Buyer Damp Survey

contrivant

We had a damp survey on a house we're buying and the guy said yes, there were some readings in one room that indicated a bit of damp, but that wall was wallpapered and since the wallpaper was showing no signs of damp, it probably had to do with them not letting the plaster (can't remember British word for it) dry fully originally. He said check it again in a year.

kirtsypoos

So our buyer has come back and said she doesn't want to pay out for a damp survey, and instead wants to reduce her offer.

I have declined, at which point she has said she cannot get the damp survey done before 9th Dec (date set for exchange of 27th November currently as we are buying a new build) does anyone know if this is about right in terms of waiting time for a surveyor?

david1951

kirtsypoos wrote: »

So our buyer has come back and said she doesn't want to pay out for a damp survey, and instead wants to reduce her offer.

I have declined, at which point she has said she cannot get the damp survey done before 9th Dec (date set for exchange of 27th November currently as we are buying a new build) does anyone know if this is about right in terms of waiting time for a surveyor?

On the basis that the DPC is "low"?! Most surveyors can turn up within a week or two, but then they may not be a damp specialist.

Sounds like you have a troublesome buyer...you could make clear that you are happy to go along with this for the time being, but any more stalling and you will remarket the property. Just so they know where you stand.

If you want you could remarket the property anyway, and say you will consider their offer with any others that you get in the meantime. Obviously they may walk away if you do this...

AnotherJoe

I agree with David, sounds either like a very nervous FTB or someone thast going to be a complete pain and make all sorts of last minute demands.

Its patently ridiculous to not be able to get a damp survey within the next three weeks, so either the buyer is inept only asking one company or is playing games. You could ring round a few companies and see what dates they could do and let her know.

Is she still intending to exchange on 27th? (I know you are but is she)? If so then a damp survey is utterly pointless on the 9th Dec. Or is this her code for "wont exchange until after the 9th" in which case I suggest you will either need to pay someone yourself (and who knows what other demands she will make) or remarket.

When are you expecting to move into your house?

kirtsypoos

That is our worry to be honest. Obviously we have laid out money on the newbuild house so far, however I am unwilling to play games about our sale.

She is a FTB and doesn't seem particularly nervous so concern is that she may just be a nightmare! If she is not going to play ball, I will remarket even if it means we lose the house we have reserved.

Exchange would have to be delayed until after the survey so would delay us also but I am more concerned about the type of buyer we have landed ourselves with at this point! House is due to be ready between 16th Dec and 27th Jan.

selina37

They have a machine that they put on the wall and it detects moisture - This time of year ensure the heating is on full blast at least 48 hours before.

Hoploz

The buyer will hopefully be told by your estate agent that the timescale of the company she has suggested is not acceptable, and that she needs to shop around for a different surveyor who can come sooner. Was she aware that you had a target date in mind? Your builder will probably let the exchange date slip a little (he's unlikely to find another buyer who could exchange sooner and what would be the point anyway if the house won't be ready for another month) but if you have made it clear that this was your target date all along then your buyer will realise she has to get this sorted sooner.

kirtsypoos

Buyer is saying she can't get anyone here sooner than 9th December.

At this point we think that she is 'trying it on' because of our required exchange date. Wanting to go ahead with the purchase without damp survey with a reduction is ridiculous to me! Because of deadline I have offered a reduction of £200 (cost of damp survey) but she has until end of play tomorrow to accept that or find a damp surveyor who will do the survey next week or we are remarketing.

NeverAgain2

We got a damp survey before buying our house and it was a free quotation. The work itself cost £1400 and luckily the seller agreed to foot the bill.

kirtsypoos

To be honest NeverAgain2, that's exactly my concern. Free surveys are invariably carried out by people in whose interest it is to find a supposed 'problem' to make money for themselves.

We have insisted that if the buyer does get a survey done by a free survey/quote company, there will be no negotiation on price.