Estate Agent contacted Surveyor

ForumUser

We are buying and used a surveyor recommended by the estate agent, mainly due to his immediate availability.

We had a structural survey and received the results a few days ago. There were some unexpected findings and so we requested a modest reduction from the vendors via the estate agent.

I have now heard back from the agent who says that he has contacted the surveyor and that the surveyor is surprised by the magnitude of the reduction that we have requested. He has obviously also provided the agent with at least a verbal description of the findings.

I think that both the agent and the surveyor have acted improperly here. I had a contract with the surveyor and he should not discuss my survey with anyone, and the agent should not contact the surveyor to discuss my offer reduction.

Am I being unreasonable and what could/should I do?

kingstreet

ForumUser wrote: »

We are buying and used a surveyor recommended by the estate agent

Get the De Lorean out!

Failing that, not much you can do now. Give the surveyor a ticking off, that's about it.

The EA works for the vendor, so asking the surveyor for information is cheeky, but no crime. The surveyor giving the EA information isn't appropriate.

Heather2603

Tell the estate agent the surveyor can be as surprised as he likes he isn't the one buying. You have to decide what you are prepared to pay for the house in its current condition.

I'd probably also ask for surveyors complaint procedure.

Mrs36

I would complain to the surveyor. We had a structural survey done recently and in it it contained a clause (I can't remember the full wording unfortunately) that said it was for our eyes only and shouldn't be shared with anyone else - is there anything like that in your survey?

ForumUser

Yes we have the same clause.

I was also of the opinion that financial details surrounding the sale were confidential between the buyer-agent-vendor. In this case the agent has clearly told the surveyor the details of our revised offer.

It's all a little underhand. Lesson learned about following agent recommendations, and perhaps after the sale is done and dusted it might be worth a complaint.

waamo

Just a thought, I know it's a long shot but is there any danger the Estate Agent might be telling a little bit of a fib?

It's possible he has spoke to the surveyor but the conversation may not have been exactly how it was portrayed to you.

ForumUser

Conversation definitely took place because he came back with some details that I hadn't shared but were part of the report.

waamo

ForumUser wrote: »

Conversation definitely took place because he came back with some details that I hadn't shared but were part of the report.

Very naughty. I would be furious.

eddddy

ForumUser wrote: »

I have now heard back from the agent who says that he has contacted the surveyor and that the surveyor is surprised by the magnitude of the reduction that we have requested.

...and I guess your response would be that you are surprised by the conduct of the EA!

And don't necessarily believe that the surveyor really said that.


The same trick was pulled on me a few years ago. The EA thought I was fibbing about the surveyor's valuation - so he called the surveyor direct.

I think the EA tricked the surveyor into discussing stuff by suggesting that I had asked the EA to call him to query the valuation!

In my case I hadn't lied about the valuation, so it wasn't detrimental to me - so I didn't persue it.

strawberries1

ForumUser wrote: »

Conversation definitely took place because he came back with some details that I hadn't shared but were part of the report.

The surveyor should expect his fees from the EA in that case.
You should lodge a complaint and stick to your request.