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Damage to lawn before completion

What would you do?

I am due to complete on my purchase on Friday 28th May. Yesterday I drove past the house I am due to buy - the vendor has got a skip sat on the front lawn!

Now I'm not a gardening expert but sure that's going to kill the grass underneath?

Should I ignore it and hope the grass grows back or should I contact the estate agent/solicitor and kick up a fuss?

Your advice is appreciated!!
«13

Comments

  • withabix
    withabix Posts: 9,508 Forumite
    edited 21 May 2010 at 3:20PM
    It isn't your house yet!

    The vendor has got every right to put a skip on HIS lawn.

    The grass might go a little bit yellow for a week or so, but grass is very hardy. That's why we cover bare soil with it....

    The ground pressure under a full skip will LESS than it is under your feet if you stand on a lawn....

    Are you going to kick up a fuss if he cuts the lawn, because the grass will be shorter than the day you exchanged???
    British Ex-pat in British Columbia!
  • centerhalf
    centerhalf Posts: 14 Forumite
    Is a patch of grass the size of a skip going to be enough for you to pull out of the purchase and lose any fees that you have already paid?

    If not, then don't worry about it, grass will grow back. If you deem it important ask if the owner intends to leave it that state when they leave?
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    It'll be fine as long as it doesn't have a fire in it.

    Be happy they're using a skip and not just leaving stuff
  • delmar39
    delmar39 Posts: 1,447 Forumite
    As per the posts above grass will come back strong not matter what is thrown at it. If it doesn't then you can re turf or just throw some soil down mixed with grass seed. Not worth the fuss and as stated above, it's now yours yet!
  • NAR
    NAR Posts: 4,863 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I would take a photo, with date on it, as evidence the skip was there so that if damage is caused to the lawn you can show as evidemce to solicitor/current owner.
  • bryanb
    bryanb Posts: 5,031 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I think if the lawn is a feature of the property. ie bowling green quality, you should say something. But if it's just grass in front of the house, ignore it.
    This is an open forum, anyone can post and I just did !
  • Catblue
    Catblue Posts: 872 Forumite
    Agree with others - not worth the hassle of even mentioning it at this stage. It would only delay things. Be easy enough to repair the patch when it comes to it - or you could returf the entire front lawn if you want to. Shouldn't be very expensive.

    And also, if the vendor has a skip then at least he is getting rid of his rubbish and not leaving it behind in the attic or garage for YOU to sort out. Now that would annoy me.
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 18,979 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You should negotiate at least £5K off agreed price.

    NO! ONLY JOKING!

    As other posters have said grass will grow back and even if it doesn't reseeding or returfing is a minimal amount.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • fabs35
    fabs35 Posts: 101 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks to all those with helpfull advice.

    I understand that it is still his house, lawn etc but I think it may have been more thoughtful/considerate to place on his gravel driveway.

    In terms of kicking up a fuss, at most I would have asked my solicitor to request compensation for repairing the lawn - pulling out would never have been an option (as I would have lost my deposit, survey fees etc)!

    As I explained, I'm no expert when it comes to the garden but it sounds as though time/seeds will result in the lawn back to it's original state.

    Thanks again.
  • Wee_Willy_Harris
    Wee_Willy_Harris Posts: 7,512 Forumite
    I think we have been far too dismissive of the OP's concerns. Grass damage effects litteraly some people in this country, and abroad. It can leave the victim feeling hurt, hard done by and unable to enjoy a good game of cricket in their own front garden. Together, fellow posters, we can iradicate this curse.

    There are over half a million members on this website. If every one of them donated just one blade of grass, we would have enough to re-grass an area so big that I just can't be bothered to work it out.

    So, come on all you MSE members. Together, we can wipe out Damage to lawn before completion!
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