Seller will not split cost.

machofairy

Our survey came through with only minor issues. One of them does require immediate action and we have been quoted £400. The vendor does not want to split cost.

We can afford to pay this sum, but is that the norm or can anyone suggest how this can be negotiated further? We did offer a few days after the house came into the market.

courtjester

Probably depends on whether you view this to be a deal breaker or not - it's not a large sum and most would probably think it not worth arguing over. Possibly the asking price and /or your accepted (lower) offer already reflects the lack of perfection in the property?

There's nothing wrong with asking for a contribution, but if the vendor says no, you then have to decide if this is sufficiently important for you to lose the purchase over.

Is there something else that you could bargain for? Say having something included in the sale that currently isn't, or setting a specific early date for exchange /completion - it's all perfectly acceptable haggling, but don't get bogged down over minor things as you could just irritate the vendor enough to sell to someone else instead.

cattie

Sorry, but if a buyer came to me about a minor issue that cost just £400 to put right & wanted me to share the cost with them I'd be pretty peed off.

No house comes without at least some problems or issues & £400 is peanuts. I'd never dream of expecting a vendor to put his hand in his pocket for a minor issue.

Thank your lucky stars the house has no real problem. You say you can afford to pay for the work, so why not just do so. I don't mean to sound harsh, but to me splitting the cost of work only comes into play when there is a serious & more costly issue with a property.