House details misrepresented by estate agent - advice please

marytee

Hello

I am really uncertain how to proceed. I am buying a house that was marketed with two car parking spaces. The solicitor has found out that the two spaces are not for the house but are communal. The enquiries and EA details are contrary to this. My feelings are that I should be able to renegotiate price, although I don't think the vendors will accept this. Advice welcome please.

Annie1960

Believe what your solicitor says, not the vendor/EA. You could consider complaining to the Ombudsman about the EA.

How much do you want this particular house? You made your original offer believing that there were two parking spaces, so it seems reasonable to me that now you know the truth the price should be lower.

Also, if they have given misleading information about parking, what else have they mis-stated?

ging84

it really depends on the situation
it could make no difference, possibly be an advantage, if it means they are maintained by the council and it's in the sort of place it's unlikely anyone else would park there as there's plenty of alternative parking closer to all the other properties.
Or it could be an area which has no alternative parking perhaps even within a 5 minute walk, and lots of cars trying to park in the spaces, which would be a massive problem

AnnieO1234

Where is the property located? As in, is it an area of high traffic? If you even slightly think there'all be parking problems I'd be looking at reducing by 5k per space at a minimum for a town. If it's a village type set up however then I'd maybe only look for £1,000 off the price. Either way it's a reduction I would seek.

Ask your solicitor how many other people can use the communal parking. You will then be able to assess how much of a problem it will be. For example if there's only five abodes sharing 10 spaces then that's not a problem. If however it's a new development and doesn't really have enough parking to begin with then you're going to struggle.

Also, try to work out what the make up of the neighbours with access is like. Are the two spaces available because, for example, a couple of neighbours are housebound? What happens when their homes are sold? Does someone else with two cars move in and cause more problems.

Xx

Davesnave

Also, as you should always do, visit the property when pressure on parking is highest, such as in the evenings.