Can I contact previous owner?

Sio28

Hi, we bought a house in July so just about 4 months ago. The bathroom is fully tiled including the bath panel, we may have a small leak and was wondering if we could contact the estate agent to see if they could in turn contact the previous owner to see if there is an access panel. If there is one what tile should be removed. It’s for Nothing else other than that it’s the kind of thing you don’t think to ask at the time. Is it reasonable to do this? Thanks in advance.

G_M

By all means ask though chances are
a) there isn't onw and

b) if there is you'd be able to find it without asking!

eddddy

There's no harm in asking.

But I wouldn't be surprised if the EA and/or previous owners choose not to get involved.

They might fear that this will turn into some kind of argument about the quality of the plumbing etc.

And/or they might fear that this is the first in a stream of questions.


If I was the previous owner, I would be very cautious about getting into a discussion about this.

chunkytfg

Assuming they have mail being redirected you could always post them a letter to your address and it'll get redirected to them? They have the option to ignore you still obviously but it's an alternative way to get to them if the EA wont/can't help

borkid

Another possible way, do any of your current neighbours still keep in touch with the previous owners? They might be willing to pass on a message.

Doozergirl

If there was an access panel, it would be visible

SmashedAvacado

If you are competent to fix a leak, then you are competent to find an access panel.

In terms of the previous owner, you could ask the estate agent to pass on an email - they will be able to do that - what they won't do is give you their details. If i got such an email, then i would respond if it was very easy - but otherwise you'd be on your own.

Davesnave

It might be a good idea to ask where the tiles came from too. If you get a negative answer on the provision of access, you may need a few more!

woofdonkey

What's wrong with paying a plumber?

Davesnave

woofdonkey wrote: »

What's wrong with paying a plumber?

I don't recall the OP suggesting it's wrong to employ or pay a plumber if a plumber is required. However, their problem right now is gaining access without causing damage, then ascertaining what might be wrong.

This is Moneysaving Expert. The clue to the site's purpose is in the name.

Here, most would say that if a simple half turn on a loose connector or similar were cure the leak, it really would be very silly to call out a plumber.

olgadapolga

The buyer of my old house contacted me about something several months after we'd sold. I did not answer as I was so astounded that they'd had the nerve to ask - they had truly been the buyers from hell and caused us no end of difficulties throughout the sale process. So as far as I was concerned, it was their problem and I wasn't going to help them.

Spiteful? Yes. Most definitely. But no more than they deserved.

I often wonder if they cut through the pipe they were asking about and what happened as a result. It gives me a small feeling of satisfaction, knowing full well what the pipe was for . . .