Who foots the bill for additional surveys?

tilley2904

Hi all,

Looking to see what is the norm with regards to buyers wanting further surveys done after their homebuyers report.

Our buyers homebuyers report has of course picked up all the usual things that the surveyor puts to cover their bums.

Buyers now want:
Damp & timber survey (EA says will get 'Freebie' which to me means it will be a company who also carry out remedial works for damp, surprise surprise)
Gas & electrics safety certificate
CCTV drainage report
Possibly a builder to come and look at Windows and doors which may or may not have lintels

I would expect that the buyers would have to pay for all of these additional surveys and reports just as they did with thier homebuyers report.

I just wanted to check that this is indeed the norm, I'm not happy to pay out anything for reports and surveys for the buyers peace of mind, after accepting 5k less on asking price for a 'quick sale' which is now in its 7th week with no indication of dates for exchange after asking regularly.

Thanks all

kinger101

The buyer should pay. Tell your EA to mind their own business regarding the damp survey. They have no right getting involved in the buyer's due diligence.

You can't exchange until the buyer is ready, so I'd stop pestering them for a date.

marksoton

tilley2904 wrote: »

after accepting 5k less on asking price for a 'quick sale' which is now in its 7th week with no indication of dates for exchange after asking regularly.

I'd have it back on the market....

fezster

Using a "free" damp surveyor usually means a guarantee that they will find work which needs doing. I don't see how the EA arranging this for you helps you in any way, given they should be acting on your behalf. Tell them to not get involved and to let the buyer carry out whatever due diligence they feel is necessary. In the mean time, if you're unhappy with how quickly things are progressing, and feel you can easily obtain another buyer, you are free to re-market the property, but obviously risk annoying and losing your current buyers.

AdrianC

The simple answer is whoever agrees to pay.

If they ask you to pay, you have to decide whether the expense is worth the risk of them walking away.

tilley2904

Thanks for your replies. I have spoken to EA again just now and questioned why she is arranging all of these additional things which were highlighted on thier homebuyers report - apparently this is what they would normally do!! Also, stated that I'm not willing to pay for any of this.
Unfortunately I think our buyers have been well and truly fleeced by our estate agents after having a mortgage via thier in house 'broker', conveyancing from thier 'recommended' firm and also homebuyers report from thier 'recommended' surveyors.
Which in turn has probably gained them more commission than the fee which they will get from us for selling through them!!
Do I have a good point in bringing it up again about them arranging all of this for them or should i just leave it as is and see what happens?

AdrianC

All you can do is say "That's fine if the buyer wishes to arrange and pay for them".

If the buyer wishes to use the EA to arrange additional surveys that they believe they need, then that's entirely down to them - whether you believe them unnecessary or not, and whether you question the EA's motives or not.

marksoton

tilley2904 wrote: »

Unfortunately I think our buyers have been well and truly fleeced by our estate agents after having a mortgage via thier in house 'broker', conveyancing from thier 'recommended' firm and also homebuyers report from thier 'recommended' surveyors.
Which in turn has probably gained them more commission than the fee which they will get from us for selling through them!!
Do I have a good point in bringing it up again about them arranging all of this for them or should i just leave it as is and see what happens?

Well more fool them. I'd put it back on the market for a laugh.

Watch the EA squirm then!

kingstreet

Go halves.

Then you have copies for any future sale if this one falls through.

kinger101

Whatever happens, tell them that any damp and timber surveys must be undertaken by properly qualified independent experts (e.g., chartered surveyor in remedial treatments) on a for fee basis. Otherwise, under no circumstances will you use them as a basis for negotiation.

tilley2904

marksoton - believe me I am tempted!! :rotfl: