Faults found by survey - how to progress

BeardedWonder

We have the results back from a homebuyer survey on a new build ('96) property which has found a few faults, namely:

- verge on the roof requires repointing. [FONT=&quot]Also the mortar on the valley gutters of the canopy roof need repointing. The flashing o the canopy roof has slightly lifted and should be refixed

- Windows, while fair have patches of wet rot

- The undercloak at the [/FONT][FONT=&quot]the verge of the roof coverings appears to contain asbestos

The survey hasn't rated them as critical defects saying [/FONT][FONT=&quot]they " not considered to be serious or urgent and can be repaired soon after taking ownership[/FONT]"

Being FTBs we're not sure how to progress here. What's the norm, can we get quotes and ask the vendor to take this off agreed price or at least meet us halfway?
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withabix

BeardedWonder wrote: »

- The undercloak at the verge of the roof coverings appears to contain asbestos

Nothing needs to be done with this. Just leave it where it is.

The other items are bargaining points.

BeardedWonder

How big a deal are these faults? Not sure if we can expect any serious price drop or not. Do we have to get quotes prior to haggling?

olias

Any survey will pick up faults, because that is what they are there for and no house is 100% perfect. The items picked out are very minor and TBH will cost a few hundred quid at most to fix, so as a seller, I would think you were taking the pi55 to try and negotiate down the price on the basis of them, but you can by all means try.

However.....a new build less than 5 years old exhibiting those faults would have me seriously considering what the build quality of the rest of the property is like. A property that age should not have failing mortar and rotting windows!

Olias

BeardedWonder

It's "new" in that it was built in 1996. Given that we're paying close to asking price (got gazumped then put in a counter offer) i'd like to try and shift slightly. Vendor wants to complete by end of August so maybe they'd knock a few quid off?

jonny_power

I think that because none of them are urgent or essential, you'll have a hard time negotiating. Think of it from the sellers perspective. As said, re-pointing and re-fixing isn't a major job, and could be a job you do.

BeardedWonder

jonny_power wrote: »

I think that because none of them are urgent or essential, you'll have a hard time negotiating. Think of it from the sellers perspective. As said, re-pointing and re-fixing isn't a major job, and could be a job you do.

Of course, but you've got to be cheeky and try i reckon! Worst they can say is no.

MJS2011

I'm in the middle of buying a property and I'd have been delighted with similar survey results!

If I were you I'd have a go at knocking the price down based on the rot in the windows. Perhaps browse a local paper for an idea of how much a replacement would cost, and see if the vendor will drop the price to account for that?

Whether I'd actually get a replacement I doubt, but I'd certainly give it a try. :-)

jonny_power

BeardedWonder wrote: »

Of course, but you've got to be cheeky and try i reckon! Worst they can say is no.

Yeah I agree, I just don't really see why they'd say yes. It seems like regular maintenance work that you'd get with all houses, rather than something that was uncovered that you couldn't visually see yourself when you viewed it. If they want to complete by the end of August then maybe they'll be flexible, but negotiations mean extra complication and for the sake of a few hundred quid I'm not sure it's worth the hassle.

olias

I'm really surprised that neither the OP, or anyone else posting seems surprised or bothered that a four and a half year old house would have rotten windows and loose and missing pointing!

As I have already said OP, what does that tell you about the general build quality of the property?

Olias

jonny_power

olias wrote: »

I'm really surprised that neither the OP, or anyone else posting seems surprised or bothered that a four and a half year old house would have rotten windows and loose and missing pointing!

As I have already said OP, what does that tell you about the general build quality of the property?

Olias

I'm surprised by your ability to do basic arithmetic;)