Ombudsmen offer no protection for house-buyers...

AdrianC

Pamu wrote: »

We would have walked away once we had found out the implications

The implications of the lack of steels? Or the implications of lack of BR? They're very different...

The dry rot.... I think that's because of a damp issue that we need to get sorted (need a French Drain and a new damp proof course). Hopefully not a bigger problem.

That's wet rot. Dry rot is a very different beast entirely - literally, it's a fungus. If he said dry rot, that's not going to be fixed by sorting the DPC and ground levels out.

G_M

Pamu wrote: »

Dear G_M - yes I did instruct the solicitor to check. They had a copy of the surveyors report, which stated they needed to check it, .... .

So I would not go after the surveyor as he's covered his back, though you could perhaps bring a joint action.

The solicitor appears to have been negligent, so you need legal advice to determine how strong a case you have, and what, realistically, you can claim and expect to receive.

Speak to a litigation solicitor in another firm.

Do you have legal cover under your house insurance? Union?

ReadingTim

What outcome were you hoping for? That you'd be awarded £40,000 for the cost of a new loft conversion like some sort of 'new for old' insurance policy?

Frankly, that ain't gonna happen, as the ultimate responsibility lies with you, the buyer, to decide whether or not to proceed with the purchase of the property - in this case, the advisors can only advise - the buck stops with you.

If you feel you've been hard done by, engage another law firm to challenge the results in the courts, but I suspect you're quibbling about the amount of compensation, as the ombudsman has agreed with you on the point/principle. Here, the compensation you have received thus far is therefore likely to be related to the fees paid, but I'll suggest that if you think you're going to get much in the way of compensation for consequential loss from poor advice or inadequate following of procedures then you're going to be sorely disappointed.

TBeckett100

I suspect as you arranged the survey it came addressed to you. The survey which was for you told you what to check and you need to share some of the burden as you should have satisfied yourself that you had enough to proceed.

Did you have a mortgage in so far as the lender was using that solicitor on their behalf as well. I doubt the mortgage company will be happy that their security isn't as safe as err houses

john_white

So then, you received a document stating you should check the BR for the loft. You also saw some obvious signs of poor construction (the stairs, which you state were obvious), you still exchanged contracts?


Why?