3 days before exchange, vendor does not allow a structure engineer to view property

lxx

UPDATE: finally exchanged!

Thanks for everyone who gave me valuation advice on the previous threads

As a first time buyer, I am supposed to exchange the contract on 28 August, which is the deadline set buy the vendor, he is purchasing another property.

Had a lot of problems as detailed in the previous 2 threads - vendor finally agreed to take Building Regulations Indemnity Insurance to cover the partition wall and the conservatory, Public Sewer indemnity Policy to cover the lack of build over agreement (I have to pay £120 towards the policy as the vendor only reluctantly agreed to contribute £400).

I asked to get another structure engineer to view the property. First the vendor replied to EA by email "post exchange, yes". EA persuaded me to do it this weekend but would not postpone the exchange to the next week.

I insisted as my solicitor suggested to view before the exchange. Then the agent said I would be allowed for viewing but I could not bring a structure engineer!!! It sounds very suspicious to me - the reason he put forward was the vendor was packing so would not want anyone else be in the property. But previously EA said weekend would be fine for me to bring someone for the viewing?

BTW the envirosearch result shows there is moderate ground instability and has advised that a house buyers survey should be carried out to look for signs of property damage. However my surveyor did not mention it in his building survey report. My surveyor did not reply to email/call/text.

The house has a damp problem, my surveyor estimated all repairs including damp, external wall, extra supporting strut to roof etc totally 15k, vendor agreed to contribute 5k plus some free appliances, EA said I got a bargain! How? I got to find another 10k...

I am very much confused and stressed - what shall I do now, any suggestions?

Many thanks for your comments in advance

alchemist.1

Tell the seller that you wont be able to exchange until a structural engineer has seen the property. If he doesn't agree pull out of buying the property.

lxx

Forgot to mention I only viewed the property twice - first viewing around 15 minutes with the EA before making an offer, second viewing with my surveyor however the surveyor did not show me the damp or cracks on the wall, he only told me about the problems after we left the property. Most of the time I was talking to the vendor on the second viewing.

My solicitor has told me it is normal to have a last viewing before the exchange, so I assume that I am not being unreasonable?

My solicitor has been very nice and very helpful - feeling lucky that I didn't got pursuaded to use EA's solicitor!

lxx

alchemist.1 wrote: »

Tell the seller that you wont be able to exchange until a structural engineer has seen the property. If he doesn't agree pull out of buying the property.

Thanks, I just don't understand why wouldn't allow a structure engineer! Maybe I should not be too honest and tell them everything?

The vendor and EA knew the damp problem already and they had a damp report done however they did not mention anything to me until my surveyor found the high meter reading. EA is now blaming me not trusting him but insisting a viewing. He told me there would be no problem!

andre_xs

We are on our way to become first time buyers as well. Given the amount of money involved, it would be too risky that he wants to hide something. I guess the more he refuses to have a proper report/ inspection or whatever done, the more suspicious I would be and the more I would insist on doing it.

If he refuses, I wouldn't buy.

lxx

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

The vendor thinks you're looking for reasons to drive the price down further or create a delay and he's just not going to go thproblems found. He's losing his patience with you.

You're right of course but it's not going to help you much.

Thanks for your response

I have already told the EA explicitly I am not looking to get a reduction in purchase price, but trying to assure myself everything is fine given so many problems found.

I feel suspicious as EA contradicts himself by saying no problem at all to view the property with someone post exchange, but now insists only myself allowed before exchange.

If no material problem found, I will certainly go ahead. I have arranged to transfer 10% deposit and made appointment with my solicitor to sign the contract.

lxx

andre_xs wrote: »

We are on our way to become first time buyers as well. Given the amount of money involved, it would be too risky that he wants to hide something. I guess the more he refuses to have a proper report/ inspection or whatever done, the more suspicious I would be and the more I would insist on doing it.

If he refuses, I wouldn't buy.

Good luck with your purchase

I had a building survey and an estimated repairs costs of 15k, vendor only agreed to contribute 5k, EA commented my surveyor's estimation and valuation as ridiculous!

bigfreddiel

It's simple, just walk away if the vendor won't allow the surveyor acces.

You won't be losing anything, just a house full of expensive problems potentially

fj

lxx

bigfreddiel wrote: »

It's simple, just walk away if the vendor won't allow the surveyor acces.

You won't be losing anything, just a house full of expensive problems potentially

fj

Thanks fj

uncreative

Remember they are all interested (and ONLY interested) in you buying the property, you need to move at what you think is the right pace.

You need to talk to your solicitor and surveyor who ares the only ones really acting for you in all this.

lxx

Quizzical_Squirrel wrote: »

The vendor thinks you're looking paranoideasons to drive the price down further or create a delay and he's just not going to go there. He's losing his patience with you.

You're right of course but it's not going to help you much.

I do think and hope you are right

However I am not trying to delay the process, what shall I do? Am I paranoid?