Estate Agent has asked to see valuation report

katie25

Hi All

My Husband and I have recently had an offer accepted on a house for which we have just received back the homebuyers report.

Whilst the report looks ok, it does state that there appears to be damp found on the 3 of the outside walls. Whilst the mortgage company have not help any money back we have still decided that we would like a damp proofer to survey the property to evaluate the extent of the damp.

When I have mentioned this to the estate agent he has said that he would need to see a copy of the valuation. Is this the norm? he has said he needs to see it before he can allow any contractors to do quotes on the property.. baring in mind that the vendor has done all the viewing themselves and would therefore still be at the property when the damp proofer goes.

I've so far refused to show him the valuation and he has been a bit funny about it... do you think that he was just testing us in case we were trying to get money knocked off?

aside from that he said that he could recommend a damp proofer to go out on our behalf.. what do you think?

THanks!!! xx

chanz4

it can work in your favour having damp, why hold it back?

jaybeetoo

I don't see any harm in you just giving the EA the bit of the report that refers to damp - you don't have to give him all of the report.

When I sold a house a couple of years ago, the buyer said there were all sorts of problems on the report and wanted a price reduction. I asked for a copy of the relevant sections in the report, they refused so I wouldn't drop the price. I then sold to somebody else without problems, I'm sure the original buyers were trying it on so I can understand the EA asking for proof of problems.

What have you got to lose?

anselld

If you send anyone then send an independent damp surveyor, ie one who has no interest in carrying out treatment.
eg http://www.independentdampsurveyors.co.uk/
You will have to pay.
You do not need to show the vendors or the agents your valuation report, but there again they do not need to let your surveyor in or sell you the house; it is all down to negotiation.

katie25

The survey shows that the property is valued at higher that what i'm paying. (only a touch). and also under the asking price so i doubt there is more room to negotiate further.

I suppose sending him the part re the damp wouldn't hurt. I'll do that.

I'm thinking I will try to send around my own damp proofer and allow them to do their's also so at least we will get a bigger picture of what's needed.

Thanks everyone. I can honestly say that buying /selling a house is the most stressful thing I've done and will never do again!

xxx

ValHaller

Even if the Homebuyer's report did not mention damp and you wanted a survey for damp, you should expect your damp surveyor to be given access. What the Homebuyer's report says is neither here nor there.

When you may reasonably be asked for sight of the survey is if you are renegotiating on the basis of something revealed by the report.

katie25

ValHaller wrote: »

Even if the Homebuyer's report did not mention damp and you wanted a survey for damp, you should expect your damp surveyor to be given access. What the Homebuyer's report says is neither here nor there.

When you may reasonably be asked for sight of the survey is if you are renegotiating on the basis of something revealed by the report.

you know what, that's a good point.

to be fair I think the Vendor's wouldn't be bothered , it's just the estate agents are on the defensive at the first instance.

I have the number for the people buying my house and it's much easier to send a little text to update instead of going through the estate agents.

i'll stop moaning now!

Katie

Yorkie1

katie25 wrote: »

When I have mentioned this to the estate agent he has said that he would need to see a copy of the valuation. Is this the norm? he has said he needs to see it before he can allow any contractors to do quotes on the property.. baring in mind that the vendor has done all the viewing themselves and would therefore still be at the property when the damp proofer goes.

...

aside from that he said that he could recommend a damp proofer to go out on our behalf.. what do you think?

THanks!!! xx

I think that you should keep your document to yourself.

In addition to the fact that there's probably a non-disclosure clause in there from the surveyor (which would work to your advantage if you wanted to rely on it), you don't want the EA to organise someone to do the damp reports - you want to retain independence from someone who is working for the seller rather than you.

It's up to the seller whether or not they grant access, not the EA.

If the EA or seller continues to refuse access to your own surveyor without sight of the document, I'd wonder what they were up to or trying to conceal. You've already shown commitment to the property by getting a survey done. As VH says, the documents are irrelevant unless you seek to renegotiate on the basis of them.

You've been given the link to a frequently-recommended website for damp surveyors, so I'd use them.

martinsurrey

simply tell them that you 100% do not want to negotiate on price regardless on the outcome of the survey as you feel the deal is very fair (which it is), that its for your own piece of mind and to plan work you want to do after completion.

being open and honest will go a long way IMO.

Mallotum_X

I wouldn't show him. Explain that you wish to check out the damp status with a qualified expert.

Do not use anyone the EA recommends, but find out who it is then get your own independent person.

If the agent is being funny over it, that would set alarms ringing for me. has the house been under offer previously?

penguingirl

You have paid for the survey so it is yours, I would be of the attitude that if the EA or vendor want the information they should have paid for it. It's not normal for surveys to be shared, other than information about key aspects (e.g. paragraphs about damp) or that it is less than the agreed price. My alarm bells would be ringing about why the EA wants it (to see if they can get a bargain for themselves/family?)