Completed on property - burst water pipe days before

DAE

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

Did that neighbour tell you the date they noticed that flooding through the letterbox?

All round - I would have thought there is a good chance the flooding occurred before Exchange and not after Exchange.

If it occurred before Exchange - then it's the vendors problem (or, to be more accurate, their insurance company's problem).

I'd certainly be asking anyone that comes in for a look at this for their opinion as to the likely date the flooding happened (ie to check out whether before or after Exchange).

Even if it happened after Exchange - ie basically your insurance company's problem - then it may be that the vendors insurance cover was still in place on the house up to date of Completion. It was on my current house - and that meant that both of us had got it insured in the event (ie the vendor and myself). Rather "belt and braces" - but at least that way someone's insurance company would have paid in the event of a problem occurring (and they could have argued it out between themselves as to just who would "catch that ball").

There is one niggling factor there imo. That being that there is a chance your surveyor might have/should have spotted a possible problem. My surveyor duly told me that the water hadn't been turned off in this house (which was empty/had been for a while when I moved in). He then suggested to me that I "ask" the vendor to switch off the water - because he could see a possible problem lurking re leaks if that wasn't done. I duly "asked" the vendor/water was turned off/there wasn't a problem.

Yes the neighbour notified the management of the development on January 25th. I believe Thames Water were sent out on 26th to take care of water supply and the vendor and estate agent were notified on this day too.

Exchange happened on January 16th, whilst completion was February 3rd. It is possible that the leak itself occurred before the 16th and only become visible on the 25th, but I don't know this without expert opinion. And as the vendor has already carried out his own remedial work it may make 'forensics' here a little more difficult!

I'm not sure of the validity of the vendor's insurance. As far as my insurance is concerned, because I did not insure until completion, I don't have a leg to stand on in that respect. I'm going to get a quote for work from tapco-homedry, and send to solicitor (who if you see above are suggesting this as a route to recourse) and take from there. This seems the option that will cost me least if it comes off (perhaps nothing).