Seller painted driveway and walls

bd1234

Hello,

FTB here so thought would get your opinions. 

We are very very near exchange (hopefully next week) so we did a drive by of the property we are buying and we noticed that the driveway and brick wall next to it has been painted a different colour to what it was when we viewed it and offered.

we live fairly close so have done a few drive by’s since offer accepted in November , the last being beginning of January and it was still the same colour as bought. 

Is it right for the seller to do this? I thought it was supposed to be ‘sold as seen’ and makes me question why they would have done this. 

We have another viewing Saturday so hope they haven’t changed anything else but my question is if we don’t like what they’ve done where do we stand. We don’t want any money or anything like that knocked off it just baffles me why they would do this and if it has been painted in a terrible manor what do we do?

TIA

JamieJ89

Try to see past the Color’s on the walls etc - this can be changed to your taste and won’t cost the earth either. 

sammyjammy

Its still their house, if you hate the colour or how its been painted you can correct that when its your house.  If you have another viewing then make sure you check each and every room to satisfy yourself its as you would expect.

p00hsticks

I'm intrigued by how you go about painting a driveway (and why you would want to ?)

saajan_12

bd1234 said:

Hello,

FTB here so thought would get your opinions. 

We are very very near exchange (hopefully next week) so we did a drive by of the property we are buying and we noticed that the driveway and brick wall next to it has been painted a different colour to what it was when we viewed it and offered.

we live fairly close so have done a few drive by’s since offer accepted in November , the last being beginning of January and it was still the same colour as bought. 

Is it right for the seller to do this? I thought it was supposed to be ‘sold as seen’ and makes me question why they would have done this. 

We have another viewing Saturday so hope they haven’t changed anything else but my question is if we don’t like what they’ve done where do we stand. We don’t want any money or anything like that knocked off it just baffles me why they would do this and if it has been painted in a terrible manor what do we do?

TIA

Yes, its a bit odd, do ask them why. Covering up minor cracks?

This is why a viewing JUST BEFORE exchange is so important, as legally you're buying the house in that condition. If the condition changes between viewing and exchange, that's perhaps not nice but legally fine and you have the opportunity to inspect and pull out / renegotiate. If it changes materially between exchange and completion, that's either a matter for insurance (as you insure from exchange) or a breach of contract by the seller and you can sue for any losses. 

bd1234

Thanks all, that’s what I thought just like I said baffles me. Just hope when we view it, it was a personal choice as opposed to hiding something. ! 

Slinky

p00hsticks said:

I'm intrigued by how you go about painting a driveway (and why you would want to ?)

Our friends have painted their concrete drive with a dark grey paint because they didn't like the old concrete drive. Wouldn't be my choice but they seem happy enough with it.

gingercordial

It's "sold as seen" on the date of exchange.  They shouldn't be doing this sort of thing between exchange and completion, but if you haven't exchanged yet they can do what they like!

m0bov

Ask yourself why they'd go to the expense and hassle of painting something that's under offer. Further investigation needed.

Flugelhorn

m0bov said:

Ask yourself why they'd go to the expense and hassle of painting something that's under offer. Further investigation needed.

if they haven't yet exchanged then maybe they are having second thoughts

macman

Why ponder it? Ask them why. if they won't reply or giver a satisfactory reason then withdraw your offer if it's a concern to you.
Possibly a spillage of white paint on the driveway, and they decided to paint over it rather than just remove the spillage?