advice

KTJ_2

Hi all,

Contracts were hoping to be exchanged this week on the sale of my house and the purchase of our new house. (completion on the 29th) However, things gone slightly wrong.

The house we are buying was found to have a beetle infestation and a rotten floor joist. As soon as we found out we said we wanted the work completed before we moved into the house (I really don’t want the fumigating to be done whilst I’m in the house as I have a 10 month old daughter and a cat).

Some of the work was under guarantee as she had this problem back in the 90's. The company who the guarantee is under came out and said they were willing to re-spray for free but didn’t think the damaged floor joist is severe enough.

The vendor refused to pay for the extra work so after much negotiating and pulling out of hair we agree to pay for it majority of it (£280).

However, Last Friday I had a call from the vendor saying that the company are now saying they may not be able to come out until October possibly November. The vendor seems genuinely annoyed that they have messed her around and was concerned that this would delay things if I didn’t want to exchange contracts before this work was done.

I insisted that I didn’t want to exchange until the work was carried out and the vendor was going to ring the company today to plead with them to get the work done this week.

Now....I believe that the company can't be !!!!d as it’s a small job and because some of the work done is under guarantee they won’t make much money, so they will be happy to put it off.

If the vendor rings me tonight and tells me they can’t come out.....I have to figure out what to do…

I'm happy to delay exchange until the work carried out but I know my buyer will freak out as she has been waiting since March. The seller also seems reluctant for a delay but seem to be fishing for me just to agree to move in and get the work done myself

I know another timber company who can come out straight away, but as they are not the company who the guarantee is under, it will cost more (£600).

…so, do you think I’m being unreasonable insisting that I won’t exchange until the spraying has been completed. The 29th is looming and I feel like im holding everything up.

Would I be stupid just to front up the money to get this other company in or should I insist she meets us half way?

Norma_Desmond

I know this must be annoying for you, but I really wouldn't delay the exchange for under £300 worth of work. We had a rotten joist show up on our survey, but as it only cost £100 to replace we just ignored it until we'd been in for a couple of weeks and then got our local carpenter to fix it - it was only a couple of hours work.
As to the fumigation, couldn't you just move your belongings in, keep them packed up and then have a night in a B&B (or in a friends' spare room) whilst the work was done?
I really wouldn't jeapordise the whole move for a couple of days of upheaval.

silvercar

All depends on the risk of losing your buyer. If you stick to your guns and don't exchange before the work is done then you risk losing your buyer. If you lose your buyer you may lose the house!

I would exchange with a retainer for the cost of the work. Then if it is not done before completion you can get someone in to do it at the seller's expense.

pawpurrs

Sorry, I dont personally see why any of this should be at the vendors expense if thats all your survey came up with, the house must be nearly perfect! No house is perfect!
With regards to the bettle infestation, Im sure if its been sprayed its not a problem and just evidence of previous problem. And if its under guarantee anyway.

KTJ_2

pawpurrs wrote:

Sorry, I dont personally see why any of this should be at the vendors expense if thats all your survey came up with, the house must be nearly perfect! No house is perfect!
With regards to the bettle infestation, Im sure if its been sprayed its not a problem and just evidence of previous problem. And if its under guarantee anyway.

I'd better explain this. The survey came back with many problems which we have excepted that we will need to remedy. This is the only thing out of a whole host of problems that we wanted fixing before we moved in (as I mentioned, 10 month daughter...toxic fumes..etc.)

The beetle infestation isnt just evidence of a previous problem. The company who should be doing the work have already come out to investigate and have confirmed that there is still an infestation. I have already suggested to the vendor that im happy to get the joist fixed after we have moved in. its just the spraying that concerns me. I know the vendor has a partner she can stay with whilst the work is done. Us having to staying in a B&B and the cat going to a cattery is yet more costs.

Also, the work is not at the vendors expense, as I mentioned we have agreed to pay for this.

Anyway....I'm going to have to have a think about this as I dont want it to be a deal breaker. I just hope I dont have to decide and that the company can come out this week to get the work done.

pawpurrs

Ok that explains it, sorry! hope it gets sorted for you. Moving is so stressful isnt it! Going through it all myself!

jamminjamaica

hi there

i understand your concerns but i would not delay the exchange as other people say it is minor work.