Am i overreacting about a lack of electricity on viewing? WWYD?

natasha22

We are ftb so unsure of what to make of this situation
We have viewed a property that has been on the market for a fair while, and has laid empty for 2 years due to a range of circumstances. It needs lots of cosmetic work but had had some work done recently
When we viewed there was no electricity. This didnt seem odd as it was when the whole area had a powercut, however we booked a second viewing in order to make sure we hadnt missed anything due to the dusk level of light in house. The bathroom for example looked in a poorer state when we turned phone torches on. 

Subsequently weve been told that the electric box cant be located/is behind a locked cupboard that the vendor doesnt have the key for. The estate agent reports he hasnt seen the electric on but is confident it works due to the work on the house completed. They believe its simply a meter thats run out (although didnt seem confident the property has a meter) 

The estate agent has offered a day time viewing of the house so we can see it more fully, however im concerned that the bathroom etc which has limited windows will still be dark. We cancelled the second viewing as it was after dark, and asked them to contact us when they sorted lights and electric. 
 
We then got told there was another couple viewing, which presumably didnt go well as we got a call stating they were thinking seriously about removing the property from the market, but would persue the electric issue if we gave indication of a "serious" offer

Its hard to know if this is just ftb nerves amplifying an issue or if this is a serious red flag.

Would you consider proceeding on a property with unknown electrics?

Thrugelmir

Bottom line is how much you want to buy the property. The issue whatever it is can be fixed. Unless you are prepared to spend time/money ascertaining the cause and what amount of rectification is neccessary. If you require a mortgage might be best to move on. 

Doozergirl

The electrical wiring is no more known than a house with the electric switched on. Anyone should have an electrical condition report commissioned before buying.  

The actual electric supply being off in itself doesn't particularly bother me.  The house is empty.    There's no doubt that it can be switched on. 

If it has a prepay metre then the owner probably doesn't want to pay the standing charge for nothing.  

 

martindow

No I don't think you're over-reacting.  Unless this house is being sold as something to be demolished and a new house built on the plot, no electricity is pretty basic.  The story about the vendor not having a key to a cupboard is not very plausible.

I suppose you could make an offer which doesn't commit you to anything and get them to sort out the electrical issue as they have promised.  I would not pay any money for surveys or legal costs until you know what you would be letting yourself in for.  Presumably the house is also unheated at the moment which is another potential worry.

Jumblebumble

natasha22 said:

We are ftb so unsure of what to make of this situation
We have viewed a property that has been on the market for a fair while, and has laid empty for 2 years due to a range of circumstances. It needs lots of cosmetic work but had had some work done recently
When we viewed there was no electricity. This didnt seem odd as it was when the whole area had a powercut, however we booked a second viewing in order to make sure we hadnt missed anything due to the dusk level of light in house. The bathroom for example looked in a poorer state when we turned phone torches on. 

Subsequently weve been told that the electric box cant be located/is behind a locked cupboard that the vendor doesnt have the key for. The estate agent reports he hasnt seen the electric on but is confident it works due to the work on the house completed. They believe its simply a meter thats run out (although didnt seem confident the property has a meter) 

The estate agent has offered a day time viewing of the house so we can see it more fully, however im concerned that the bathroom etc which has limited windows will still be dark. We cancelled the second viewing as it was after dark, and asked them to contact us when they sorted lights and electric. 
 
We then got told there was another couple viewing, which presumably didnt go well as we got a call stating they were thinking seriously about removing the property from the market, but would persue the electric issue if we gave indication of a "serious" offer

Its hard to know if this is just ftb nerves amplifying an issue or if this is a serious red flag.

Would you consider proceeding on a property with unknown electrics?

The excuse of vendor does not have a key is a fairy story
Go in on the assumption a complete rewire is required and you will not go far wrong

elsien

They’re going to have to get the meter cupboard open when you (or any other buyer) do your electrical survey, so ask the estate agent why they’re not sorting out that now?
FWIW I wouldn’t take any estate agents assurances as gospel about anything. Anything important get it in writing from the buyer or their solicitor once you’ve put an offer in and got the ball rolling, 

How is the house priced in regards to its condition? If it’s priced as one that needs a lot of work doing then any electrics may already be factored into that. 

canaldumidi

There are many reasons the electricity might be off. Some suggest dodgy wiring etc, many are plausible. If the owners don't have a key (I agree seems strange) it could be they inheritted the house and have never lived there. Or purchased it at auction years ago to 'do up'? Who knows? Empty property insurance might required the water drained down and power cut off.

You could do some research into its ownership history - not hard.

Certainly do another viewing and take a proper torch or two! What does the consumer unit/fuse box look like? What about light switches? Really old fashioned or reasonably modern?

But given that this house has been empty for years, and needs 'cosmetic work', I would simply assume it's going to take money to do up and proceed on that basis. 'Cosmetic work' rapidly extends eg you remove the old wallpaper and the plasterwork starts crumbling.

So make your offer based on a) its value compared to other local properties but taking account of its poor condition and b) what you can afford and still have plenty of £ to do it up. Including re-wiring.

user1977

Not unusual for repossessions and the like to have the power off during viewings - but generally that merely means it's been swiched off and can be flicked back on easily enough.

In this case I'd be inclined to assume it's down to incompetence rather than conspiracy.

ejury

I don't think your over-reacting. When we bought our first property we were told the seller didn't want the electrics or hot water turned on. We naively thought ok, fair enough. 
Once we moved into the property we discovered lots of issues. If we had insisted they let us turn them on we would have discovered before we offered.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

I think you have two problems, one is the electric and the other is the cupboard of mystery. 

Might be better to focus on the cupboard and advise the estate agent it's normal to view the entire house and if the vendor can't find the key they could hire a locksmith or invest in a crowbar. 

Seeing inside the cupboard may well answer your questions regarding electric . 

pinkshoes

Minus the issue with electricity, do you like the house otherwise?

If yes, I would put in an offer, but assume the house will need a complete re-wire and deduct a suitable amount for this. About £6000 to re-wire an average 3 bed house I believe, so do some research.