Survey

Welshlou

Hi all,

I'd like some advice please...

I've just had a sale fall through because the person got worried about some of the things the home buyers survey brought up.

Anyway, the first issue is that my agent said the person would not actually show them the report, because the surveyor told them that it is against the law to do so! So the person verbally told my agent what the report said.

Then my agent told me that due to new rules under the consumer protection act, any defect that has been identified through a survey, must now be disclosed to ALL future prospective purchasers. As such, the agent said I have to get all the work done that the survey suggests, even though I know most of it is a result of the surveyor covering his back!

An example something he said was needed was with respect to the roof, the frame was strong and fine, but a few tiles had shifted which caused a leak (now repaired). In light of this, the surveyor said the whole roof needed re-tiling, because it might be difficult to colour match the new tiles that might need to be replaced.

Is any of the above true? and if so, how can I move forward without doing work that just isn't necessary.

Cheers...

G_M

Welshlou wrote: »

Hi all,


Anyway, the first issue is that my agent said the person would not actually show them the report, because the surveyor told them that it is against the law to do so!
Rubbish - the survey belongs to the buyer (who paid for it) so it is up to them whether or not to show it to the seller


Then my agent told me that due to new rules under the consumer protection act, any defect that has been identified through a survey, must now be disclosed to ALL future prospective purchasers.
Clearly contradicts the advice you were given above - if it is illegal as 'claimed', to show you the report, how can you disclose it to future buyers!!?
Even if you ARE shown the report, you only need disclose if specifically asked (ie 'have any issues been identified with the roof?')

As such, the agent said I have to get all the work done
No
that the survey suggests, even though I know most of it is a result of the surveyor covering his back!

An example something he said was needed was with respect to the roof, the frame was strong and fine, but a few tiles had shifted which caused a leak (now repaired). In light of this, the surveyor said the whole roof needed re-tiling, because it might be difficult to colour match the new tiles that might need to be replaced.
Clearly a matter of taste - you want colour matching tiles? Re-tile the roof. Or better still, tell the buyer to! Happy with slightly mis-matched tiles? Replace the missing ones!

Is any of the above true? and if so, how can I move forward without doing work that just isn't necessary.

Cheers...

Sounds like total cr*p.

Unless you are in Scotland where I know different rules apply and then... ask a Scot!

Fire_Fox

Welcome! You are playing Chinese Whispers here, try to get something in writing from someone as to what was in the survey. It is not good if the buyer is paraphrasing the surveyor, the estate agent is paraphrasing the buyer, and you are then paraphrasing the estate agent.

Surveyors don't normally say replace an entire roof to cover their back. IMO get a properly qualified roofer who is a member of a respected trade association to report on and repair or replace the roof. If they can source matching tiles so much the better.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4262499

Welshlou

Thanks for the replies. It's a very weird situation and I think there is more to this than the buyer is letting on!