Asbestos Garage - Buyers chasing me for removal costs

prudryden

If your buyer didn't have a survey done on the property which would have included any outbuildings, then the condition of the shed is his problem. He only complained about the shed after he found out it contained asbestos. Any surveyor would have spotted that by just looking. If you must write, just deny any liability and leave it at that.

puddy

totally agree, cant believe he has written, just write a sentence and thats it, any more letters from him and then say you'll sue him for harrassment

johnson293

Cheers everyone.

I know there are differing opinions on whether I should even respond myself, but I have, and have cut my response down to a couple of lines.

Basically I am denying liability for the condition/construction of the shed, and directing him toward his surveyor for not picking these issues up prior to purchase, and stating that I now consider the matter closed and will not enter into any further dialogue.

We'll see how that goes down.

Cheers

puddy

good for you, make sure you stick with that, also dont rack up costly solicitors fees, they dont really need to respond for you. it could be a simple case of the person simply not understanding the rules or the law, although yo would have hoped that his own solicitor would have put him right.

im also hoping that he isnt going to try it on to say that when he saw the shed and when the surveyor saw it, it appeared in good repair and structurally sound, but that on moving in, the condition of the structure and repair had changed and that therefore he was not sold what he thought he was buying.

if this is the case and if this is what his solicitor thinks he has a leg to stand on with, then you need to simply deny this and ask what measures he took on the day of moving in and the subsequent days to contact your solicitor about this seemingly urgent and dangerous matter. the fact that it had taken him 8 months to determine that the shed was dangerously unstable (or whatever he might claim), shows that this is a contradiction in terms

johnson293

Well, I recieved another note from the buyer.

After 'doing his own research' (maybe he read this thread), he will not be pursuing me to pay for or remove the shed and/or Asbestos myself. :T

So, that would seem to be the end of it.

Cheers for all the advice given before. :beer:

googler

johnson293 wrote: »

Well, I recieved another note from the buyer.

After 'doing his own research' (maybe he read this thread), he will not be pursuing me to pay for or remove the shed and/or Asbestos myself. :T

So, that would seem to be the end of it.

Cheers for all the advice given before. :beer:

Maybe one of your two lines to him should have been a link to this thread....???

zfrl

Did he search on the internet for "Asbestos Garage - Buyers chasing me for removal costs" or something similar!

chriskelland

Hi All,

Very good thread, lots of info. I joined MSE.com several weeks ago and this is my first post. Two weeks ago We saw the perfect little bungalow so I intend putting an offer in on it. Looked at the garage - guess what asbestos roof and walls, steel framed looked a bit rusty. Tomorrow I'm having a good look. And will be arranging a full survey and make sure the Agent is aware.

Can't be too careful!


Chris Kelland.

Paul_the_Painter

Why would the Agent care what the garage was made of?

There are probably millions of properties containing some asbestos, it's not going to leap out and strangle you in the night!

jenny74

Not sure of the point of Chris's post.... Asbestos is perfect safe unless it is damaged, or moved without proper precautions. A rusty frame will not affect the asbestos. Honestly some people don't half over react when the word 'asbestos' is mentioned!

We sold our old house last year, concrete walls with a ... Wait for it... Asbestos roof! The buyer and surveyor were very sensible and realise it is not an issue....

Get a grip!