renegotiating house price after survey - roof, electrics?

jp1181

We currently have an offer accepted on a house (1900s) we love, but as expected the building survey has thrown up a few issues:

- roof leaking on kitchen extension, needs repair - we requested a quote which the sellers got, came out at 2K.

This is main issue, all others we are happy to sort as they are minor, except:

The survey noted was that it was not clear if the electrics had been brought up to date, it said it 'looked like it had been rewired in the late 1980s" - which we would be happy with. But as it was not definite, we requested the sellers get an electrician to review the electrics and provide a report. - They have refused to do this stating "we have never had any issue with the electrics, if you want a report, pay for an electrician yourself". - is this reasonable? all we want is confirmation that the electrics are not from the 1950s (or older!).

Once we have this info we plan to renegotiate the price to pay for the roof issue, but don't want to do this until we know about the electrics so we can include any issue there in the renegotiation should it need a full rewire.

Are we being too cautious? unreasonable?

We are cash buyers with no chain so should be attractive buyers they don't want to lose, but we understand they were made a higher offer before they accepted ours (presumably because we are in a better position to proceed).

hazyjo

Pretty much all surveyors will say the same thing about electrics - get them checked. They're not electricians, so won't want to say 'all fine'.

It's really down to you as a buyer to have them looked at (before or after buying), not the seller. Some will foot the bill, or instruct someone, but it's really a case of 'buyer beware'. tbh, I would rather instruct someone myself anyway...

Jx

G_M

You want the electrics looked at, you pay an electrician. As seller has said - he's lived there with no probs for 5, 10 years whatever, quite happliy, why should he fork out for an unecessary inspection.

Not brought 'up to date'? Of course not. No one updates their electrics every 2 years as the regulations change! I bet you won't!

I'm amazed you let the seller get the roof quote. And equally amazed it was not £300. You want a quote - get your own!

MelaBella

G_M wrote: »

I'm amazed you let the seller get the roof quote. And equally amazed it was not £300. You want a quote - get your own!

Perhaps the real quote is somthing like 10 K, so the vendor said its 2K:)))

MelaBella

YOu definietly can try and renogotiate. Its up to them if they accept or not.

somethingcorporate

The surveys / inspections etc are to protect you so if you want them before you buy then it should be your responsibility to sort them out.

I'd not be satisfied with a quote from the seller as it is in their interest to keep the cost down so hardly independent - I'd certainly get a second or third opinion.

I think you're being unreasonable on the electrics too - is this the first house you have ever bought?

You can renegotiate price right up until exchange of contracts but do not expect them to budge on the price - the price they accepted was based on their knowledge of the existing electrics and roof.

MelaBella

somethingcorporate wrote: »

You can renegotiate price right up until exchange of contracts but do not expect them to budge on the price - the price they accepted was based on their knowledge of the existing electrics and roof.

Not always the case. They have accepted the price which was suggested by OP, even if they think its a bit overpriced given the house conditions.

jp1181

It is the first house I have bought (previously bought a flat though)

Appreciate the comments on the electrics, will get someone in ourselves to have a look - or may just cross our fingers and hope any work isn't too extensive (it looked to me like it was a fairly recent job, i.e. not 1950s more like late 1980s)

As for the roof, I spoke directly to the company that gave the quote once it was supplied, so feel comfortable that it is a respectable one. Will consider getting another quote.

However I do feel that it's right for us to renegotiate because of this quote, the offer was made by us without being told about the roof issue, if we knew before we would have offered less.

Am I naive in thinking they would silly to lose us as buyers (25% deposit ready to go, no chain etc) over a 2K reduction?

chickaroonee

2k sounds a lot for a roof repair to me - where I am you could have your roof replaced for that. I think it depends on what value the surveyor put on the house - if it is valued 2k less than you offered fair enough; if it is valued at the same but has a roof needing repair I don't think they should necessarily reduce the price - it'll depend how much they want to go ahead.

Perhaps they could meet you half way,

john_white

They would not be silly to let go as buyers.

In post 1 you were cash buyers, then in post 8 you only had 25% deposit.

jp1181

john_white wrote: »

They would not be silly to let go as buyers.

In post 1 you were cash buyers, then in post 8 you only had 25% deposit.

Apologies you are right I didn't mean cash buyers I meant we have a good deposit, mortgage offer and no chain. They have had one sale fall through already and now have a purchase underway themselves so feel that makes us good buyers.