Vendor refusing to allow investigations recommended by surveyor

Charlene84

Hello there

My husband and I, first time buyers, received an acceptance to our offer (YEAY) on a terraced house dating back to circa 1900.

The mortgage valuation is slightly reduced from the acceptance figure and the vendor has returned to confirm the valuation figure can be agreed which is perfectly reasonable despite us not asking for a reduction.

We have ordained a home buyers report, which lists, as critical, recommendations for third party contractors to inspect the roof, dampness (and potential dry rot), electrics, gas, drains (rear drain could not be located) and boiler. The recommendations stated that the investigations should be understand immediately and pre sale.

The vendor has refused to allow us perform the inspections. This appears quite unreasonable as without the inspections we have no idea as to what, if any, costs we would need to occur. We are simply advised the vendor shall rely on the lenders valuation however as far as we are concerned the lenders valuation is not as thorough on the home buyers survey.

Has anyone ever been in this position?

I’m not sure what the vendor is seeking to achieve by not permitting us to perform the investigations. Surely it is fairly plausible that given we are looking to commit to a mortgage we would like to ensure the property is in good shape and/or allow us to plan for any additional outlay in the near future?

Charlene

Charlene84

*obtained not ordained - sorry on my lunch and in a rush

Please ignore any other typos 🙈

caprikid1

Vendor is likely worried you will use this further to knock down the price. The survey is quite standard and on a property of this age I would certainly want some further investigations.


Obviously the vendor may be indicating you are messing them around, he may be trying to hide known issues.


Two options
1. Proceed with the purchase understanding the likely risks and costs.
2. Pull out.


A threat of option 1. May achieve the desired result but you need to be prepared to follow through.

davidmcn

Charlene84 wrote: »

*obtained not ordained - sorry on my lunch and in a rush

Please ignore any other typos ��

There is an "edit" button.

Not sure what you mean by "the vendor shall rely on the lenders valuation" - do you mean they've said that the purchaser ought to rely on the lender's valuation?

Have they given any particular reason for refusing further surveys? I can perhaps understand them not wanting four/five further contractors tramping round the house. Is there actually cause for concern about any of these areas? Surveyors tend to go overboard with their recommendations to bring in specialists.

Up to you whether to take a view, or just tell them you'll go and buy from a less awkward seller. If they're being unreasonable it may indicate further trouble down the line.

eddddy

Are the surveys (or investigations, as you call them) intrusive?

i.e. Would carpets or flooring need to be lifted; or holes made in walls / ceilings; or holes dug in the garden?

The seller's concern might be that your surveyors 'spoil' their carpet/flooring, or their walls/ceilings, or their garden - then decide that you don't want to buy.

If the surveys are non-intrusive, and carried out by independent surveyors, the seller's shouldn't really have a problem.


But some buyers arrange surveys purely as a way of negotiating down the price. Because surveyors are always likely to find things that 'might' need fixing.

Worst of all are 'free surveys' carried out by companies like timber treatment companies. They will invariably find reasons to recommend expensive work.


Have the sellers said why they don't want any more surveys?

Comms69

It's simple, you decide whether to risk it or not. That simple


So either proceed or pull out

ReadingTim

In the vendor’s mind he’s taken a chip on the price already and is worried you’re looking for things to knock him down again. What it’s going to cost you to put right isn’t his concern as he’s accepted an amount your mortgage company think its worth, and are willing to pay.

Your options are therefore take the risk or walk away – you can’t force him to accept. However, you might want to suggest that any other survey another set of buyers commission is likely to uncover the same issues, with the likely same results as yours. Therefore he’s going to have to deal with it at sooner or later, so why not with you now?

cattie

It is pretty standard for all surveyors to recommend checking the majority of those things by professionals. They do this as they are not qualified to advise on the condition of such things & are covering their backs.

It is odd for the vendor to refuse to allow any checks to be made prior to exchange however & this probably would make me think twice about the purchase. Most vendors are happy to do all they can to help push a sale along.

Yes it could be incase something shows up & you again try to negotiate the price down but it would make more sense to allow the checks to go ahead but state beforehand that he cannot consider a further reduction on price should anything be flagged.

Skiddaw1

I'd be wondering if the seller knows something fundamental will be found if the additional surveys go ahead. I think an ultimatum is probably called upon and if seller still refuses, walk away. I don't think I would feel confident to proceed with the purchase as things stand.

Lokolo

A few of these things could be rectified quite quickly

Things to ask vendor

- When was the boiler installed, and when was it last serviced?
- When was the last time an EICR was carried out?
- Do you know where the drain is behind the property?

It could be that the vendor gets their boiler serviced every year and it was only installed a few years ago. It could be that they did an EICR in the last few years (although unlikely). Obviously this may not be the case.

But having all these tradesman around could be time consuming for the vendor.

Beenie

We had a similar scenario many years ago. We saw a gorgeous bungalow, with a huge lounge and picture windows looking out on to a mature and well-stocked garden. The problem was the vendor wouldn't let anyone on the roof or into the loft. We got cold feet and bought somewhere else.

Fast forward a few years and I had reason to call on the bungalow we nearly bought (delivering parish leaflets). I mentioned to the lady who opened the door that we nearly bought the house - she said she wished she hadn't. Did I want to come in and look? Inside, the lovely big room was gone replaced by a small hall, a dining room and an insignificant lounge. Turns out the vendors had removed the internal walls to make the impressively large space, but the roof couldn't cope without support and was caving in. So not only did the purchaser have to re-install the supporting walls, but they needed a new roof also. A very costly mistake on their part.