HELP!-What do you do if Seller keeps information from you

Joannna

Need advice- don't what to do- really appreciate any help

Bought flat couple of months ago, everything going well, then out of the blue i am told that there is a leak from my flat affecting the flat below (i can see no evidence of a leak).

Apparently, the previous owner knew all about it and it was agreed they'd sort it- however i was not informed- he told me there were no problems and the paperwork reflects this.

So what should i do now????

olly300

Find out what is leaking!!

Joannna

ooops- of course- find out whats leaking- but should i have to pay for a plumber??

after all- isn't the previous owner liable??

EdInvestor

Joannna wrote: »

ooops- of course- find out whats leaking- but should i have to pay for a plumber??

after all- isn't the previous owner liable??

He would have only been liable in the past if he had been negligent.

Cost of repairing leaks like these may be covered by the buildings insurance policy, ask the freeholder/managing agent, though there may be an excess as they are very common.

SquatNow

Get it repaired ASAP and sort of the arguments afterwards.

The longer you leave it the more damage will be done.

As the leak pre-existed you buying the property dont assume your home insurance will cough up. You may wish to get the man downstairs to "forget" that he told the previous owner about it. A crate of beer often greases the wheels.

Joannna

what if it is established he was negligent- how can i make sure he is made to sort it out as promised??

SquatNow

How would he be negligent?

When you buy the house you buy it in the condition it is in.

No-one makes a list of things that need doing to a house and hands it to prospective buyers.

Even if he signed a form saying the flat was in a good state of repair, by your own admission the leak isn't bad... it could be deemed insignificant.

If you get a competant plumber they'll probably have it fixed within an hour. If the ceiling below needs replacing, you can get a cheap polish plasterer in.

I had a new ceiling put up in a room in my flat...about 10ft by 12ft. Took the plasterer a couple of hours and he charged £120... and he was british! All I had to do was tidy it up with a little sandpaper, seal it and paint it... a couple of hour work.

All in all the leak may only cost you £200... is it really worth all the legal hassles. Better to get it sorted out and get to know your neighbour well. I'm sure your neighbour will be happy to spend an hour of so sanding and repainting the ceiling after the plaster has been if it saves him taking a day off work. Better still do it together with a crate of beer.