Shale test

Sarlow8

I am buying a property and I have had the survey done and everything came back okay. However we are coming close to completion now and my solicitor has asked the seller if he has had a shale test completed. The seller has not and has advised he won’t be paying for one. If this has not been mentioned/ recommended if the survey, is it necessary?

davidmcn

Why does your solicitor think a shale test is needed if your surveyor didn't?

Sarlow8

So this is what I thought. I think the sols just asked the seller if he has done one, which he hasn’t. Then they have mentioned that this is something we can do. But I don’t know if this is a normal test to pay for? My thoughts where if it’s not recommended, what’s the point in paying for one? Just not sure if it something people do off their own back?

davidmcn

The norm would be for you to pay for any specialist surveys, in the same way that you pay for the "normal" survey. Shale tests I've only heard of for very specific areas, so maybe ask your solicitor why they think it's a good idea for this property if the surveyor doesn't think it necessary.

Thrugelmir

Sarlow8 wrote: »

My thoughts where if it’s not recommended, what’s the point in paying for one? Just not sure if it something people do off their own back?

Lender may well require one. When did the current owner purchase the property?

davidmcn

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Lender may well require one.

Have you heard of any lenders having such policies, if the surveyor (I'm assuming the same for both OP and lender) hasn't flagged it up?

Sarlow8

He bought it in June 2019 (he’s a builder who does properties up and sells on). So if he didn’t need one I don’t think we should. Our mortgage provider has never mentioned this, just waiting to speak to solicitors in further detail

Thrugelmir

Sarlow8 wrote: »

He bought it in June 2019 (he’s a builder who does properties up and sells on). So if he didn’t need one I don’t think we should.

Not your decision. The lenders money is at stake. The property provides the security for the mortgage advance.

Let's hope the builder hasn't made an expensive error of judgement. Did the builder pay cash for the property?

Thrugelmir

davidmcn wrote: »

Have you heard of any lenders having such policies, if the surveyor (I'm assuming the same for both OP and lender) hasn't flagged it up?

Something has flagged the issue to the solicitor.

davidmcn

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Something has flagged the issue to the solicitor.

Sometimes solicitors get rather misleading ideas from other transactions and try to apply them to new ones. Hardly unknown for them to try to cover their ar5e about things which are completely irrelevant in the scenario in question.

kingstreet

Is it an area known for red ash issues?

Is your solicitor local to the area?

Did you have a survey, or are we talking about the lender's mortgage report and valuation?

If the former, phone your surveyor and ask if he feels it is necessary.

If not, phone a local surveyor and ask about survey prices. Ask if a red ash test would be sensible for the property in question.