Would you ask for final check or viewing before completion?

917700

Hi all, sorry about so many questions today. 

I am buying a 1900s mid terrace house. The last tenant moved out at the beginning of December and the property was unoccupied until now. The weather in our area was very cold in January. And today I found the outer bricks at the first floor bay window area were quite wet. I am not sure if the 'Damp' is the correct word to describe it. 

Just wondering, is that reasonable or is that common to ask a final check or viewing before completion? 

Thanks

moneysavinghero

Too late before completion. You have already exchanged contracts and are legally bound to buy the house.

Do you mean before exchange?

macman

By completion, it's your problem. Your conveyancer should have prompted you to insure the house from exchange, if the damp results from an insurable defect.

But, given the huge amount of rain recently, I'd expect any exposed outer brickwork to be damp. You need to get some heating on in the property as soon as you can get access.

917700

moneysavinghero said:

Too late before completion. You have already exchanged contracts and are legally bound to buy the house.

Do you mean before exchange?

Hi 

We are nearly ready to exchange and complete, only one outstanding question related to the local search now.The property is empty and I am a first time buyer. 

We really wish to move sooner. I am not sure if this is necessary to ask for another final check, and what to do if there is new issues. 

moneysavinghero

Yes it is not unreasonable or that uncommon to have a final viewing to check that the house is still in the condition that you expect it to be before you become legally obliged to purchase it. Book that viewing and take a look. If there are issues you will have to renegotiate with the seller.

917700

macman said:

By completion, it's your problem. Your conveyancer should have prompted you to insure the house from exchange, if the damp results from an insurable defect.

But, given the huge amount of rain recently, I'd expect any exposed outer brickwork to be damp. You need to get some heating on in the property as soon as you can get access.

Thanks, will book a viewing with the estate agent tomorrow. 

greatcrested

917700 said:

Just wondering, is that reasonable or is that common to ask a final check or viewing before completion Exchange?

Very reasonable, indeed I'd suggest always essential. But note before Exchange, not Completion.

But no, surprisingly not that common.

AskAsk

i have never asked.  i am not aware of it being the norm.

greatcrested

Look. The contract between the buyer and seller (aside from the money!) is that the seller will hand over the property at Completion, in the same condition as it was at the point of Exchange of Contracts.

Now, if the buyer last viewed the property several weeks (or even months!) before, he has no idea what he is commited to buying.

So yes, it is reasonable to view again to check.

But few people do. They just assume that when they move in, it will be as it was (more or less) when they viewed.

And yes, often it is. But not always.

Thrugelmir

917700 said:

And today I found the outer bricks at the first floor bay window area were quite wet. I am not sure if the 'Damp' is the correct word to describe it. 

Did the survey detect any issues? 

917700

Thrugelmir said:

917700 said:

And today I found the outer bricks at the first floor bay window area were quite wet. I am not sure if the 'Damp' is the correct word to describe it. 

Did the survey detect any issues? 

Nothing was flagged in this part of the building. The survey was done last month, and the property was unoccupied since beginning of December. I hope they left the heating on.