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Potentially unsafe property on sale
varghesejim
Posts: 151 Forumite
As first time buyers we have viewed a property which was newly painted to hide the appalling situation it is in.However the most alarming thing we have noticed is the ceiling of the ground floor is showing cracks and a bulge where the bathroom is on top. It looks like the ceiling could fell down. It is potentially dangerous for the viewers and the agent.
Normally I wouldn't bother, but I am worried this might kill someone. If I should let the estate agent know what do I tell them as they clearly know about the condition of the property?
Normally I wouldn't bother, but I am worried this might kill someone. If I should let the estate agent know what do I tell them as they clearly know about the condition of the property?
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Comments
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By all means, let the estate agent know.
There is nothing else for you to do.0 -
What's the back story?
Do you think that an agent wouldn't notice when you did from the street?0 -
jjlandlord wrote: »What's the back story?
Do you think that an agent wouldn't notice when you did from the street?
The agent showed us around. We have seen inside. No back story- we are buyers.
Will update the OP to get it clear.0 -
varghesejim wrote: »The agent showed us around. We have seen inside. No back story- we are buyers.
If the agent showed you around then they know more than you...
Are you trying to drive a hard bargain, or just trying to alienate the agent?0 -
The bathroom is on top of the roof???"You were only supposed to blow the bl**dy doors off!!"0
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and they've painted the house to camouflage it in the street?maninthestreet wrote: »The bathroom is on top of the roof???0 -
On a more serious note, if you DO decide to act, I would put it in writing (letter) to the agents. They would have to take more notice than a phone call etc that could (would) be ignored.
And legally, if someone died as a result of a collapse which they had been formally warned about (ie by letter) they might well be liable. As agents they have H&S responsibilities which cannot be ignored. Knowing this, they might take a formal letter more seriously.0 -
Sounds like a good way to get on the housing market. After getting a builder to quote for repairs (or work how much it would cost to gut the place) put in a ultra low offer, and make one room and toilet habitable and the take your time doing the rest.Do you want your money back, and a bit more, search for 'money claim online' - They don't like it up 'em Captain Mainwaring0
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On a more serious note, if you DO decide to act, I would put it in writing (letter) to the agents. They would have to take more notice than a phone call etc that could (would) be ignored.
And legally, if someone died as a result of a collapse which they had been formally warned about (ie by letter) they might well be liable. As agents they have H&S responsibilities which cannot be ignored. Knowing this, they might take a formal letter more seriously.
I'd second that.
The thing is I wouldn't be the slightest bit surprised if the EA totally ignores this.
However, you can live with yourself because you have taken action and, if something does happen, then you don't have to lie awake at night wondering if you should have said something/might have prevented it. This being because you've done what you could to prevent it.
Of course, you could keep a copy of that letter on file and, if something does happen and you can see that there is a relative/other interested party that is contactable, then give them a copy of your letter and say that you had kept it just in case. It would then be up to them to decide whether they would use the evidence of negligence you had provided them with in any way. What you would have done is, in effect, to make a "record in the House's 'Accident Book' " in the exact same way that employees can make one in their work accident book - just in case....0 -
jjlandlord wrote: »If the agent showed you around then they know more than you...
Are you trying to drive a hard bargain, or just trying to alienate the agent?
No, we are not buying this house!
We don't want to alienate the agent as this particular agent markets a lot of properties in the area-we might be interested in one of them.
By looking at the username I presume you are a landlord. Is that fact affecting your judgement in this situation?0
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