EA probably exaggerated Gross Internal Area

opteron

Hi,

I recently got my offer accepted, it's a 2-bed flat with 740 sq ft Gross Internal Area, according to the floorplan on EA's brochure.

However, today I noticed a flat next door, advertised by another EA, with an almost identical floorplan (mirrored, to be precise) and 656 sq ft Gross Internal Area. I was shocked by difference in area measurements.

Now I seriously doubt the flat I'm buying may be ~10% smaller than advertised. Luckily there is still a long way to go before exchange of contract. I plan to renegotiate the price due to the size issue. Does that make sense? Should I hire an independent RICS surveyor to measure the flat to make a strong case? Or simply telling the EA I suspect the area measurement is incorrect when compared to the flat next door and ask for a discount?

(I know the nuclear option is to pull-out. While the flat next door has a substantially lower price tag, it is also in a much poorer condition and in urgent need of renovation. I still prefer to buy the flat I'm proceeding if price renegotiation successful.)

Any suggestions are welcome! Thank you.

theartfullodger

Go and measure the place tomorrow.

Good heavens, salesmen exaggerated. Whatever next!

Chandler85

So you based your offer on a picture on the internet (floor plan) as oppose to what you actually saw?

The 2nd estate agent could be wrong, the first could be wrong. Who cares, is it big enough or not is what matters.

diggingdude

when i was looking to buy a flat, the lease documentation told me the size of the flat. Have you checked

eddddy

opteron wrote: »

I plan to renegotiate the price due to the size issue. Does that make sense? Should I hire an independent RICS surveyor to measure the flat to make a strong case? Or simply telling the EA I suspect the area measurement is incorrect when compared to the flat next door and ask for a discount?

It you want, you can say that you're reducing your offer because the sizes on the floor plan seem to be incorrect.

But TBH, I think a lot of sellers might just think you're messing them about - finding excuses to reduce your offer.

If the seller accepts your new offer, it will be because they think it's the best offer they can get - not because of the floor area.

But the seller might refuse to accept a lower offer from you on principle.

I definitely wouldn't spend money on getting a surveyor to measure the property.

hazyjo

Not sure what the rules and regs say re measuring, but one may be measuring the plot, and one may be measuring each room. ie depends if they've included the walls, doors, etc.

I never look at overall sizes. Room sizes are enough for me to judge. And obviously I view, so would be able to judge if something was horrendously out.

Norman_Castle

Or simply telling the EA I suspect the area measurement is incorrect when compared to the flat next door and ask for a discount?

Is your offer based on X per square foot? One measurement might include cupboards etc that the other omits. If its that important to you you need accurate measurements of both flats.
Ask the EA for an explanation of the quoted size difference.

mattyprice4004

You can't really do anything until you've actually got a firm measurement - until then, it's just hearsay.

davidmcn

Why are you assuming the other flat's GIA is correct, or that the agents have arrived at the respective asking prices by reference to the GIAs anyway? I suspect neither estate agent is following RICS guidelines about how to measure GIA. Measure it yourself if you like, but I doubt it's going to help you with the agreed price.

nicmyles

In the process of me buying and selling a single flat, it was measured at 716, 710, 702, 690 and 628 sq ft. There are different methodologies, margins of error, tricky bits to measure depending on floor plan, etc.

The flat was still the same size, though.

You've presumably looked at it. Have you looked at flats of a similar size? Did this one feel bigger, smaller or about the same? More importantly, is it big enough for you?

Although you say the layout of the other flat is mirrored, it could still be slightly smaller. Another flat I lived in was in essence the same layout as others on the road, but it was actually slightly bigger (the builder who originally built the houses kept it for himself, so made it very slightly larger). Lots of other reasons why they might not actually be the same size.

But really the only question you need to answer is whether you think it's worth the money or not. Go and have a look at the other one, which might shed some light.

Surrey_EA

Check the EPC, the total floor area is shown on the front page.