Buyer pre exchange visit

Stayhomeclub

We have sold our property, the survey has been completed with no issues and we have supplied all the required information to our buyer and no issues have been raised. We haven't yet exchanged. During our ownership, we've had a new boiler installed which has been serviced each year, and had some electrical work done to upgrade the system so there are certifications relating to both these services.

Our buyers want to exchange and complete within the month but want to arrange a pre exchange visit to inspect the electrical and heating systems.

I am nervous about this as I think they may be looking for faults to try and obtain a discount. I am not aware of any issues as everything is well maintained but I am going to be very busy and could do without the hassle. Am I in a position to refuse? I wouldn't refuse a visit if they wanted to look round/measure up as there would be no reason why that would be a problem. I haven't trashed the house or anything and there are certifications covering these systems.

kinger101

Put it this way. If you refuse, they'll think you've got something to hide and likely pull out. If there are no problems with your electrics/heating, you'll be able to fend off any claims for a reduction they throw at you.

To me, they're being nothing more than cautious with the biggest purchase in their life.

walwyn1978

You can refuse. We asked for a pre exchange visit to check a few things (condition of dishwasher, boiler check, , to look in the garage for which 'the key had been missing' when we viewed and to measure a few windows for curtains). Our vendor, who actually throughout had been a total !!!!, said no and he would refuse all access.

We shrugged, decided it wasn't worth pulling out over and went ahead with the purchase.

I'm not saying you're that kind of bloody minded person OP, but the honest answer is that you are entitled to say no, just as they're entitled to ask. If you feel your systems would pass muster go ahead and let them in. Even if they did come back with a demand for discount, you can again say no to that.

You are very much in control here.

Stayhomeclub

Thanks for the replies, I wouldn't want them to think we had anything to hide as we do not, everything is in good working order. I guess I'm just struggling to see the point of inspections close to the end of the process when these systems have been recently maintained and we have provided all the paperwork stating as such. That is what makes me nervous. I understand this is a significant purchase but still, if I had concerns I would have requested this much earlier in the process. We are unlikely to refuse as I can remember being a purchaser and all the stress that entailed.

G_M

Of course you can refuse.

And of course they can pull out.

It is perfectly reasonable to want to view a property several times, especially once you've made a decision to buy.

It is also perfectly reasonable for a buyer to want a surveyor, a gas engineer, an electrician, any other professional (or even amateur DIY dad!) to inspect anything in the property that they want a 2nd opinion on. They are about to spend £X00,000!!

So if you wish to be unreasonable and refuse access, you must accept whatever consequence arises.

sparky130a

Stayhomeclub wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I wouldn't want them to think we had anything to hide as we do not, everything is in good working order. I guess I'm just struggling to see the point of inspections close to the end of the process when these systems have been recently maintained and we have provided all the paperwork stating as such. That is what makes me nervous. I understand this is a significant purchase but still, if I had concerns I would have requested this much earlier in the process. We are unlikely to refuse as I can remember being a purchaser and all the stress that entailed.

Because they're making probably the biggest purchase of their lives.

And the nearer they do that to transaction date the more assured they'll be.

Nothing to hide means it shouldn't worry you one bit.

davidmcn

Stayhomeclub wrote: »

I guess I'm just struggling to see the point of inspections close to the end of the process when these systems have been recently maintained and we have provided all the paperwork stating as such.

Paperwork isn't as reassuring as actually checking it yourself. Would you buy a car just on the basis of its paperwork, or would you still take it for a test drive?

if I had concerns I would have requested this much earlier in the process.

The whole point is to check everything at the latest possible date.

3mph

I guess you would test drive a car before buying so obviously someone would want to have a close inspection of the biggest purchase they make. And Elec and heating are significant risks.

If there is nothing wrong then you can show anything they complain about is not valid. Refusing would make me think that either there is something wrong or you are going to be a real problem and maybe best avoided.

I would want to visit at least twice and get a survey or expert advice before exchange. No point in waiting until after as it's too late then.

Just be helpful and try to make things easier for everyone.

VintageHistorian

I think you're really overthinking this. The vast majority of buyers are not going to try and rip you off by offering lower the day before exchange. For all they know you could turn around before exchange and go "prices in the local area have gone up 10% since we accepted your offer, increase your offer or we'll put it back on the market".

The vast majority of buyers just want to buy a house and move in, with as little stress and annoyance as possible. Likewise the vast majority of sellers are like you, they don't want to rip off their buyers and want to sell the house with as little stress as possible, and in this case you'll probably find it's less stress to let them come round.

As AFF8879 said above, solicitors will often advise their clients to view a property once more shortly before exchange, because once they exchange they are locked in to the purchase and cannot leave without a hefty financial penalty. A last check just before exchange simply means they're looking at the property to ensure it's still in decent condition, and that can include making sure the heating is working as you say it is and that the electrics are working as you say they are. You might find they also want to measure up for curtains and ask any extra questions (i.e. what day is bin day, is there a tip nearby for larger rubbish, we've spotted 5 takeaways in the local area which one is best etc etc) that will have cropped up as they excited about moving in.

They don't want to rip you off, they want to make sure you're not ripping them off.

da_rule

As long as they're paying for the people doing the inspections and they assume liability for these people should they damage or break anything then it's not going to be a problem if everything is in order as you say.

Mickygg

As darule says you need to ensure it is not the buyers doing the testing. What happens if they break something or after testing you find the heating now doesn't work?
I would only accept qualified third parties to come and test or check, not joe bloggs buying who won't have liability insurance incase something breaks.