Awkward buyers

[Deleted User]

Hi, we’re in the middle of selling our house. The buyers are going to be renting out our property once sold and wanted electrics and gas checked before signing the contracts. They originally wanted us to foot the bill for this but our solicitor advised that we were not obligated to. They eventually agreed to pay it themselves and of course we allowed them access to the property to do so. The reports have come back that the gas is absolutely fine and in good working order, however the boiler is old so they want it replaced which they want us to pay half for. Also the electrics don’t comply with new renting regulations and needs a new consumer unit which has been quoted to cost £450. They are asking us to pay the whole bill for the electrics. I don’t think this is fair at all but not sure what we’re legally obligated to do. We’re awaiting on advice from our solicitor but in the meantime what are your thoughts? We’re very close to telling them to forget it and we’ll put the house back on the market. They offered us full asking price but should they really be making us pay for all these things just because of that?! 

Grumpy_chap

They offered you full asking price.  How does that compare with market value for the property?
If they are paying "top end" price but now want a negotiated reduction of £3k or thereabouts, that might still leave you in a better position than returning to market.

As for the thread title "Awkward buyers".  I don't think there is any other type.  There are probably as many "Awkward sellers" also.

Natbag

I wouldn't be paying for anything required to meet renting regulations, or even towards it - that is their problem if it's something they need to make a further profit on. You are selling the property as seen, not becoming a landlord yourself.

user1977

You're not legally obligated to do a thing. They could have seen the boiler was "old" on their first viewing, and merely being "old" doesn't mean they need to replace it anyway. Similar the age of the consumer unit shouldn't be a surprise. But up to you whether quibbling over a few hundred quid is worth the delay/potential cost of remarketing.

tonyh66

You know what the answer is, but im going to agree with you. Its not up to you to pay for their decision to rent the property out. Tell them you aren't paying for any of it, and are prepared to put the property back on the market. You are not legally or morally obliged to pay for these items. Good luck.

lookstraightahead

So they're using you, and getting you to pay, to get their house rental ready.
I would personally tell them to do one, and I usually can see the buyers side in a scenario !

[Deleted User]

Thanks for all your thoughts. We’ve had a quote on a new boiler for £1900 so with paying towards that and the electrics just seems a lot. Perhaps we could go back and say we are willing to take a lower offer to cover the cost? Would that be something that could work? 

MaryNB

You're not legally obliged to do anything. The EICR requirements are for tenanted properties only - they are legally obliged to upgrade before letting it out. The fact they want to rent it out is not your problem. There are people who have bought houses that require a full rewire and they do so at their own expense. 

Did they tell you what the consumer unit was rated at? C1 means it dangerous, and there may be a recommendation it shouldn't used until it is replaced. C2 means it's potentially dangerous it should be upgraded as soon as possible. C3 means it's not to current regs but is find to use. C3 wouldn't fail an EICR, C1 and C2 would. 

It may be a goodwill gesture to give money towards a C1 or C2 but you're not legally obliged to pay for it. 

eddddy

abbarry said:

I don’t think this is fair at all but not sure what we’re legally obligated to do. 

You're not legally obligated to do anything. Everything is down to negotiation.

I guess if you wanted to be purely 'business-like' with no emotion - it's a case of asking yourself:
"What would the buyer do if I refused to contribute to the gas and electrics?"

• If you think they would continue with the purchase anyway - don't offer anything.
• If you think they would walk away - offer just enough to stop them walking away

purplebutterfly

Our survey recommends a domestic EICR because the main consumer unit is old and the owner has self-built an external structure and fitted the electrics.

We are paying for the EICR so we know how much we need to budget for repairs/rewiring.  Unless we get told the entire house needs IMMEDIATE rewiring to make it habitable then we don't plan to renegotiate on price.  

Asking you to foot the bill for their new business venture seems completely unreasonable to me. 

Greymug

Tell them to do one.

You don't have to have to pay a penny.