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

lxx

Ulfar wrote: »

I would walk away, sounds like the vendor is hiding something. Trust you instincts.

The indemnities will not pay out if it is an existing problem the vendor new about or for one of a million other reasons.

The vendor has agreed to take a building regulations indemnity insurance policy (£166) and contribute to public sewer indemnity policy(£400 out of £520).

My solicitor has advised me that these are only a legal indemnity policies i.e. they provide cover in the event of the local authority taking enforcement action for breach of building regulations etc but do not cover nor provide any compensation for any physical problems of the property.

lxx

fezster wrote: »

You are, of course, perfectly entitled to have however many surveys you choose. Satisfy yourself that the largest purchase you will ever make is the right one. And dont be pushed into exchanging until you are ready.

However, try to empathise with the seller. 3 days before exchange, you want yet another survey done, with the implication obviously being that you intend to use the result of the survey to either ask for more money off, or to pull out of the purchase. The fact you have gotten to three days before committing, to carry out this survey, shows you're not the committed buyer any reasonable person would expect so close to exchange. Im sorry this is probably not what you want to hear, and you should definitely stick to your guns, because you sound genuinely unsure of your purchase. But don't vilify the vendor, as from what you've told us, it doesn't sound like they have acted unreasonably to this point.

At the end of the day, they will have to agree to the survey or risk losing you as a buyer.

Thanks

I've explained in post 30# & 32#.

I have assured EA that I am not looking for any price reduction and I am not pulling out if there is no major structural problem.

Actually I do not really need a reason to pull out?

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

If somebody said to me I could only have a structural survey after exchange, I don't think I'd bother wasting the money on a structural survey even if they changed their mind. He's clearly got something to hide which the survey will find, and then you will pull out. Pull out now and save the money on a survey.

[Deleted User]

Given that the vendor has already tried to hide things, that the indemnity policies are of only limited value to you, and you aren't being allowed to do a structural survey which there does seem to be some need of.., I'd pull out, without a second thought.

How would you feel if this big expense turned out to be a money pit? Its not worth the risk.

And don't use that estate agent again for your searches!

DandelionPatrol

lxx wrote: »

Thanks, I am very worried about their attitude - Okay to come with anyone after exchange, before the exchange, come on your own only.

lxx wrote: »

The vendor has agreed to take a building regulations indemnity insurance policy (£166) and contribute to public sewer indemnity policy(£400 out of £520).

I would be worried by the first of the above. The combination of the 2 is bad

lxx wrote: »

My solicitor has advised me that these are only a legal indemnity policies i.e. they provide cover in the event of the local authority taking enforcement action for breach of building regulations etc but do not cover nor provide any compensation for any physical problems of the property.

Your solicitor is right. If the surveyor's concerns materialise to reality, the least of your worries will be the council taking enforcement action.

I suggest that you detach yourself from this house emotionally and start looking at others. Don't pull out for the time being, just let it run to a mexican standoff

• You say you won't exchange until you have had the structural engineer in
• He won't let the structural engineer in until you have exchanged

Drop your solicitor a letter not to exchange until you confirm in writing, to avoid accidents ...

The standoff will resolve either when you find another property or you are allowed the viewing or the vendor gets too annoyed.

jimbog

You really must walk away from this house.

You are being played by the vendor and estate agent and no matter how much time, effort and money you have invested so far you can be sure that they will have one big party once you have exchanged. After exchange your fears/insecurities will multiply 10 fold

Better_Days

A way to look at this is that the money you have already spent on this property is an investment against not being liable for further excessive cost that you may not be able to afford. In addition even if you can afford to put right any potential structural problems - the cost of the work along with what you are intending to pay for the house could end up being more than the house is worth.

When we were looking to buy a couple of years ago we found an ideal property. The survey came back 'non standard construction'. Not easy but we took the view that the £400 spent on the survey actually saved us in the region of £100,000. At the time we were gutted, but there is no point in having surveys if you are not prepared to act on the results.

As has already been said, don't let the EA and the vendor bully you. There is no point in having a survey after exchange. You are then committed to the purchase. This is a massive investment. Do your due diligence or pull out.

ReadingTim

lxx wrote: »

I have assured EA that I am not looking for any price reduction and I am not pulling out if there is no major structural problem.

If you're not looking for a price reduction, then why does it have to happen now? You're either getting hung up on a needless point of principle (and risk cutting off your nose to spite your face), or you're not being entirely honest, and are still looking for a reason to drop the price - I fail to see why only this survey can identify any "major structural problems" that haven't even been hinted at by the previous surveys you've had.

I can understand your hesitation, but feel that the vendor is either suspicious or your motives, or is simply losing patience with you.

Wassa123

I'd just say "I cannot exchange until the engineer has said it is OK. By refusing my engineer, it looks like you have something to hide. This is non negotiable and the ball is in your court".

Then ask the EA to put you back on the list of property seekers and book some viewings with them .

AdrianC

lxx wrote: »

I have assured EA that I am not looking for any price reduction and I am not pulling out if there is no major structural problem.

So get the survey done after exchange - or after you've completed.

Look, it's very easy to put yourself in the vendor's shoes here. Exchange is three days away. Your buyer is now demanding a survey happen now. What? Why? Is the report even going to be done in three days? What'll happen from it? This is classic signs of a buyer who's trying to muck you about. No wonder he's not exactly being sympathetic. And the buyer's saying "Oooh, nothing to worry about, I'll still exchange as planned no matter the result." So... umm... Nope. I wouldn't believe that reassurance, and nor would you if the boot was on the other foot.