I think I've just been gazundered....

somethingcorporate

Incyder wrote: »

Why not just offer them 1k off to cover the flat roof repair.

How about the OP considers doing this themselves?

olbas_oil wrote: »

Get them to fax a full copy of the survey to you. They will be very reluctant to do this, but you can state plainly that if they want you to consider any reduction based on this 'evidence' you will need to see it.
The survey will also include a valuation. If that is the same/above your agreed price, then you should negotiate around that. If not, just ignore.

The valuation is for the bank and not the seller so there is no requirement of the buyer to provide this.

We renegotiated ours despite the valuation coming back in line with the original offer price. The offer was made without the knowledge of expensive defects and hence the purchasers can do what they please.

iB1

I agree with Incyder. Naturally, being first time buyers, they've probably got the survey back and had a heart attack when they've read about the roof. And if the flat roof needs immediate replacement then they're perfectly within their rights to ask for a reduction to fix that. However, I think that they're chancing it asking for 6K off... but if you don't ask, you don't get I suppose!

I'd offer them a 1K reduction as a final offer - it shows that you've understood their concerns, but it doesn't completely drain you of resources. There's no point selling up and being so skint that you have to beg/borrow and leave yourself heavily overdrawn. If the boiler went bang in your new house in a few months time then you'd be scuppered.

olbas_oil

somethingcorporate wrote: »

The valuation is for the bank and not the seller so there is no requirement of the buyer to provide this.

The OP stated that this was a full structural survey, therefore the valuation is for the buyer (and may also serve to satisfy any mortgage provider). The buyer is free to disclose this to the vendor, or to withold it as they wish.
However if it is this survey that is being used as evidence of the house's condition, then, as vendor, I would expect to see it before any negotiation based on the survey result.... and if it was missing the final page and valuation, I'd have a sneaking suspicion that the valuation supported the agreed price (or more!)
As a negotiating tactic it works. You are appearing reasonable, open to a possible reduction in price; they may simply drop the request for a reduction, rather than produce evidence that may undermine their position.
If they produce the full report, and it supports a lower valuation, then you're not committed to giving that.