Snagging list

noisla

I am due to complete on a house (Victorian terrace) tomorrow... my boyfriend tells me that once I get the keys, I need to go straight round and make a "snagging list", to take the estate agents i.e. things which aren't right compared to when I viewed the place.

Is this correct? I thought this was only on new builds, and that houses are "sold as seen". If I get inside and the roof has fallen in, then do I have any redress?

(We did drive past last weekend before exchange, and from the outside it still seems in one piece and not flooded!)

I've tried googling but can't find any mention of "snagging" on an old property... thanks

Mrs_Z

My understanding is the same as yours. Snagging is only to do with new builds. If you have issues with the property you bought you will need to take them up with vendors solicitors, not the Estate Agents.

LisaLou1982

Definitely no such thing as a snagging list on a resale property

AlexMac

First; congratulations on the imminent purchase, but it's maybe worrying that this brave, independent act on your part is causing your boyfriend such problems that he's trying to freak you out at this late stage. Insecure... lui?

However there is a germ of truth in his advice, so it is not totally arris / elbow confusion. According to my solicitor, the vendor is liable for any major problems which develop between exchange and completion, but I'd assumed that these are best pointed out before the completion payment, as otherwise you have little chance of enforcing a remedy.

Case in point- on my 2011 purchase 2 such problems were detected between exchange and completion- a minor plumbing leak (which the vendor got fixed) and a deep hole which appeared on the forecourt (which we didn't trust him to fix right so which our solicitor negotiated a 'retention' for; so, when fixed, we sent the bill to the vendor's solicitor who sat on the money til then).

But really, unless you can get the keys and go round there this afternoon, I'd let it go. There will almost inevitably be things wrong with a Victorian House, but unless something's included in the particulars of sale or the contractual documentation, enforcement post-completion will probably be waste of effort. For example all standard terms say 'vacant possession' which includes the assumption that they take all their rubbish, but every house I ever bought had old lumber in the loft!

I hope you love your new house and forgive your BF!

noisla

Thanks for the tips. It was a condition of purchase to have insurance from the date of exchange so I assume big issues would be an insurance job (or maybe worth taking up with the solicitors). I didn't expect to be marching to the estate agents' with a list of "scuffed paint on stairwell wall from removal of furniture" as he was suggesting though!

Also a wider thank you to the MSE forum, I've posted heaps of things on here over the last year of looking for a house, and everyone has been really helpful.

Davesnave

You will find snags, guaranteed, but like Harry Potter, the EA has this spell and they will utter it: "Caveat emptor!"

SmlSave

You can create a snagging list for any property but after exchange is completely pointless - why on earth would a seller be happy to change/repair anything now?

phill99

Is he going to remain your boyfriend?

Sideburno

I think maybe your boyfriend has done some research and seen snagging and thought it to be on any properties, but yes, I believe it's only for new builds. You're purchasing a preloved home so there's guaranteed to be a dent in the walls somewhere it's unavoidable, a new build on the other hand is brand new so you're paying for that luxury.

Thrugelmir

Did you inspect the property thoroughly prior to making an offer?

Did you have a homebuyers survey or just a valuation?

DaftyDuck

Your boyfriend isn't right. Perhaps put him on the snagging list.