Buyer wants to do a "free" damp survey -advice needed

Christinat

We agreed a price in mid March to sell our home. Our buyer bad a mortgage valuation early on then all went quiet until 3 weeks ago qhen they suddenyl decided to get a homebuyers condition survey done.

Estate agent has told me survey was really good... all 1 & 2 condition categories except for electrics which was a 3 as the surveyor was not qualified to test electric.

Our buyer insisted we paid for a boiler service following this report which we did. And now they want to send a damp surveyor to do one of the 'free' damp surveys.

I have heard a lot of things about these surveys and am a little worried about letting them in as essentially they are just sales people. Also our estate agent whonis selling our house said they had recommended this guy as they get a comission from him -seems strange they get paid if he's only doing a free survey!

The house is over 100 years old and we have not seen any issues with damp but i have heard all houses have some damp and that these free surveys almost always pull up stuff that doesnt really need doing.

Should i refuse them entry to do this free survey and reuest the buyer gets an independent one done or just let them in to keep our buyer happy. I would be relucatant to negotiate on price if this free report shows up anything as they have a vested interest in it.

What would you do?

ACG

I would personally say that the survey has come back all ok, so they are welcome to have the survey done, but you will not be renegotiating the purchase price at all.

G_M

Christinat wrote: »

We agreed a price in mid March to sell our home. Our buyer bad a mortgage valuation early on then all went quiet until 3 weeks ago qhen they suddenyl decided to get a homebuyers condition survey done.
OK

Estate agent has told me survey was really good... all 1 & 2 condition categories except for electrics which was a 3 as the surveyor was not qualified to test electric.
That's normal. It does not indicate any problems, just indicates the surveyor is not an electrician.

Our buyer insisted we paid for a boiler service following this report which we did.
I have no idea why you agreed to this. Mad!

And now they want to send a damp surveyor to do one of the 'free' damp surveys.

I have heard a lot of things about these surveys and am a little worried about letting them in as essentially they are just sales people. Also our estate agent whonis selling our house said they had recommended this guy as they get a comission from him -seems strange they get paid if he's only doing a free survey!
Inform the buyer (via estate agent?), that you will not accept the subsiquent report since it is a asalesman who will be doing the survey. So any suggestion of a price reduction, or pre-sales work at your expense, based on this report, will be rejected.

The house is over 100 years old and we have not seen any issues with damp but i have heard all houses have some damp and that these free surveys almost always pull up stuff that doesnt really need doing.
Correct. Damp meters can pick up condensation, or even be affected by electrical conductivity of (dry) material in the walls. They only really work on wood.

Should i refuse them entry to do this free survey and reuest the buyer gets an independent one done or just let them in to keep our buyer happy. I would be relucatant to negotiate on price if this free report shows up anything as they have a vested interest in it.
See above

Hope that helps.

Christinat

Thank you.

SG27

Your estate agent is shooting themselves in the foot. They should be helping to sell the house not causing problems.

Ask the estate agent why they are recommending buyers send damp proofing salesman round and tell them that it will absolutely not be happening. If my agent had done this I would be fumimg!!

Christinat

Thanks for the replies. Seems as though my feelings are right in that I should not let these damp salesmen though my door. Or at least refuse to negotiate on anything it says

FreeBear

Based on what the OP has said about the property, I can do a "free survey" from here...

Damp proof course compromised and has failed in a number of spots. Moisture meter readings indicate rising damp and recommend the following remedial action - Injected DPC, Waterproof render to a height of one metre followed by a finishing coat of moisture resistant plaster.


The work will need to be done again in another ten years or so, but we will have set up a new company by then and will charge even more.

Chances are, you have a DPC of slate, engineering brick, or bitumen. (Hopefully) lime plaster on the internal walls, and plenty of air brick (if you have a suspended wooden floor).

If the buyer is insisting on a damp survey, then he/she is more than welcome to pay for one by an expert experienced in old properties after exchange. If it is a "free" jobbie from a PCA "expert", the cost will be in unnecessary and inappropriate work.

G_M

SG27 wrote: »

...... and tell them that it will absolutely not be happening. If my agent had done this I would be fumimg!!

Whilst I agree with the sentiment, as a vendor you do havee to be a bit diplomatic, or risk losing the sale!


If the buyer is worried about damp (common esp with FTBs after surveys), and the seller refuses 'absolutely' to permit the 'surveyor' in, the buyer might well conclude there is a major issue and simply run for the hills.


The response neeeds to be firm, helpful, polite, constructive and clear - all at the same time!

mrginge

SG27 wrote: »

Your estate agent is shooting themselves in the foot. They should be helping to sell the house not causing problems.

Ask the estate agent why they are recommending buyers send damp proofing salesman round and tell them that it will absolutely not be happening. If my agent had done this I would be fumimg!!

I am certain that the EA did not recommend their favourite damp proof company to the buyers in order to generate some work and get a commission.

Absolutely certain.

kinger101

Tell the agent that if the sale falls though due to the "damp survey", they'll get FA commission from you as the property will be re-marketed with another agent.

In the meantime, through your solicitor, tell them that only an independent specialist who does not sell treatments can be used, i.e., no salesman.

SG27

G_M wrote: »

Whilst I agree with the sentiment, as a vendor you do havee to be a bit diplomatic, or risk losing the sale!


If the buyer is worried about damp (common esp with FTBs after surveys), and the seller refuses 'absolutely' to permit the 'surveyor' in, the buyer might well conclude there is a major issue and simply run for the hills.


The response neeeds to be firm, helpful, polite, constructive and clear - all at the same time!

Yes you are right but I would still be very angry with the agent. They now need to be diplomatic with the buyer and carefully explain why this sort of survey is a bad idea. Awkward for them as they recommended it!