Help please-problem after completion

raindudu

Hi there,
can anyone help please! We just sold our flat and bought a new house. Everything went smoothly and we completed last month. We thought we will start to enjoy our new home. But yesterday we received an email from the solicitor from the buyer who bought our flat. There are four things. 1, one drawer was a little bit broken, 2, shower door was broken, 3, there is a damp in one of the cabinet in the hall, 4, the wiring was too old. I think these complaints are ridiculos. The drawer was always like that. The buyer came to view the flat for 7 times and he didn't raise any issue. The shower door was fine when we left. We didn't know the damp and this should be shown on the survey. Also the wiring as well. Why the buyer now come to us now. Do we have any obligation re the above issues? Can we just ignore him since he has been driving us mad through the whole procedure.
Thank u for any advice in advance.

sooz

Are you in Scotland? If so, I think the buyers have a week to complain about stuff.

If not, then kindly tell them that they had the survey, viewed 7 times, & to [STRIKE]p*ss off[/STRIKE] enjoy their new home.

KittyLady

I was under the impression houses were sold as seen. Our house turned out to have a few issues after moving in, it's just one of those things and anyone with a brain will expect something silly to happen. In our case the boiler went. Ah well.
They are trying it on, they aren't your tenants and you have no responsibility to do anything.

McKneff

I'm surprised that their own solicitor didnt tell them that they didnt have a leg to stand on.

What does your solicitor say about this anyway.

Comyface

Caveat Emptor. Buyer Beware.

Not your problem. Either ignore the letter or ask your solicitor to reply saying 'shush' (or words to that effect).

G_M

You really have two choices:
1) Ignore the email. Do nothing, Get on with your life. Mark the email as 'junk/spam' so you don't receive any more
2) Email back saying please contact my solicitor (I'm amazed the buyers solicitor came to you direct rather than doing this in the first place. No, on 2nd thoughts I guess they knew your solicitor would tell them where to go but hope to scare you into.... what? Some cash?

What you must NOT do is respond and get into any kind of debate, explanation, self-justification, compromise etc. This is not something to even discuss.

Doozergirl

A drawer was a bit broken?

Just read you post out loud to H and he just burst out laughing.

It is their own responsibility to check that they are happy before they buy. It sounds like they didn't even have a proper survey.

As already said, Either ignore it, or just ask your solicitor to send back a note to theirs asking them if they understand conveyancing law? The solicitor has only done it because your buyers have pushed. They won't be pursuing it any further, they'll advise your buyers not to bother.

Eric1

ask your solicitors if they can use the case of Arkell vs Pressdram as a legal precedent

raindudu

Thank you so much everyone. We live in London and the flat was sold for three weeks now. I totally agree that I was shocked that his solicitor even forward that email to my lawyer. My solicitor said he might be trying on. But this is so annoying. He nearlly took the whole north London to view the flat. At least 7 times. Even his ex-stepfather came. We really regret selling to him since there were another offer on the table. Oh, btw he is a paparazzi. I guess he has nothing to do.

Cannon_Fodder

Your solicitor should know how to shut down his spurious complaints. Forward the email to your solicitor for comment.

Which is ok, if you have a decent one who won't charge you - perhaps they think you will pay £100, rather than pay for solicitors time..?

It was up to the buyer to inspect directly, or arrange a survey to spot any issues. If they chose not to do so in advance of completion, then they deserve what they get...

raindudu

Eric1, you are genious!