Buyer asking us to pay for structural survey

worriedegg

Hi All

Hoping someone can offer some sage advice.

We have accepted an offer on our 1930s semi, the buyers Homebuyer report has identified a lintel that needed replacing. We have had the work done at our cost as we are keen to get the sale done, and have had an offer accepted on a property for ourselves. 

However the buyers lender has suggested the house needs a full structural survey before they will give it a value due to this issue, and the buyer is now suggesting we pay for that with her reimbursing us half if the sale goes through. The buyer has said in their eyes we will have a survey we can then use if the sale does fall through. 

We really don’t want to lose our new property because of this but not sure we should be paying for the survey, and concerned the result may well be used as a bargaining tool to reduce the price. 

Shall we agree to pay to get the sale through? Or stand our ground? 

Thanks in advance! 

AdrianC

It's all about agreement between you.

Of course they can ask. Of course you can refuse. Only you know how likely they are to pull out over its findings...

blue_max_3

In reality, they should have had a full survey carried out at their own expense. I'm surprised a homebuyers report picked up on the lintel. But you've had it replaced and that should be it. 
I'd consider you've had work done already, as well as accepting an offer. I'd stick my ground.
But... it depends who is most keen to complete. That's always a tough one to call.
The report would be of little value to you, as it doesn't prove anything and offers no insurances to future buyers.

CheesyWiggles

Absolutely not - the survey helps you in no way whatsoever. They’re trying it on, and I can imagine them pushing your boundaries later on if you give in now. You need to reframe it that you don’t want to allow a full survey, with your compromise position being to let them pay for one.

worriedegg

Thank you all, that makes sense. I guess it’s just a case of weighing up all the options and outcomes but independent advice is always appreciated! 

jimbog

You could also say that you won't  since you had paid for a survey when you yourself bought the house and are confident that it hasn't deteriorated since that time

youth_leader

My buyer had a mortgage valuation returned as '0' as they wanted a damp/timber survey.   It was December 16th and my EA said the buyer had paid for a full structural and it would be a gesture of goodwill if I organised and paid for it, the benefit being that I could keep it if the sale fell through.  I spent my Christmas food money on it, £300, managed to organise it for first week of January.  When the man arrived he was unable to check the joists as I hadn't been told I needed to lift the floorboards.  The report arrived two weeks later and I forwarded it to the EA.  My buyer's lender rejected the damp/timber survey as totally inappropriate for a period house.  An expensive mistake on my part. 

worriedegg

Thanks @youth_leader, can I ask what impact that then had? Did you find a new buyer? My thoughts are the purchase of our new property falling through for the sake of £300 seems crazy, but at the same time I’m expecting a full structural to be even more ‘scary’ than the homebuyers and it may well fall through anyway. 

Missy79

The problem for a potential buyer is it becomes a case of chucking good money after bad when there is a requirement for ongoing further investigations on a property that they don't own. I walked away from a property that may have ultimately been ok when in addition to the money I'd already chucked at it in searches, mortgage valuation and survey it became clear that there was a need for yet further investigations (drains, structural engineer). I loved the house  but it already needed a ton of work and it was not worth spending more of my money for potentially zero return.

MovingForwards

England? Scotland? As the replies will be different.

worriedegg

Sorry, we are in England, North West