Vendor sold house with very unsafe electrics

KRB2725

If you knew there had been electrical works and they declared there hadn't been, what action did you take at the time?

G_M

The_Shadow wrote: »

Hi many thanks for the responses, we were in fact mislead. On the Law Society form which was submitted by the vendor they stated that no work had been undertaken on the electrical system. In fact a new fitted kitchen had been installed with work on the sockets and switches which should have been Part P notified to building control with certification. . New lighting circuits had been installed with incorrect cable. Within the garage lighting cable had been used instead of 2.5mm twin and earth serving a number of 13amp sockets. Live terminal blocks are also on show.

I really hate it when posters drip feed information that is relevant. None of this was in the OP so we've all wasted out time responding.

bouicca21

So now there is another question. Were the dodgy electricals installed by the vendor or by the owner before him/her? Is there wriggle room for the vendor to deny all knowledge?

Mankysteve

What exactly does the document say?. I strongly suspect there within their knowledge or such on there.

I woundn't anything that I said the electrics are safe on property I was selling becuase I'm not qualified electrian.

The_Shadow

bouicca21 wrote: »

So now there is another question. Were the dodgy electricals installed by the vendor or by the owner before him/her? Is there wriggle room for the vendor to deny all knowledge?

The dodgy electrics were carried out by the vendor, he was just a DIY bodger at best.

The_Shadow

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

They outright lied then at that point - ie the "no work done".

My suspicion is that you probably won't get anywhere chasing them to pay any of the cost though - even though I am very surprised at someone selling a house on to another person with it being that unsafe that its causing electric shocks when touching the sink. In the vendors position, I would have protected my backside from the risk of a claim coming in against me for injuring/killing someone because of dangerous elements to the electrics that I could have "reasonably foreseen" by getting that element at least dealt with in advance of putting it on the market. So hence that surprises me that someone would risk knowingly damaging someone else's health and think they wouldn't be at risk of a claim back in response for that.

It is what it is though and, as long as they haven't killed or injured you with not fulfilling the "duty of care" I would have thought they might have - then I doubt you would get anywhere.

My solicitor believes I have a sound case on safety grounds, I will be pursuing thro the small claims court. I would not sell a house knowingly that I could endanger the life of someone.

lincroft1710

I'm old so sometimes misread posts.

BUT

OP says the vendor stated no electrical work done, yet he is aware vendor fitted new kitchen and accompanying new electrics. Why didn't he inform his solicitor of this untruth prior to exchange?

lincroft1710

The_Shadow wrote: »

My solicitor believes I have a sound case on safety grounds, I will be pursuing thro the small claims court. I would not sell a house knowingly that I could endanger the life of someone.

Why are you then asking for advice on a forum when a legal expert has already given you his opinion, and you have decided what course of action to take?

Cheeky_Monkey

The_Shadow wrote: »

The dodgy electrics were carried out by the vendor, he was just a DIY bodger at best.

How do you know that?

uncreative

lincroft1710 wrote: »

If you live in England in England or Wales, my advice would be to find a competent electrician and pay him to rectify the problems. You have have no comeback with the vendor.

What difference is there in Scotland? Is the law different or the conveyancing process different? Just out of interest.

cheers