Damp inspection 2 weeks from moving date

bunny73

Live in Scotland. 2 weeks from date of me moving into new place and someone moving in here on the same day. My solicitor said yesterday that my buyer is now suddenly requesting a damp inspection, despite this not being in the original offer submitted four weeks ago. Solicitor says she had already alerted estate agents as we may need to remarket and it looks like I would lose the property I hoped to buy. When the offer was made the prospective buyer said x amount for no damp report and a slightly higher amount subject to a damp report. My home report stated 3k damp work required so my estate agent advised take the lower offer as the difference was 3k anyway. I’m going on their advice but now solicitor thinks buyer will lower his offer and it could be so low I will need to remarket, is that likely? I’ve already read on here about different kinds of damp reports etc, the damp is my house isn’t bad, there was a leak in the roof that I got repaired, and there was one other issue that I couldn’t afford to do, but thought this was covered in the home report. The house itself doesn’t
appear damp or smell damp, and given what the home report said I didn’t think there was anything to be concerned about. What do any of you think is likely to happen? I’m not sure what is going on and don’t know who or what to believe here, any advice? Haven’t eaten or slept. Solicitor is very aggressive and speaks in legal terms then asks me to instruct her but I don’t know what all the implications are, how am I supposed to do this?

Gillby1

This sounds incredibly stressful. So sorry you're going through a difficult time!
Firstly, the damp report may not show any significant problems. If it does, you've already taken a £3k reduction in price which may well cover any damp remediation costs anyway. 🤞Perhaps the buyers are just reassuring themselves that the damp is fixable?

AdrianC

Getting a report isn't necessarily a deal-breaker... unless you suspect the report is going to wave red flags about...?

bunny73

Gillby1 said:

This sounds incredibly stressful. So sorry you're going through a difficult time!
Firstly, the damp report may not show any significant problems. If it does, you've already taken a £3k reduction in price which may well cover any damp remediation costs anyway. 🤞Perhaps the buyers are just reassuring themselves that the damp is fixable?

Thank you, am hoping so.

bunny73

AdrianC said:

Getting a report isn't necessarily a deal-breaker... unless you suspect the report is going to wave red flags about...?

Thanks Adrian.
I’ve been here 20 years and thought/trusted the home report was accurate, as am no expert. Not suspecting anything extra to come out of damp report but was alarmed because solicitor seems panicked about it. She hasn’t seen the house and didn’t know about the price agreed and the amount taken on in relation to damp, when I accepted the offer. She also seems quite inexperienced, which is the last thing I need.
Friends telling me today this isn’t unusual as often requirement of mortgage company. 

Anyanka1

I know nothing about selling in Scotland but is fixing the damp problem yourself not an option?

bunny73

Anyanka1 said:

I know nothing about selling in Scotland but is fixing the damp problem yourself not an option?

That’s not an option for me.

IamWood

How much does your property cost? If your move is a must, I would try to negotiate a price in half or cut the cost and move on.