Mistake made on property info form!

pioexpo

Hi All,

We recently sold our house which was rented out earlier. The property had an electrical fault due to which the ceiling lights in the living room and hall didnt work. The tenant didnt seem to mind this so we didnt get this fixed. When we sold the house (by geninue mistake) we ticked the box yes which asks whether electrical checks have been done recently. We havent got any checks done to the electrics.

The new buyers have sent us a messge about the lights not working in the living room & hall. We have spoken to our conveyncer about this and it seems they cant really help us. They asked us to get in touch with a conflict solicitor to get advice.

I wanted to know my options here.
- Shall we keep quite and hope they dont find out about our mistake (very stressful)
- Can the buyers sue us on the basis of our mistake on the property info form?
- Shall we reach out to them proactively and offer to reimburse them for the expenses incured to sort out the light?

Really appreciate your help!

thanks

marliepanda

You lied, the electrics hadn't been checked.

I'd pay up. Less stress and hassle. Imagine how you'd have felt if you turned up and half your lights didn't work in your new place?

Miss_Samantha

Cleary, you not only 'made a mistake' on the form but also never disclosed that he light weren't working.

This may be deemed a misleading omission for the purpose of consumer protection regulations (despite the traditional caveat emptor).

See for example: http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/property/when_selling_my_house_am_i_legally_obliged_to_disclose_any_information_that_may_affect_a_potential_buyer_s_decision_1_4170528

That being said, I would think that even a simple survey would catch the fact that the living room's lights do not work. It does not let you off the hook, though.

warby68

Sorry OP, but surely you know right from wrong

You KNEW the lights didn't work (how a tenant accepted non-working lights in main areas I'm not sure ) and DIDN'T disclose it. I don't actually believe you made a 'mistake' on the form but whether you did or not you've been found out.

Do the right thing, pay up to get it fixed and stop looking for ways to wriggle out.

PS Having found this rather glaring fault, your buyers are probably going over everything with a fine toothcomb. If this is your only 'mistake' it might be better to show some goodwill/decency straight away.

lewishardwick

Do the decent thing and dig into your pocket.

Let then get a number of quotes to fix the issue. Choose the seemingly best value one and you then pay it.

I'd probably also consider an apology card with a gift card/gesture of good will to be hand delivered so you can apologise face to face.

Grenage

On the plus side, it's probably not going to cost a lot to rectify.

Gigervamp

I can't get over the fact that because the tenant didn't kick up a stink about the lights not working, you didn't bother to comply with your duties as a landlord and get them fixed.

It obviously didn't occur to you that maybe the tenant didn't want to risk getting an s21 for repeatedly mentioning them.

pioexpo

thank you all. yes, totally agree the fault lies with us. I have sent a note to the buyers offering them reimburesment for any expenses incured in getting the lights fixed.

hopefully it will help somewhat.