Homebuyers report- serious problems

Tazjay

My partner and I are FTBs and have recently found our perfect house and had an offer accepted on it. Everything was going smoothly, but we have just received the homebuyers report which has highlighted some problems. The main problem being that the surveyor found there to be rat droppings in the loft/roof area. The only other problems highlighted were that there is not a current gas and electricity electricity certificate. Presumably this can be easily resolved. However we have no idea what to do about the rat problem. How easy would it be to get rid of them and Is this the vendors responsibly prior to exchanging? Or would you think this kind of thing should make us withdraw our offer? We have no idea about this kind of thing and didn't expect this at all so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

G_M

Tazjay wrote: »

My partner and I are FTBs and have recently found our perfect house and had an offer accepted on it. Everything was going smoothly, but we have just received the homebuyers report which has highlighted some problems. The main problem being that the surveyor found there to be rat droppings in the loft/roof area.
If the house is right,easy enough to deal with rats. Poison or traps. Block up entry holes. Sorted.
The only other problems highlighted were that there is not a current gas and electricity electricity certificate.
Well unless you instruct a gas engineer and sparkie to do an inspection, there won't be will there?!
Presumably this can be easily resolved.
Yes
However we have no idea what to do about the rat problem.
See above
How easy would it be to get rid of them and Is this the vendors responsibly prior to exchanging? Or would you think this kind of thing should make us withdraw our offer? We have no idea about this kind of thing and didn't expect this at all so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Enjoy your new home!

BitterAndTwisted

None of these are "serious problems"!

The first one you mention does have a remedy but you should also check whether there is any damage caused by the infestation. Those rat-droppings could be decades old.

And no, I would not rely on the vendor resolving this. They could say they've taken steps and do nothing. You either decide that the property is worth what it will cost to resolve or walk away.

The other two issues are trivial. All surveyors mention them as they are not part of their professional qualifications. Get the property checked by a someone suitably certified and qualified if you like.

pmlindyloo

Just to add.

Are you in touch with your vendors? A quick word to let them know what the surveyor has found should alert them to dealing with it before you move in (although you should check what has been done!) You might like to ask your solicitor to ask them to deal with it/check that it has been done, as you are concerned that if left too long it might cause a problem.

You never know, the surveyor may have already told them when he was doing the survey and they are dealing with it now!

Not a huge problem and certainly shouldn't put you off buying.

zzzLazyDaisy

It is worth checking if your local authority offers a pest control service. Ours does not charge for rats, and makes only a minimal charge for mice/wasps etc. But every local authority is different.

Put the postcode of the new house into the box in this link

https://www.gov.uk/report-pest-problem

This will take you to your LA website. Put 'pest control domestic' into the search box and you should get a list of services that they offer.

JennyW_2

Tazjay wrote: »

My partner and I are FTBs and have recently found our perfect house and had an offer accepted on it. Everything was going smoothly, but we have just received the homebuyers report which has highlighted some problems. The main problem being that the surveyor found there to be rat droppings in the loft/roof area. The only other problems highlighted were that there is not a current gas and electricity electricity certificate. Presumably this can be easily resolved. However we have no idea what to do about the rat problem. How easy would it be to get rid of them and Is this the vendors responsibly prior to exchanging? Or would you think this kind of thing should make us withdraw our offer? We have no idea about this kind of thing and didn't expect this at all so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I wish these had been our only purchase problems

Rats-as above, pest control- no problem. Your vendors could get this done for you prior to exchange

As for the certificates, again no big problem. Depends if it bothers you that there isn't any. I've sold in the past without this documentation and its never caused a problem

Tazjay

Thanks for your replies. We are meeting with the vendor this week to discuss the problems and hopefully come to some sort of resolution.

kwmlondon

Tazjay wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. We are meeting with the vendor this week to discuss the problems and hopefully come to some sort of resolution.

I'd say have a good chat with your conveyancers. You're paying them for advice so get theirs, they will probably have been through this before.

AND

Tell the forum what they said to you as these discussions stay on line and can be a useful resource for people looking things up in the future.

Good luck!

teneighty

One thing to bear in mind is make sure you get the wiring checked out thoroughly.

All rodents love to chew on the plastic coating of electrical wiring, I've seen long lengths stripped back to bare cable hidden under floorboards etc.