Building Survey Report requested by agent

Robs_2

Hi All,

We are trying to buy a house that isn't in good condition. We had a Building Survey report completed (at our expense £615) and have found lots of major issues (complete rewire, new roof and damp/rot). We have started to get quotes for the work but have also gone back to the seller (through the agent) to request a price reduction of £40K. The agent just phoned and requested that I send the report to him so he can discuss it with the seller to decide on whether/how much to reduce the price. I said I would send the quotes instead but the agent wants the report. Should I send the agent the report?
If I don't they may not reduce the price but if we do they have our report which is meant to be our bargining tool.
Any ideas?

Thanks,
Robs

Lord_Dante

I personally typed out the specifics from the report. I wouldn't send the whole thing. Or failing that just copy specific pages/sections. I didn't feel happy giving them the whole report as I paid for it and didn't want the estate agent or owner having full copies to themselves.

FireWyrm

I dont see why not...perhaps someone else has a different opinion. When I was doing this, I sent the report on the first house which resulted in it being withdrawn from market (we didnt want it anyway) and again for the second house which resulted in the immediate remedial work being carried out at the vendors expense. However, I did make it clear to the EA that this report was my property and it should not fall into anyone elses hands, and I had one of the apparently few decent EA's in the country who has tried his damndest to get us through at least one successful sale out of three attempts.

Yorkie1

I tend to agree with the first response - the report belongs to me and I don't want the potential for its misuse. That being said, you need to decide how much to disclose because otherwise the seller doesn't know you're being genuine. I'd copy or type out the relevant summary bits and then send quotes.

G_M

It is only a bargaining tool if you use it to bargain. By not sharing it, you are not using it! The vendor is likely to think you are making up all these defects and required works.

By showing it, you make it clear yiu have a valid claim for a price reducion. Aalso he'll know that if he loses you as a buyer, the next buyer's surveyor is likely to report the same issues.

[Deleted User]

Why don't you take the report to the estate agents let them have a read & take it back?