Halifax valuer delay

MrChandlerBing

FTB using the halifax for a mortgage.

Application went in almost 2 months ago. They first request a structural survey before they can value. 2 weeks pass they then request a damp report before they can value.

That was about 12 working days ago and we have still heard nothing from them.

Do we have any recourse here? The application fee and product fee were not cheap. How can they charge us so much and be so slow

what am I paying for?

amnblog

Is there something particularly unusual about the property or it's condition?

kingstreet

They haven't actually instructed the surveyor to do the valuation inspection yet?

How do they know they need additional reports?

MrChandlerBing

Sorry, they instructed the surveyor to do a valuation inspection, he said he couldn't value it until he received a structural report. After the structural report was handed in, two weeks passed and then they requested a damp report.

kingstreet

So, Colleys have actually been and were unable to value the property in its current condition without additional reports/estimates?

It must be in a bit of a state. Did you discuss this with whoever is arranging your mortgage beforehand?

It may be unmortgageable. What does the structural say about it?

MrChandlerBing

I wouldn't say its in that bad of a state. The structural report noted some minor damages, up to a value of about 1k. The damp report was similar. Nothing unexpected for an older house.

kingstreet

What's this minor damage, you mention?

amnblog

Fess up Bing - none of this makes any sense

claire80

The same company did a valuation for my buyer for halifax and won't give it a value until they have a structural report either. We lost a buyer becasue of this , We had the structural report done ourselves anyway and there is absolutley nothing wrong. They refused to give it a value and we have as a result lost a buyer - my house is in good condition - few minor things as with most old houses but i was surprised they wouldnt give it any value what so ever .

hope you get your offer soon

kingstreet

The OP hasn't confirmed it was done by Colleys.

I'm assuming it is, as Colleys is owned by LBG and does the bulk of the internal valuation work for the group.

Busymum3

I hope you get this sorted out soon. How frustrating.

We have just had an offer accepted on a house and are applying for a mortgage from the Halifax, too. I am really shocked at the price they quote for a valuation survey (£680) - and even more concerned about the length of time it might take, having read this thread. I was expecting it to be within a week or two.

A building surveyor I spoke to said to get mortgage valuation first before committing to a building survey, so I'm very surprised they have asked for results of building survey, especially as they can do that survey themselves (with Colleys).

Does anyone know if you have to go with the mortgage company's own valuation surveyor, or can we appoint someone independent (and cheaper)?!