Agent "forgot" to mention a basement utility room

ce5656

Hi all, we're in the process of buying a flat. The flat is not big and we have seen it twice. The EA (two different guys from the same EA) told us both times that what we see inside the flat is what we get (there's indeed no communal garden or roof terrace). I asked if there's basement storage space for bikes and they said no.

After all the title documents were sent over by our solicitor, we saw that it's clearly stated in the title that the property is "Flat X...with basement utility room No.X". The plan also indicates that a street facing (with a big sash window) lower ground floor utility room is part of the title. 

Is it odd that the agent forgot to mention this? Or the sellers forgot to mention it to the agent? This flat is in a very central location and judging from the plan, the utility room is about 10% of the size of the flat - surely that's a selling point?! Of course I'm not complaining...I just found this very odd.

We're moving toward the end of the conveyancing process and I'm going to ask the EA for a final inspection. Surely I should ask to see the utility room then? 

Any suggestion on what to do with this room is also much appreciated:) Laundry room is an obvious one but I'm also thinking about a yoga room? Indoor cycling?

HampshireH

Definitely ask to see it. You want to know what your buying.

I'd want to make sure it's fully kitted out 

You don't want to be putting a laundry room in an unventilated basement room as you will make it damp 

See if first then make your plans. At the moment it may not even be usable

eddddy

You probably need to take a look at the room before trying to decide what to do with it. It might be useless and/or in very poor condition - which might explain why they didn't want to show it to you.

For example, it may have insufficient head height, compacted earth floor, damp (or puddles/floods when it rains) etc - and/or very steep/dangerous stairs.

But even if that's the case, it might be ok for keeping your bikes (if the stairs are manageable).

Or maybe it's in reasonable condition, and good enough for other purposes.


Edit to add...

Depending on the age of the building, it might have been used for things like storing coal - which was originally poured into it via a coalhole at front of the building.

canaldumidi

Is it odd that the agent forgot to mention this? Or the sellers forgot to mention it to the agent?

Yes odd. But at least you are getting more than expected, not less! Go and take a look.....

I'd use it to build a sailing dinghy.

ce5656

Thanks everyone!

The building is Georgian, and there's a lightwell in the front with stairs. A few weeks ago my husband and I sneakily walked down the stairs to see if we could see anything through the window...there's a curtain inside!

There are also two basement flats in this building, one on each side. From what I saw walking by, they definitely need to have lights on at all times.  

theoretica

Definitely sort this out - if, for instance, someone else is using it or thinks it is theirs you need to know!

GDB2222

canaldumidi said:

Is it odd that the agent forgot to mention this? Or the sellers forgot to mention it to the agent?

Yes odd. But at least you are getting more than expected, not less! Go and take a look.....

I'd use it to build a sailing dinghy.

A very, very small dinghy. Even if the room is large, you'll need to get it out through the door.

Slithery

GDB2222 said:

canaldumidi said:

Is it odd that the agent forgot to mention this? Or the sellers forgot to mention it to the agent?

Yes odd. But at least you are getting more than expected, not less! Go and take a look.....

I'd use it to build a sailing dinghy.

A very, very small dinghy. Even if the room is large, you'll need to get it out through the door.

Didn't ever seem to be a problem for Gibbs.

GDB2222

Slithery said:

GDB2222 said:

canaldumidi said:

Is it odd that the agent forgot to mention this? Or the sellers forgot to mention it to the agent?

Yes odd. But at least you are getting more than expected, not less! Go and take a look.....

I'd use it to build a sailing dinghy.

A very, very small dinghy. Even if the room is large, you'll need to get it out through the door.

Didn't ever seem to be a problem for Gibbs.

Ah, this reference to building a boat in the basement - google tells me it's something to do with NCIS. I regret to say that I have never watched a single episode, so that went whoosh right past me. 

canaldumidi

Years (decades) ago, my uncle built a yacht in his back garden. Had to get a crane to lift it over the house.

Then he sailed it to New Zealand and never returned.

badger09

ce5656 said:

Hi all, we're in the process of buying a flat. The flat is not big and we have seen it twice. The EA (two different guys from the same EA) told us both times that what we see inside the flat is what we get (there's indeed no communal garden or roof terrace). I asked if there's basement storage space for bikes and they said no.

After all the title documents were sent over by our solicitor, we saw that it's clearly stated in the title that the property is "Flat X...with basement utility room No.X". The plan also indicates that a street facing (with a big sash window) lower ground floor utility room is part of the title. 

Is it odd that the agent forgot to mention this? Or the sellers forgot to mention it to the agent? This flat is in a very central location and judging from the plan, the utility room is about 10% of the size of the flat - surely that's a selling point?! Of course I'm not complaining...I just found this very odd.

We're moving toward the end of the conveyancing process and I'm going to ask the EA for a final inspection. Surely I should ask to see the utility room then? 

Any suggestion on what to do with this room is also much appreciated:) Laundry room is an obvious one but I'm also thinking about a yoga room? Indoor cycling?

Have not had any sort of survey done? On a flat in a Georgian building?

If you had one done, what did your surveyor say?