Fence panels

KimiFlorence

We viewed a property in January and there were 2 fence panels broken and laying in the garden. Didn't think this was a major issue, put in an offer which was accepted. Asked to view property again at end of February and seller refused, claiming they were too stressed. Managed to secure a viewing at the beginning of this month to discover all fence panels (approx 10) have now vanished (guessing due to the storms) and our solicitor has raised this....response received is the seller will do nothing to rectify this as the garden was like this when we put in the offer which is not true. Any advice welcome as we don't feel we should be paying a few hundred pounds to sort this ourselves??

AdrianC

Whether it was like that at viewing or not doesn't really matter. What matters is how it is at the time of exchange compared to completion. You know before exchange the fence is AWOL, so if you exchange now, that's the condition the property is in...

Whether you want to make a stand over a couple of hundred quid, and walk away from the purchase, is entirely your business. You are as free to do so as the vendor is to make a stand...

eidand

You can expect fence panels to need replacing. Other things will need doing too. Not a big issue.

roddydogs

No need to take oFence.

UnderOffer

Unfortunately not all sellers will see it as a priority as they may consider once an offer is accepted it’s the new buyers problem. You could reduce your offer to reflect the replacement of the 10 panels, or just factor the cost in to the move and improvements you are likely to carry out once moved in. 
FWIW, we fully maintained our home up to completion, which included changing the shower head as it had started to play up, replace a double glazed window handle that became stiff and even painted a wall when moving out as the mirror that had been hanging on the wall had left a mark. Some sellers are more house proud than others. 

KimiFlorence

UnderOffer....we did the same when we last sold a house, it was pristine as I couldn't have left it any other way! Guess we're all different, but I'm peeved that they've fibbed about the condition and it's the principle of all this that's got my goat. There is a lot to be done on the house which we've factored into costs etc but they're stumbling on a few other issues which has even got our solicitor concerned. Lots of thinking to do methinks.

greatcrested

Are you even sure the panels belong to the seller, not the neighbour?

And even if they do, unless there is a covenant in the deeds there is no legal requirement for a fence to be installed/maintained.

So as others have said, it's simply a matter of how important you each believe the cost of th panels is in relation to the overall sale/purchase. It sounds like the sellers are unlikely to negotiate ("claiming they were too stressed"), in which case you either find another property, or buy this one as it is.