Home Buyer Survey - Denied Access

davidmcn

Having said all that, charging 50% of the survey fee again just to come back, have a quick look in the loft and tell you what's there, is taking the Mick!

Miss_Samantha

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

It's not "standard" (as far as I can see) to expect loft access.

I don't see how a surveyor can claim to have inspected the property without having checked the roof.

AdrianC

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

I don't see how a surveyor can claim to have inspected the property without having checked the roof.

Simple - he states that he inspected as far as possible, but roof access was not available due to furniture.

Miss_Samantha

AdrianC wrote: »

Simple - he states that he inspected as far as possible, but roof access was not available due to furniture.

The point is that a surveyor should always attempt to inspect the loft. This is a standard part of any survey and should be expected.

AdrianC

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

The point is that a surveyor should always attempt to inspect the loft. This is a standard part of any survey and should be expected.

Yes, they should. And they did, but access to the loft was not immediately available.

So we get to the question of how far should that "attempt" go?

Should they move furniture? Pushing a bed out of the way is one thing, but what if there isn't sufficient space to move the bed out of the way? What if moving it causes domestic issues - say, reveals... compromising material... to another member of the household?
What about moving a valuable antique wardrobe stuffed full of clothing?
Should they cut through wallpaper?
Should they move boxes stacked in the loft, once they get the hatch open?
Who should be responsible for paying for the extra time required or, more importantly, claims for loss or damage arising...?

THAT's why surveys carry the caveats they do over access...

kinger101

AdrianC wrote: »

THAT's why surveys carry the caveats they do over access...

That, and the fact they're a bunch of lazy tw@ts.

AdrianC

kinger101 wrote: »

That, and the fact they're a bunch of lazy tw@ts.

Like you wouldn't kick off if somebody started moving your furniture about...

kinger101

AdrianC wrote: »

Like you wouldn't kick off if somebody started moving your furniture about...

But they don't even ask if the vendor is in at the time. Personally I'd have no problem with it. In reality, if loft access was required, I'd have moved the bed out the way before the surveyor visited.

It would be alright if they gave out a simple set of instructions on how the buyer could get the most out of the survey, and recommend they liaise with the vendor to make sure this happens.

Instead, it's in small print. Most people who've commissioned a survey have found out the surveyor has neglected to do something because of something that any normal person would find trivial.

robatwork

Ask for another viewing, and only on the basis that you can get access to the loft. Take a ladder with you and some strong torches. You're no surveyor but you should be able to see sagging.

Try to do it in the daylight so you can see if any light is leaking through gaps in the roof.

Hoploz

I'd be surprised if it was genuinely the case that the seller 'denied access.' Much more likely, the seller pointed to loft hatch, surveyor asked if there was a proper ladder fitted, seller said no, surveyor didn't have one with him ... And therefore the loft was inaccessible.