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Being sued by buyer

jack-ie
jack-ie Posts: 6 Forumite
edited 27 September 2016 at 5:02PM in House buying, renting & selling
So I got home from work today to find a letter at my doorstep from the buyer basically saying that I sold my house with a known problem, that I covered it up, failed to tell the buyers and they can prove it. They are wanting £1400 to help put the problem right.

It states that the extension plumbing has been leaking for some time and that water has been entering into the room.

I will admit we did have a problem with a pipe but it was fixed over a year ago and the damp patch painted over. I have the paper work to prove this.

Where do I stand on this can I ignore it, should i reply? Do I give it to a solicitor?

As you can imagine I am worried about this and need some advice.
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Comments

  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    Did they ask you if there were any known problem with the extension?


    Or any problems with flooding?
  • jack-ie
    jack-ie Posts: 6 Forumite
    Guest101 wrote: »
    Did they ask you if there were any known problem with the extension?

    Or any problems with flooding?


    They did not ask if there were any problems with the extension.

    They did ask about flooding in a form but the property has not been affected by a flood so I stated no.
  • movilogo
    movilogo Posts: 3,238 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    They are taking their chances. For £400 it won't make sense for them to sue you!
    Happiness is buying an item and then not checking its price after a month to discover it was reduced further.
  • HouseBuyer77
    HouseBuyer77 Posts: 961 Forumite
    Fifth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    Sounds like there was a problem, which you fixed in good faith. You painted over the damage that would indicate there was a problem in a first place, but that seems reasonable as you believed the problem fixed (you weren't trying to hide anything).

    So I'd say it's just tough luck to the buyer the repair failed and their responsibility to deal with.

    Did their letter come from a solicitor or was it written by them personally? Remember anyone can write you an official/scary sounding letter. Doesn't mean they have a chance in claiming anything from you. Often a letter will be written in hope you pay up, even though you have no need to.
  • bouicca21
    bouicca21 Posts: 6,775 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    There is - or was - a leaking pipe in my flat. Pretty clear it was leaking at the time of sale, but I have no idea if the vendor knew or how on earth I could prove he knew. Surveyor didn't pick it up either.

    I suspect a threat to sue is a bluff.
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    movilogo wrote: »
    They are taking their chances. For £400 it won't make sense for them to sue you!





    Can you expand on this?


    I mean from my perspective, given there's £400 + court fees + costs, the OP stands to potentially lose over £1000, what makes it not worthwhile? Is the OP bankrupt?
  • jack-ie
    jack-ie Posts: 6 Forumite
    movilogo wrote: »
    They are taking their chances. For £400 it won't make sense for them to sue you!


    Sorry it was £1400 was typing a little bit to quick in my rage
  • jack-ie
    jack-ie Posts: 6 Forumite
    Guest101 wrote: »
    Can you expand on this?


    I mean from my perspective, given there's £400 + court fees + costs, the OP stands to potentially lose over £1000, what makes it not worthwhile? Is the OP bankrupt?


    Sorry my mistake its £1400
  • jack-ie
    jack-ie Posts: 6 Forumite
    HouseBuyer77 wrote: »
    Did their letter come from a solicitor or was it written by them personally? Remember anyone can write you an official/scary sounding letter. Doesn't mean they have a chance in claiming anything from you. Often a letter will be written in hope you pay up, even though you have no need to.

    It was headed paper from a legal firm
  • Guest101
    Guest101 Posts: 15,764 Forumite
    jack-ie wrote: »
    Sorry my mistake its £1400



    No probs, just add approx. £500 to whatever the claim is for court fees and costs
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