Buyer wants to see our old survey

deaston

We're selling our 1930's semi and I got a call last week from our estate agent saying the buyers want to see the survey we had done on the house when we bought it seven years ago.

I'm not sure how I feel about this and don't really know how to answer.

G_M

Do you still have it?

Does it show anything that might cause them alarm?

If yes, and no, why not show them a copy on the clear understanding they cannot rely on it in any way.

Who knows? They may skip their own survey and not find out about your leaky roof....!!!!!!

deaston

It's got a few pointers about bits and bobs which needed doing (but never did), but nothing too serious (from what I remember). But I feel like I'm making a rod for my own back if I just hand it over only for them to pull out or ask for a reduction.

LittleMax

I don't think I'd have a problem if my buyers wanted to see the survey we had done. We paid for a full structural survey but seem to recall it didn't tell us anything we hadn't already noticed. I think it talked about some cracks in the lean-to but we have solved that problem - there is now a lovely decked area where the lean-to once stood!

If in doubt - just say you aren't sure whether you still have it. That way you aren't seen to be withholding it.

pinkshoes

I would happily let them see it, but not necessarily HAVE a copy. Onvite them round for a cuppa!

If you have no furthe use for it, and it helps you get a sale, then I cant see why you cant give them a copy.

themull1

If they've paid for their own survey first, let them see a copy, if not, don't.

G_M

deaston wrote: »

It's got a few pointers about bits and bobs which needed doing (but never did), but nothing too serious (from what I remember). But I feel like I'm making a rod for my own back if I just hand it over only for them to pull out or ask for a reduction.

Well if you fear they'll see things on the report that might worry them, or about which they'll ask: "Have you fixed it?" to which you'll have to say: "No", then just say you've lost it.

As pinkshoes say, if it will help the sale, show them. Conversly if it will hinder the sale - don't!

deaston

themull1 wrote: »

If they've paid for their own survey first, let them see a copy, if not, don't.

They've had the standard valuation survey - we can tell because the guy turned up three days ago and stayed for about two minutes and then left.

G_M

deaston wrote: »

They've had the standard valuation survey - we can tell because the guy turned up three days ago and stayed for about two minutes and then left.

Makes sense.

They've gone for the cheapest option and hope to glean a bit of extra, free, information.

deaston

G_M wrote: »

Well if you fear they'll see things on the report that might worry them, or about which they'll ask: "Have you fixed it?" to which you'll have to say: "No", then just say you've lost it.

As pinkshoes say, if it will help the sale, show them. Conversly if it will hinder the sale - don't!

But then it's the concern that if we don't show them, they'll have a survey done which will then throw-up even worse things than are in our 8-year-old one.

I sense there is no right or wrong to this. I hate them for asking!!

themull1

At least they've forked out for a survey, but you could just say you've misplaced it. They should have paid for a full survey and not been so tight!!