viewing - would you view again before Exchange?

Treacle44

Our sale/purchase is still going through 8 months down the line, due to various problems. We last saw the the house we're buying back in July and are apparently due to exchange this week.

The vendors vacated the property at the beginning of January (they agreed to a rental agreement before exchange which was due to happen 1st week of January but didn't happen!) so the property is obviously empty at the moment (although they are allegedly going back often to check it and turn heating on).

I'm just wondering if it would be prudent to go back and have a viewing before exchange just in case anything has changed and to check everything works.

Would this be an acceptable thing to request?

Thanks

goldbyron

Of course it is perfectly reasonable - people often cite 'we want to measure up'. I hope you still like it.....:)

hawkster

I definately would

princessamy86

Yes, definitely go and have a look before you exchange, anything could have changed!

Treacle44

I keep looking at the Virtual Tour online but it's not quite the same!

Do need to measure up actually so that's a good idea to say why we want to go round.

Is there anything in particular I should check over? heating?

Thanks

poppysarah

Check in all cupboards. Look at all ceilings.
Is there damp coming in etc.

Saying you want to measure up is a great reason to go again.

Wickedkitten

I would definitely go back to check just to make sure that everything that is on your F&F list that is meant to have remained in the property hasn't been taken away when they moved out.

Icey77

Absolutely arrange another viewing!!

The purchase of my flat took 8 months to complete and in the time between my last viewing and completion the sellers wreaked the place - the carpets and underlay had to be pulled up and chucked out as it seemed they adopted an incontinent dog :mad:

The walls were pock marked where they had tugged out all manner of wierd and wonderful things they had used to hand pictures, mirrors etc.

Ultimately, the flat was uninhabitable (I felt like I should be wearing a hazmat suit and breathing apparatus just to step over the doorstep). Luckily I was staying with my boyfriend of the time so we has the luxury of being to rip out and redecorate but not everyone is so lucky.

I took the issue up with my solicitor who said we could try to bill them for cleaning etc and carpets as my offer had been made on the flat as it was at viewing not the cesspit it had been handed over as but she warned me that it was unlikely to get anywhere and that I shouldn't assume everyone is as nice as me and I should arrange a pre-completion viewing to stop this happening again.

So, to end my rant ... go and see the property and if it has changed substanially since your viewing and offer take it up with your solicitor pronto!!!

Good luck!
Icey x

ginvzt

We actually went to check the house we were buying the day before completion as we wanted to make sure al is fine and it was a good oportunity to ask how things work in the house (alarm, where is fuse box, where are the valves for water inlet to the house, how does boiler work, etc). Vendor was not too happy about as checking things, but we were not going to part with our money before we were sure all is well... (yes, I know he could still have hid a dead herring in the last 24 hours somewhere).

mlz1413

YES you should go back.

Check the loo flushes and fills, the taps & shower turn on, turn on the heating and feel all the rads.
switch on and off all the lights, open & close windows and doors - ensure they all have keys.
Turn on fridge & cooker, maybe not pratical for washing machine but you could put it on a spin cycle.

Anything you are buying as working should be checked.

I bought a flat that had been empty a while and the bathroom ceiling was on the floor when I got the keys, it was due to a leak in upstairs flat and so didn't cost me anything in the end - but the disappointment, mess and hassle could have been avoided if I'd view the week before exchange.

pawpurrs

mlz1413 wrote: »

YES you should go back.

Check the loo flushes and fills, the taps & shower turn on, turn on the heating and feel all the rads.
switch on and off all the lights, open & close windows and doors - ensure they all have keys.
Turn on fridge & cooker, maybe not pratical for washing machine but you could put it on a spin cycle.

Anything you are buying as working should be checked.

I bought a flat that had been empty a while and the bathroom ceiling was on the floor when I got the keys, it was due to a leak in upstairs flat and so didn't cost me anything in the end - but the disappointment, mess and hassle could have been avoided if I'd view the week before exchange.

All very pratical in theroy, but a pain in the provobial for the vendor, and I have never known any one do all of the above! Perhaps they should but it just isnt really done!