Buyer wants money off for issues raised on survey

verytired11

The long wait for the outcome of my buyer's survey is finally over and, thank goodness, there is nothing that is a deal breaker in there and nothing serious.
However, after the initial relief, on inspecting his list of concerns (12/13 in all) I feel he is taking the mickey with the amount of things he is requesting that I fix or pay for.  For example, saying things like there 'might be' woodworm due to the age of the building and i need to pay for an inspection report, and that the glass in the front door doesn't comply with building regs (why would it need to?  It's a victorian property with an original front door!!).  He has thoroughly peed me off.
I have grounds for rebutting many of his claims; however, I would really appreciate help rebutting the following of his claims as I want to just say 'get lost' but feel it might be better to provide a strong argument for rebutting them one by one:

1. Open chimney pots and repointing of chimney stack.  £1,000 cost to repair.
2. There was evidence of penetrating dampness at the main door. This will require repointing. We are happy to arrange this ourselves post-completion but in recognition of the fact that this is neglected essential maintenance of the house, would expect an adjustment of £500. 
   
3. Leak stain at the top of the staircase which indicated water damage from the bathroom above. We would like evidence that this leak has been fixed (e.g. plumber's invoice stating works done) or else an assessment from a plumber that the leak has been dealt with and the stain just needs to be painted over.
4. Leaking joints to the PVC rainwater fittings on the front and rear of the house.  Surveyor's estimate was £450 cost to repair. 
5. The rising mains to the house could not be inspected - it is possible that this could be original, which in a building of this age could be made from lead. If lead is found, the rising mains needs to be replaced.
6. Gas and electrical safety certificates.  I have already provided him with the electrical installation certificate from 2001 when the house was rewired and with a boiler service cert from 2018.

Keswick1uk

Out of interest did they offer over your asking price and by how much?

What value did survey put on the property,  do you know?

m0bov

Tell him it's priced for the condition, take it or leave it.

verytired11

Keswick1uk said:

Out of interest did they offer over your asking price and by how much?

What value did survey put on the property,  do you know?

They offered the asking price and I reckon if I put it back on the market now I would get over asking.  There were about 25 viewings booked in within 24 hours of it going on the market.  I don't know what the survey valued it as but interestingly there hasn't yet been a mortgage valuation and yet the agent is saying that he thinks the mortgage has been approved....I was wondering if this is just because his LTV is something like 70% and they have just done a kind of on line valuation.

verytired11

m0bov said:

Tell him it's priced for the condition, take it or leave it.

That was my initial response to the agent.... but he seems to want me to provide a more detailed rebuttal.

Kaysee24

Keswick1uk said:
...I was wondering if this is just because his LTV is something like 70% and they have just done a kind of on line valuation.

It's hard to tell, our mortgage is just over 50% LTV, we're staying with same company as porting and they still sent a surveyor round in person.

In response to the survey I'd be tempted to tell them to do one!

Sunsaru

1,4,5 - Not your problem.
2 - Maybe a goodwill gesture?
3 - What is that stain and have you got any proof it's been fixed?
6. You have no legal obligation to provide them.

verytired11 said:

The long wait for the outcome of my buyer's survey is finally over and, thank goodness, there is nothing that is a deal breaker in there and nothing serious.
However, after the initial relief, on inspecting his list of concerns (12/13 in all) I feel he is taking the mickey with the amount of things he is requesting that I fix or pay for.  For example, saying things like there 'might be' woodworm due to the age of the building and i need to pay for an inspection report, and that the glass in the front door doesn't comply with building regs (why would it need to?  It's a victorian property with an original front door!!).  He has thoroughly peed me off.
I have grounds for rebutting many of his claims; however, I would really appreciate help rebutting the following of his claims as I want to just say 'get lost' but feel it might be better to provide a strong argument for rebutting them one by one:

1. Open chimney pots and repointing of chimney stack.  £1,000 cost to repair.
2. There was evidence of penetrating dampness at the main door. This will require repointing. We are happy to arrange this ourselves post-completion but in recognition of the fact that this is neglected essential maintenance of the house, would expect an adjustment of £500. 
   
3. Leak stain at the top of the staircase which indicated water damage from the bathroom above. We would like evidence that this leak has been fixed (e.g. plumber's invoice stating works done) or else an assessment from a plumber that the leak has been dealt with and the stain just needs to be painted over.
4. Leaking joints to the PVC rainwater fittings on the front and rear of the house.  Surveyor's estimate was £450 cost to repair. 
5. The rising mains to the house could not be inspected - it is possible that this could be original, which in a building of this age could be made from lead. If lead is found, the rising mains needs to be replaced.
6. Gas and electrical safety certificates.  I have already provided him with the electrical installation certificate from 2001 when the house was rewired and with a boiler service cert from 2018.

verytired11

@Sunsaru the stain is a very old one, which I think came from the waste pipe under the bath.  I fixed it myself so don't have any evidence!  I may get a plumber out for that one anyway, just in case there is an ongoing leak (pretty sure there isn't).

dimbo61

The Estate agent is acting for you !
You are paying for the service they are offering and act on your instructions.
The price we are selling at is set at £xxx,xxx which you offered when you viewed the property.
How much is the valuation ?
I would inform the people hoping to buy 
" lf you wish to pull out we will put the property back on the market " 
Nothing major has come up on the survey and they are buying a 120+ year old house

Sunsaru

verytired11 said:

@Sunsaru the stain is a very old one, which I think came from the waste pipe under the bath.  I fixed it myself so don't have any evidence!  I may get a plumber out for that one anyway, just in case there is an ongoing leak (pretty sure there isn't).

If there was you'd know about it! Probably best to get it checked just in case.

jimbog

I would politely say that the house was priced according to it's condition at viewing and would they let you know within 24 hours if they are prepared to continue at the agreed price