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Getting vendors to carry out repairs after survey results

Hi All,

I'm after a bit of advice. My partner and I are in the process of buying our first house. We've just had our survey back and it revealed two serious issues: a leak from the shower tray and damp found on the wall adjacent to the bathroom as a result of the leak. We're very concerned about this (both leaks and damp can be nasty!).

We want the vendor to sort this out asap, but we want them to do it properly, rather than cutting corners. We're thinking of writing a letter to explain in detail what we're expecting to happen. I'm totally clueless when it comes to things like that (and I'm trying to make it sound like I know what I'm talking about...), but my google search lead me to believe that dealing with a leak would possibly involve the following steps:
1. identify the cause
2. take the appropriate course of action to fix the leak (depending on 1.)
3. re-instate any fittings and tiling affected (or replace if damaged)

And dealing with damp on the wall (following the leak) would involve:
1. strip back the plaster
2. allow the wall to dry out
3. treat the wall with anti-mould cleaner
4. re-plaster
5. use mould-killer and cleaner if black mould is present
6. use a coat of anti-damp paint
7. standard wall paint matching walls in the rest of the room

This could be totally wrong but if anyone has any advice, or could comment on the above, I would be grateful! :)
«1

Comments

  • jimbog
    jimbog Posts: 2,109
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    I wouldn't class them as 'serious' issues.

    Don't allow the vendor to do the repair - they will always get it done cheaply whatever they might say.

    Instead get a builder to go round and get a quote and ask for the deduction off the asking price so you can be sure it is done properly. Oh, and be cautious of 'damp specialists' aka 'salesmen'
    Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548
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    Depends on whether or not the house is priced to sell with this taken into account.


    Some already factor it in with the house price so is the survey meeting the asking price?
  • ProDave
    ProDave Posts: 3,675
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    If my buyer came back with that list of "demands" I would probably tell them where to go.

    It is (in the scheme of things) a minor fault. Buy the house, perhaps negotiate a small reduction in price, then fix it to your satisfaction.
  • dunroving
    dunroving Posts: 1,881
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    Ditto. Negotiate a small purchase price reduction (or not) and get the remedial work done yourself. Almost every house has something like this wrong with it. Unless you are in a very strong negotiating position then pushing the seller to do it, especially to a detailed prescription, is simply delaying things.
    (Nearly) dunroving
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977
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    Firstly - that's one issue, not two. Sort the leak and the damp will dry out.

    Secondly - the seller will, at best, fix it as cheaply as possible.

    Thirdly - the seller might simply refuse. It's a minor issue.

    Fourthly - the seller might, at worst, label you a worrier and anticipate more future demands from you about inconsequential things, and start looking for a less troublesome buyer.

    Buy the house, then fix the leaking shower. it's not a big job and that way you'll know it's been done properly.
  • Robby1988
    Robby1988 Posts: 182
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    edited 29 March 2018 at 11:59PM
    If your really keen on the house I wouldn't risk rocking the boat with the seller by making demands like this over a minor issue. Even if you went down the road of getting quotes & asking for a reduction, is it really worth it in the short term to save <£100 on your deposit?

    Trust me, pretty much all houses come with some problems and if a leaky shower is the only problem in the whole house you can find then you are onto a winner. Buy it & just get it sorted properly yourself.

    My parents had a damp wall as a result of a leaking shower, they just got the leak fixed and then just left the wall to dry out & redecorated. Nothing major & been fine since.
  • SG27
    SG27 Posts: 2,773 Forumite
    A leaking shower is not a big issues at all. Never get the vendors to carry out any work for you. How do you know they will do it properly? They could get their mate round and bodge it on the cheap. Maybe try your luck and knock a bit of the price and fix it properly yourself when you move in.
  • Lauralou79
    Lauralou79 Posts: 268 Forumite
    If a leaky shower is the worst thing on your survey just buy the house. It's not a massive issue.

    If you go to the vendor with that list of demands I think they may well tell you where to go. Most advice on here is usually don't expect vendors to do work as they are selling so have no reason to a good repair, just cheap.

    You could try the deduction route but I doubt the amount of money a leaky shower costs to fix would be that noticeable. You'll have much bigger costs maintaining a house over the years to come. Use this as practice!
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741
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    Leaky showers are very common.

    I would be delighted to only have a leaky shower as a defect on a new-to-me house.

    And yes, if you came to me with that sort of list, I would think you one sandwich short of a picnic and begin to worry what other demands you might make, though your FTB status might just save you!
  • bigisi
    bigisi Posts: 925 Forumite
    Sibwa wrote: »
    Hi All,

    I'm after a bit of advice. My partner and I are in the process of buying our first house. We've just had our survey back and it revealed two serious issues: a leak from the shower tray and damp found on the wall adjacent to the bathroom as a result of the leak. We're very concerned about this (both leaks and damp can be nasty!).

    We want the vendor to sort this out asap, but we want them to do it properly, rather than cutting corners. We're thinking of writing a letter to explain in detail what we're expecting to happen. I'm totally clueless when it comes to things like that (and I'm trying to make it sound like I know what I'm talking about...), but my google search lead me to believe that dealing with a leak would possibly involve the following steps:
    1. identify the cause
    2. take the appropriate course of action to fix the leak (depending on 1.)
    3. re-instate any fittings and tiling affected (or replace if damaged)

    And dealing with damp on the wall (following the leak) would involve:
    1. strip back the plaster
    2. allow the wall to dry out
    3. treat the wall with anti-mould cleaner
    4. re-plaster
    5. use mould-killer and cleaner if black mould is present
    6. use a coat of anti-damp paint
    7. standard wall paint matching walls in the rest of the room

    This could be totally wrong but if anyone has any advice, or could comment on the above, I would be grateful! :)

    :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

    Its not April 1st for a couple of days yet :T
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