Would you allow a buyer to go into the attic of a house that you're selling before completion

TheJP

I guess it depends on circumstances, why do they want to go up in the loft? If the loft was boarded up or had a lot of stuff up there then I would be inclined to decline. If it was after exchange i would say that whatever the reason they want to go up there can wait as your priorities will be preparing to move.

I remember a thread here were someone was adamant that they would be having 1-2 visits a week leading up to completion. So that they could measure up, check blinds measurements etc. No need.

[Deleted User]

user1977 said:

They could slip on your garden path before they even get to your door. What do you think happens then? 

I'm concerned that the risk of falling of serious injury in the attic or damage to the property is larger than slipping on a garden path or similar and that an argument is more likely to be made that access shouldn't have been allowed to the attic to anybody unless by a properly trained and insured person such as a surveyor for instance.

TheJP

user1977 said:

Deleted_User said:

74jax said:

Nothing would happen. You have exchanged. 

Yes that's true and I suppose that would legally be the same if they did happen to accidentally put their foot through the attic floor/ceiling. I'm probably more worried about being sued if either of them did hurt themselves due to an accident as society is extremely litigious

They could slip on your garden path before they even get to your door. What do you think happens then? 

True i guess the difference with the two are you would be unlikely to try and sue someone you are planning to buy a house from because you slipped wanting to come into their property. Then you have the added risk that the person could damage the property or your belongings stored there and refuse to repair (depending whether they exchanged or not).

babyblade41

If you have exchanged then I won't allow an extra visit ...just say no and they will have to wait.

If you haven't exchanged then again it up to you really ,i

[Deleted User]

TheJP said:

I guess it depends on circumstances, why do they want to go up in the loft? If the loft was boarded up or had a lot of stuff up there then I would be inclined to decline. If it was after exchange i would say that whatever the reason they want to go up there can wait as your priorities will be preparing to move.

I remember a thread here were someone was adamant that they would be having 1-2 visits a week leading up to completion. So that they could measure up, check blinds measurements etc. No need.

I'm not sure if the loft has got boards down on the joists but they want to have a look to measure up to do some potential building work. I'm fairly relaxed and want to be helpful but I know that attics are sometimes regarded as being more dangerous than other parts of a building.

[Deleted User]

babyblade41 said:

If you have exchanged then I won't allow an extra visit ...just say no and they will have to wait.
If you haven't exchanged then again it up to you really ,i

I understand I'm under no legal obligation to allow access so will have to decide

Schwarzwald

Deleted_User said:

TheJP said:

I guess it depends on circumstances, why do they want to go up in the loft? If the loft was boarded up or had a lot of stuff up there then I would be inclined to decline. If it was after exchange i would say that whatever the reason they want to go up there can wait as your priorities will be preparing to move.

I remember a thread here were someone was adamant that they would be having 1-2 visits a week leading up to completion. So that they could measure up, check blinds measurements etc. No need.

I'm not sure if the loft has got boards down on the joists but they want to have a look to measure up to do some potential building work. I'm fairly relaxed and want to be helpful but I know that attics are sometimes regarded as being more dangerous than other parts of a building.

Reads to me that your gut has already told you what to do, so just do that. As others said, you can happily decline and dont need to really explain yourself

user1977

Your insurance includes cover for third party claims by visitors, if that's your main concern. But I suspect you're overthinking things. 

Martin_the_Unjust

If the purchaser come here and started a thread saying the owner of the house I’m buying won’t let me view the loft I can almost guarantee that the majority of responses would be 

‘he is hiding something, walk away’

daivid

Martin_the_Unjust said:

If the purchaser come here and started a thread saying the owner of the house I’m buying won’t let me view the loft I can almost guarantee that the majority of responses would be 

‘he is hiding something, walk away’

That would be tricky after exchange.