Potential House Re-wire - who's responsible?

pendragon_arther

TBagpuss wrote: »

I don't think so. They would ask for a certificate for any works which the seller declares they have had carried out, but it is not the seller's responsibility to carry out an electrical survey or inspection or to provide a certificate. And it would normally be the surveyor, not the solicitor, who would recommend having your own electrical survey or checks carried out.

The solicitor acting on behalf of our house's purchaser was obviously more thorough than your's because they requested an electrical certificate and if one wasn't provided this would have given cause for the purchaser to renegotiate the purchase price.

Davesnave

pendragon_arther wrote: »

The solicitor acting on behalf of our house's purchaser [STRIKE]was obviously more thorough than your's because they requested[/STRIKE] talked me into providing an electrical certificate [STRIKE]and [/STRIKE] by claiming if one wasn't provided this would have given cause for the purchaser to renegotiate the purchase price.

I've corrected that for you.

Obviously, the intricacies of every sale will be different, but if no work has been carried out, it's not generally expected that an owner will provide an electrical certificate. That's all part of the extras beyond the survey, including matters like drains, specialist timber & damp and central heating checks.

tired_dad

I think the OP comment on cash buyer in the original post may be important.

Most of us purchase with a mortgage. Your solicitor acts for both you and your lender. The lender will stipulate lots of things such as a valuation, all the surveys, buildings certificates from extensions etc etc.

If you are paying cash, there is no lender so the solicitor acts for you only. The solicitor is paid to do what the client wants and could include completing on a wreck.

pendragon_arther

Davesnave wrote: »

I've corrected that for you.

Obviously, the intricacies of every sale will be different, but if no work has been carried out, it's [STRIKE]not [/STRIKE]generally expected that an owner will provide an electrical certificate. [STRIKE]That's all part of the extras beyond the survey, including matters like drains, specialist timber & damp and central heating checks.[/STRIKE]

Thanks for your editing. I suppose it depends on the professionalism of the solicitor and the searches they are prepared to undergo. Our purchaser's solicitor even asked for evidence of the council's permission for my father to build an extension over the sewer outlet some forty years prior. The solicitor acting on your behalf is is the last line of defence and if this isn't common practice it is evident it should be.

Davesnave

pendragon_arther wrote: »

Thanks for your editing. I suppose it depends on the professionalism of the solicitor and the searches they are prepared to undergo. Our purchaser's solicitor even asked for evidence of the council's permission for my father to build an extension over the sewer outlet some forty years prior. The solicitor acting on your behalf is is the last line of defence and if this isn't common practice it is evident it should be.

Solicitors can ask for whatever they like. Sometimes, they get lucky. At other times, the vendor, following what is common practice, will turn around and do a Charles De Gaulle (1967) because they feel confident.

It's all part of that rich tapestry which is negotiation.

phil24_7

tired_dad wrote: »

I think the OP comment on cash buyer in the original post may be important.

Most of us purchase with a mortgage. Your solicitor acts for both you and your lender. The lender will stipulate lots of things such as a valuation, all the surveys, buildings certificates from extensions etc etc.

If you are paying cash, there is no lender so the solicitor acts for you only. The solicitor is paid to do what the client wants and could include completing on a wreck.

When buying the house, a solicitor appointed by you, works solely for you. If he was working for both there would be a conflict of interests. If a re-mortgage, you may accept the lenders solicitor as you should have already done your checks. This solicitor is working solely for the lender.