Vendor insisting I perform pre-exchange viewing alone and cannot bring builders or trades

theartfullodger

TheJP said:

theartfullodger said:

Vendor may require such conditions as they wish.

Buyer may require such conditions as they wish.

...etc etc

That's a silly approach isn't it. 

Thank you for your kind words.

TripleH

Bring your partner along as your partner.

Inexperienced but enthusiastic DIY'ers could be just as big an issue for the buyer spotting non-existant problems...

The insurance issue is a far bigger worry as it implies a possible laissez-faire attitude to things and would make me wonder what horrors lurk beneath..

Skiddaw1

Yes, I'd be more concerned about the lack of insurance and what it says about the seller. I can't imagine a scenario in which we'd allow our insurance to lapse. I'd be lying awake at night worrying about it.

It's useful that your partner has been in the building trade- I'm sure if there's anything serious going on he'll spot it.

martindow

TheJP said:Youll also struggle to get a builder/trade to come out with you as they are extremely hard to get hold off and doubt they will fancy a walkabout over a committed job.

Probably not in the OP's case as she's sleeping with the builder ...

TheJP

martindow said:

TheJP said:Youll also struggle to get a builder/trade to come out with you as they are extremely hard to get hold off and doubt they will fancy a walkabout over a committed job.

Probably not in the OP's case as she's sleeping with the builder ...

Well the OP said that he worked in the DIY/trade previously. That could mean anything.

climbthatwallseegar

TheJP said:

climbthatwallseegar said:

Doozergirl said:

Maybe she's nervous about Covid.  

You had a survey, that's enough, surely? 

Yes the survey is enough as I wanted information about structural issues, the roof etc and all came back fine.

So to be clear, I had no intention of bringing a builder - just my partner (who coincidentally used to be a builder but that is not why he is coming).

My concern is her insistence that she doesn't want one to visit. If she hadn't mentioned this requirement there wouldn't be problem.

I doubt Covid is an issue. When I viewed I was fully masked up. She followed myself and the EA around without a mask (this is not a judgement, just explaining).

I have asked the EA why she is insisting on this. He said he doesn't know. My thoughts are that something major has happened since the start of storm Eunice and as the house is uninsured at this point that is obviously a concern.

Sorry OP i missed this post.

For me my thoughts would be that the seller may think your pulling a fast one. As doozergirl said if there is something that they are concern about you'll spot it. Youll also struggle to get a builder/trade to come out with you as they are extremely hard to get hold off and doubt they will fancy a walkabout over a committed job.

So as said a few times: I do not want a builder/trades to come out with me so it won't be a struggle for me to find one.

I never planned to bring a builder/trades. My partner used to work in that industry, some time ago, but isn't coming with me so he can carry out an inspection.

I was just taken aback that seller has suddenly announced no builders or trades which for me raised a red flag and posted to see if anyone else agreed. Up until now she has been very laid back about entry to the property.

Have taken on board comments that she might be concerned that I'd be trying to money off the sale price which is the last thing on my mind. The only issue would be significant damage such as a missing roof or a tree through a window.

Gavin83

I agree with the others. Maybe they've had a bad experience before and worry that you'll bring a builder to try and knock the price down. If there is significant damage you'll likely spot it yourself. What I would be careful of is if the vendor tries to stop you viewing certain parts of the house, within reason.

Personally I would insist you can bring your partner though in return for not bringing builders/trades.

[Deleted User]

Gavin83 said:

I agree with the others. Maybe they've had a bad experience before and worry that you'll bring a builder to try and knock the price down. If there is significant damage you'll likely spot it yourself. What I would be careful of is if the vendor tries to stop you viewing certain parts of the house, within reason.

Personally I would insist you can bring your partner though in return for not bringing builders/trades.

I agree with this in essence. Although, in isolation I would just think they had a bad previous experience and don't want messing around last second (which I completely get). But - I do think the whole 'no buildings insurance' thing is very strange. It's such a standard thing and generally very reasonable so I find that bit very odd myself so the combination of the two things I would feel the same as OP about it.

Doozergirl

I've bought that many houses and would never know whether they were insured or not.  It's just interesting that the buyer even knows this.  

It's a strange thing not to have, but how someone else views a risk doesn't impact on the buyer as long as they insure correctly at exchange.

Folksriker

Doozergirl said:

I've bought that many houses and would never know whether they were insured or not.  It's just interesting that the buyer even knows this.  

It's a strange thing not to have, but how someone else views a risk doesn't impact on the buyer as long as they insure correctly at exchange.

Currently buying and the vendor had to fill in whether the house is currently insured (it isn't!) on the TA6 property information form, and give a reason why if not - is this a new thing?