Who do we go to regarding issues on surveyors report?

Grabs39

thankmyluckystars said:

The house has been left empty and one of the issues are signs of rodent activity in the loft so that is one of the unexpected issues we would like to be resolved before we move in.

That's not really a cost to negotiate IMO.  If it were me, I'd just ask the estate agent to ask the vendor to pop down some poison - it'll cost them less than £10 from a DIY shop.  Or ask them to get a pest control company or the council in, but again I'd expect the vendor to just pay for that as it's in their interest to sort it just as much as yours. 

Worst case scenario they say no and you just sort it when you move in.  My council charges £40 for pest control so it's pocket change when looking at the cost of a house.

Or name them - I call the cheeky rat who scales my bird feeders "nibbles".

eddddy

thankmyluckystars said:

....one of the issues are signs of rodent activity in the loft so that is one of the unexpected issues we would like to be resolved before we move in.

So realistically, the onus is on you to come up with a plan - and put it to the seller.

Do you suspect mice or rats?

The solution is usually to find the entry points where the rodents are getting in, and blocking them. And laying poison to kill any rodents that are already inside. (Which might result in a rotting smell, if the rodent dies in an inaccessible place.)

So for example, do you want the seller's agreement that you can send in a firm to do this between exchange and completion?


It's probably not sensible to ask the seller to sort it out, as they have no real incentive to do it properly.

thankmyluckystars

Grabs39 said:

thankmyluckystars said:

The house has been left empty and one of the issues are signs of rodent activity in the loft so that is one of the unexpected issues we would like to be resolved before we move in.

That's not really a cost to negotiate IMO.  If it were me, I'd just ask the estate agent to ask the vendor to pop down some poison - it'll cost them less than £10 from a DIY shop.  Or ask them to get a pest control company or the council in, but again I'd expect the vendor to just pay for that as it's in their interest to sort it just as much as yours. 

Worst case scenario they say no and you just sort it when you move in.  My council charges £40 for pest control so it's pocket change when looking at the cost of a house.

Or name them - I call the cheeky rat who scales my bird feeders "nibbles".

Thanks so much - this is exactly the kind of advise I was hoping to get. We are sensible and not just looking for a reason to get the price down 😊

thankmyluckystars

eddddy said:

thankmyluckystars said:

....one of the issues are signs of rodent activity in the loft so that is one of the unexpected issues we would like to be resolved before we move in.

So realistically, the onus is on you to come up with a plan - and put it to the seller.

Do you suspect mice or rats?

The solution is usually to find the entry points where the rodents are getting in, and blocking them. And laying poison to kill any rodents that are already inside. (Which might result in a rotting smell, if the rodent dies in an inaccessible place.)

So for example, do you want the seller's agreement that you can send in a firm to do this between exchange and completion?


It's probably not sensible to ask the seller to sort it out, as they have no real incentive to do it properly.

Thanks for that - no clue as to mice or rats as its just 'rodent' activity in the surveyors report. As the house is empty it would be a great idea to request that a pest control company are allowed in before we complete, it would be a bonus if they paid for it.

canaldumidi

'rodent activity' could mean anything. Mice (no real problem), rats (needs sorting before/after you buy), squirrels.....?

And of course it could be historic with no activity now - eg old droppings. Ring the surveyor and ask!

I wouldn't even rock the boat with the seller over this. Focus on serious issues.