Buying a house, public sewer, seller cannot confirm whether built I've or not.

AdrianC

Rebekahb wrote: »

I don't think it's really unreasonable seeing as they are the ones selling the house they can't tell me whether or not it's been under their conservatory or where it is.

They also can't provide building regs for walls that were taken down. And they are already overcharging for a house that has come back with a load of repairs need doing.

So for the sake of £200 for them to locate the sewer and give me an answer I don't think is unfair at all. They are selling the house that has several issues they need to be prepared to meet in the middle when I've already forked out a load of money for various other issues.

There's a very easy answer.

If you don't like the information, and you don't think the house is worth the money anyway... walk.

If you don't like the information, but still want to buy the property, then it's up to you to get whatever information you require.

And remember - they aren't "overcharging". You made an offer of what you wanted to pay.

Mutton_Geoff

Rebekahb wrote: »

Yes it did actually I'm putting several thousand myself into it as the bank wouldn't lend me it

So you are paying more than it is valued at. This is your decision alone.

Rebekahb wrote: »

Walls have been taken down, no building regs. Can't confirm whether the sewer is under the conservatory or not, cannot provide a build over agreement

You need to appoint your own surveyors to give you the information you need to proceed with the purchase.

Rebekahb wrote: »

Building survey came back with nearly 20 grand worth of repairs, black mould, high damp etc. Evidence of dodgy electrics

Most damp issues are caused by faulty gutters, poor ventilation or patios built over damp courses. A good look round will help you decide how much work is required to put right. If you don't know yourself, take a builder. Never use a damp company as they are salesmen not surveyors.


What's "dodgy" about the electrics? New consumer unit needed (£500) or full rewire (£3,000 to £5,000)?


Given you are not buying a new build, you need to budget for repairs to bring the house to the standard you wish. Your surveyors and solicitor are just advising you on the situation so you can make a judgement. Presumably the house is not falling down around the current occupiers.


You can't expect the vendors to pay just because you haven't budgeted enough to carry out due diligence in your purchase. On the other hand, the vendors must be laughing all the way to the bank that you are prepared to pay above market value for a place that needs work doing on it.


You should hold up a mirror to yourself, not a magnifying glass to the problems and either renegotiate the price or walk away. I suspect as your money is spent on fees so far, you don't have the financial ability to drop this one and look for another.


Unfortunately house buying in England comes with it's costs at risk to you until contracts are exchanged. I'd suggest a revised offer to the vendors now you have the info you need. If you want to know more about the wall and drains, employ your own specific surveys.

anselld

Rebekahb wrote: »

They are selling the house that has several issues they need to be prepared to meet in the middle when I've already forked out a load of money for various other issues.

Well, you have added a load of issues since the original post which quite frankly are all individually more serious than a sewer which may or may not have been built over.

You should probably have walked some time ago.

Rebekahb

I probably should have yes, but I love the house but I'm thinking I'm going to have to cut my losses. I've emailed the estate agents and let them know I'm considering pulling out, I might ask to renegotiate on the price. They said they are going to look into some the issues and see of they can't get anymore answers.

Slithery

It's not the EA's job to look into issues, that's what your solicitor and surveyors do.

Mutton_Geoff

Slithery wrote: »

It's not the EA's job to look into issues, that's what your solicitor and surveyors do.

Quite right, and the agent works for the vendor, not the purchaser. You need to take control of the purchase process.

robatwork

We bought a house recently that was empty. Sellers answered almost nothing with any certainty.

There is a sewer running under the extension, as can be seen on the plans and by finding the inspection cover - makes it pretty obvious.

Had to take out a "Lack of Build Over Agreement Indemnity Policy" for about £300 which covers us if the water company ever need to dig up our extension floor.

Rebekahb

There's literally no need to jump down my throat jesus. I never said I asked them to look into the issues now did I. The sellers solicitor has obviously let the estate agents now when they have called them. The estate agents were the ones to email me saying they were looking into the issues. I didn't ask them to do so.

Thrugelmir

Slithery wrote: »

It's not the EA's job to look into issues, that's what your solicitor and surveyors do.

In EA's interests to see the sale come to completion. As they don't get paid until then. If the transaction collapses then all their time and effort is wasted.

gary83

Rebekahb wrote: »

The thing is I've already spent a load of money on different surveys I've had to get done, I'm running out of money at this point. So I just don't really know what to do.

Running out of money before you've even got to the point of exchange should set alarm bells ringing.