Stupid conveyancing questions

Slinky

The buyer of our flat has gone with a cheap on-line conveyancing service we think.

The questions we are being asked border on the ridiculous. Last week a couple of questions about settlement of foundations and the possibility of radon gas affecting the property. This week's question about surface water drainage (why not ask it with last week's questions?)

I'm saying they are stupid questions............. as it's a second floor flat!

Where's the common sense in this?

hazyjo

There are some ridiculous questions when it comes to flats. My hubby's selling one at the moment and has been asked similar things and he was 2nd floor too.

I'm guessing that the buildings insurance is paid by the management co/freeholder. In this case, that covers the whole block, not just a section of whatever one person lives. If the ground floor flooded or if there was a drainage issue, or a crack appeared at ground level, everyone in the block would effectively be responsible and everyone's insurance would be affected as a whole.

Could be wrong, but it's how I'd interpret it.

Jx

Cannon_Fodder

Its only a 2nd floor flat because the foundations are holding it up...

I think its entirely sensible to try to be sure it will remain a 2nd floor flat.

Slinky

We replied to say that the only way we'd know about the foundations settling would be if there were any cracks in our walls, which their aren't.

But radon gas in a second floor flat? Do they really need to ask that?

hazyjo

Slinky wrote: »

We replied to say that the only way we'd know about the foundations settling would be if there were any cracks in our walls, which their aren't.

But radon gas in a second floor flat? Do they really need to ask that?

If the flat/s below had been affected, I'm sure it would affect the value of the block.

I'm pretty sure it's a bog standard form that asks this anyway so it might have been ignored or missed and the solicitors were just doing their job in putting ticks into boxes on the original forms. I'm sure I had a question on mine about radon gas and whether anything had been tested and I just ticked the 'no' box. I wouldn't worry too much, it's just a case of dotting i's and crossing t's. Might seem like a lot of questions are pointless (most of them are), they're just asking bog standard questions, they don't really have a separate list of questions for ground floor properties or ones on higher floors.

Jx

Richard_Webster

Or requiring copies of the planning permission for the original construction of a fourteenth century listed cottage?

Or wanting a copy of a tree preservation order when the client is selling a flat?

lee636

They may have been on a forum and been advised to ask questions like these.....

timmyt

Slinky wrote: »

The buyer of our flat has gone with a cheap on-line conveyancing service we think. most on this web site do...cheap in conveyancing is always a mistake....why eat Tesco value beans when your neighbours get waitrose

The questions we are being asked border on the ridiculous. Last week a couple of questions about settlement of foundations and the possibility of radon gas affecting the property. Perfectly reasonable, you just clearly do not understand their questions...very serious questions they are asking This week's question about surface water drainage (why not ask it with last week's questions?) indeed, as if gutter water does not drain away it could leave localised flooding in the garden etc...not nice

I'm saying they are stupid questions............. as it's a second floor flat! still need to know as all relevant to know in case they make payments under any maintenance charge higher...but yes, the lawyers may just be using a standard form of enquiry, so just say 'second floor flat; , only takes a second to reply like that and bat them back.

bet your lawyer didn't call or email these questions to you, but 'posted' them...lost you some time

Where's the common sense in this?

good luck OP