Last minute demand from buyer

AdrianC

barbiedoll wrote: »

He's a cheeky git...why should you use his "chosen" electrician? How do you know that he is a proper electrician and that he is going to be completely unbiased? For all you know, the father could have bunged him a few quid to invent all sorts of problems on the report.

Which, of course, any seller could think about any buyer doing any survey or report.

Equally, if the buyer provides the survey/report, then the seller could well believe it was provided by somebody equally tame glossing over all sorts of problems.

ALL that's out of the ordinary here is the timing, and that the seller is bunging the buyer £90 to pay for the report. That's all.

lichfield22

iammumtoone wrote: »

You say the father has organised the check direct? you are just paying for it?

In that case I would guess the father has arranged with the electrician how he will get the report.

I would make sure that you obtain a copy before handing over payment.

The father found his own electrician but asked me, via the EA, to call him and arrange a time. The electrician didn't seem to really understand the situation when I spoke to him - he wasn't sure who I was and was a bit huffy when I said the house is a bit chaotic given that we're packing so he'll have to work around us! There's no way he's being paid till I see the report - I'm still expecting the father to try and pursue me for any repairs so I need to see what I'm dealing with.

elsien

I'm asking again, why are you/the estate agent talking to the father?? It's not up to him to tell you which electrician to use or how to contact him, he's not the client. You're all giving him power he shouldn't have by the way you're acting - negotiate the daughter, no-one else.
There's a reason I didn't involve my family in my house hunting, and this interference is it.

lichfield22

barbiedoll wrote: »

He's a cheeky git...why should you use his "chosen" electrician? How do you know that he is a proper electrician and that he is going to be completely unbiased? For all you know, the father could have bunged him a few quid to invent all sorts of problems on the report.

All this "protective father" nonsense is rubbish, he's just a bully. He's bullying his daughter and now he's trying to bully you. I can't believe that his middle-aged daughter puts up with his antics, if my father (or mother, or anyone else come to that) had poked their nose into my house-buying affairs, they'd find themselves with a swift kick up the backside. As for punching anyone, they'd have been reported to the police. Do women really let their fathers treat them this way nowadays?

As for not letting you know where they live...he's a coward. Like all bullies. Lets hope he does try to get his daughter to pull out, I'd like to see his face when he realises that they're gonna have to pay out a shedload of cash for nothing. (Although I realise that's not an ideal situation for you of course! :o)

Had he insisted on the check being conducted before exchange, I'd have insisted on my own electrician ... But given that we'll have exchanged (hopefully) by Wednesday and he can't pursue me for repairs (even if he thinks he can), I don't see how I can be affected by any instruction he gives to the electrician to invent problems.

Bully is the word I would use too. I'm selling the house on my own - I bought it in 2006 when I was a single woman but I've since married and my husband and I are buying the new house together. The EA said the father's attitude changed slightly when he discovered I have a husband, and that was when he asked for his address to be kept secret. Obviously thought he was bullying a woman living alone and not a couple where the husband might take issue.

lichfield22

elsien wrote: »

I'm asking again, why are you/the estate agent talking to the father?? It's not up to him to tell you which electrician to use or how to contact him, he's not the client. You're all giving him power he shouldn't have by the way you're acting - negotiate the daughter, no-one else.
There's a reason I didn't involve my family in my house hunting, and this interference is it.

The daughter is refusing to speak to anyone and the father is paying the solicitor so they consider him to be their client. When he first rang the EA making demands, she phoned the daughter to check this was what she wanted and she immediately handed the phone to the father. I agree the daughter needs to stand up for herself and deal with this!

barbiedoll

lichfield22 wrote: »

Bully is the word I would use too. I'm selling the house on my own - I bought it in 2006 when I was a single woman but I've since married and my husband and I are buying the new house together. The EA said the father's attitude changed slightly when he discovered I have a husband, and that was when he asked for his address to be kept secret. Obviously thought he was bullying a woman living alone and not a couple where the husband might take issue.

Now, why does that not surprise me? Do keep us updated on this, I hope your exchange and completion goes through ok.

You've got to feel sorry for his poor daughter though. If he was my dad, I'd be buying a house in Australia!

lichfield22

Thanks barbiedoll, will most definitely keep you posted. Just really hoping we're not packing for no reason, the husband is dismantling the bed today ...

Slinky

I'm wondering if all this situation came about because the daughter didn't tell her father she was buying a property until right at the last minute, knowing what he is like, and suspecting he'd try and interfere, which he now has!

iammumtoone

lichfield22 wrote: »

The father found his own electrician but asked me, via the EA, to call him and arrange a time. The electrician didn't seem to really understand the situation when I spoke to him - he wasn't sure who I was and was a bit huffy when I said the house is a bit chaotic given that we're packing so he'll have to work around us! There's no way he's being paid till I see the report - I'm still expecting the father to try and pursue me for any repairs so I need to see what I'm dealing with.

In that case once you have the report, I would phone the EA and tell them its ready. Let them do what you are paying them for and sort out with the father how he should see it.

Are the EA local? would you be able to drop a copy off with them?

TBagpuss

I'd confirm to the electrician when he arrives that you are paying for the report and that you will arrange to provide it to the buyer, but if the inspection is happening after exchange it doesn't really matter when she gets it!

I would then give the report to your solicitor to forward to her solicitor. Keep a copy for reference.

However, as your obligation is to provide the property in the same condition it in was at exchange, and the report will simply be evidence of the condition it was in!