We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING:
Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour.
Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Check before exchange
In conversation with the relative who is now owner and seller, he informed me that he no longer insures the house as it is unoccupied.
I'm aware that I need to insure the property from exchange contract day but how do I know that the property is still in a fit state. If someone was still living there then it would be safe to assume that there were no burst water pipes etc. Should I ask to be allowed access immediately prior to contract exchange or peer through the downstairs windows or ?
Comments
-
A perfectly reasonable request, and a good idea whenever the property has been either empty or tenanted.Alfrescodave wrote: »Should I ask to be allowed access immediately prior to contract exchange...0 -
Alfrescodave wrote: »I'm about to exchange contracts end of next week, the house I'm buying has been empty since January (owner deceased).
In conversation with the relative who is now owner and seller, he informed me that he no longer insures the house as it is unoccupied.
I'm aware that I need to insure the property from exchange contract day but how do I know that the property is still in a fit state. If someone was still living there then it would be safe to assume that there were no burst water pipes etc. Should I ask to be allowed access immediately prior to contract exchange or peer through the downstairs windows or ?
The seller is being very foolish, the house should have been insured by the executor as soon as the owner died - what if the house burned down prior to exchange. In the circumstances I thiink you must insist on checking it, inside and out.0 -
As above, I think it would be very unwise not to insist on a check both now and on the day of exchange, especially given the severity of last winter's weather. After all, if there is any damage, why the heck should you pay to rectify it? It's not your house yet.
Good luck.0 -
Personally, I think it's very wise to check, even if a property is inhabited. When we bought our cottage, it was inhabited right up to completion, but I wish we'd done a last minute check. There had been a major leak, and it left a considerable amount of damage. The owners, presumably thinking it didn't benefit them as they weren't staying, didn't bother to clean up the mess. The place stank when we opened the front door for the first time.Selling up and moving to the seasaw. Mortgage-free by 2020
0 -
SeasideSally wrote: »Personally, I think it's very wise to check, even if a property is inhabited. When we bought our cottage, it was inhabited right up to completion, but I wish we'd done a last minute check. There had been a major leak, and it left a considerable amount of damage. The owners, presumably thinking it didn't benefit them as they weren't staying, didn't bother to clean up the mess. The place stank when we opened the front door for the first time.
What vile, dishonourable people your vendors must be, SeasideSally. That stinks in more ways than one.0
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 355.8K Banking & Borrowing
- 254.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 456.2K Spending & Discounts
- 248.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 605.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 179K Life & Family
- 263.7K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards