Inspecting property after contract exchange

Laurence_WMF

What, please, are the ins and outs of inspecting the property you intend to purchase, between exchange and completion, to check that all is as described and in order. Is this accepted practice?

In my case it is an occupied property. Could I do such an inspection accompanied by the estate agents? Might they even do it on my behalf (I do live along way from the property)?

If I did discover anything awry, what should I then do?

Many thanks indeed,
Laurence

daisygirlmac

I think you would be better to inspect the property before you exchange contracts and it all becomes legally binding. It's certainly something which some buyers choose to do, so not particularly unusual but might annoy the vendors a bit (assuming they are the ones who live in the property). I don't think leaving it up to the agents is a good idea, they are not working for you they are working for the vendor.

If you inspect before exchange you can refuse to exchange until x or y is put right.

witchy1066

why would wanting to have another look round annoy the vendor,
if they want the sale to go through they should be happy to let you have another look round,

personally I would advise it , you are not buying a 10k car , you are buying the most expensive purchase of your life ,
ring EA make an appointment , as daisygirl says, before exchange

daisygirlmac

Just in my experience vendors can get a bit sniffy if it's being put across as a buyer wanting to inspect the property. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do though

witchy1066

daisygirlmac wrote: »

Just in my experience vendors can get a bit sniffy if it's being put across as a buyer wanting to inspect the property. I'm not saying it's a bad thing to do though

that is so true ,

I can not understand why though, unless they have something to hide

Laurence_WMF

Wasn't possible just before exchange.

Estate agents have said that I can inspect before completion. They won't do it alone because of conflict of interest.

Any advice on legal situation should I find anything awry would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Laurence

hcb42

legal situation is you have agreed to buy.

Personally I never do this, better to get in and sort things from there rather than stress over minutae at this stage.

If anything material is not right on completion, advise your solicitor

Dan-Dan

Laurence_WMF wrote: »

What, please, are the ins and outs of inspecting the property you intend to purchase, between exchange and completion, to check that all is as described and in order. Is this accepted practice?

In my case it is an occupied property. Could I do such an inspection accompanied by the estate agents? Might they even do it on my behalf (I do live along way from the property)?

If I did discover anything awry, what should I then do?

Many thanks indeed,
Laurence

I hope you havent exchanged whilst it`s still occupied ?

Tenyearstogo

Dan-Dan wrote: »

I hope you havent exchanged whilst it`s still occupied ?

Most people in a chain will exchange whilst it's occupied.

Squoozy

I think the legal situation is that if you pull out you will lose your deposit. I'm not sure about the situation if you find something awry and still want to buy, but I think that's what the agreements regarding fixtures and fittings and exactly what will be left in the property are for. Solicitors are usually fairly careful about this. A survey should have picked up any sturctural problems, and searches pick up any issues regarding the local area. I would have thought your solicitor or conveyancer should be able to advise you fully about this.

I hope all goes well and you enjoy your new property.

Laurence_WMF

Dan-Dan wrote: »

I hope you havent exchanged whilst it`s still occupied ?

Oh no sorry, 'occupied' was a typo for 'unoccupied'! Oh dear!