Buyer Asking us reduce house sale by 9K but not allowing us to see survey.

steampowered

Woodworm is a reasonable reason for asking for a reduction. There is room to negotiate here.

However I wouldn't contemplate a reduction unless you are sent at least the relevant bits of the survey. 

TripleH

One of our dining chairs has woodworm marks. They're probably older than our dining table. We treated the chair when we brought it home (we bought our chairs second hand).

The chair was used by our 18 stone friend without issue. The holes are likely cosmetic markings rather than structural, that is the arguement I'd put to your buyer. Although it doesn't stop you verifying that assumption if you so desire.

FreeBear

Tiglet2 said:  OK woodworm might not be seen on a viewing,

Active woodworm wouldn't be visible at any time - The little burgers will be hidden inside timber where they can much away in peace. Only when the grubs pupate and bore their way out does their presence become known as evidenced by the exit holes. But at that point, they are no longer munching on the wood. A few holes in dry timber is nothing to worry about, and unless there is fresh frass evident, it is likely to be historic.

If the timbers are damp and "mushy", then there would be grounds for concern. But too many people get hung up on the sight of a few small pinpricks and think the worst.

And data protection (GDPR) only relates to personal information - A building is an inanimate structure and does not fall within the protection of the GDPR. That said, there may be contractual reasons stipulated by the surveyor for not sharing the report.

Section62

TripleH said:

The holes are likely cosmetic markings rather than structural, that is the arguement I'd put to your buyer. Although it doesn't stop you verifying that assumption if you so desire.

Without knowing more about the nature of the woodworm problem it is impossible to reach any conclusion.  It could be anything from a few holes in a piece of architrave through to the roof joists being riddled.  Woodworm is a recognised wood pest, with the potential to weaken structural timber.

The OP doesn't need to see an extract of the survey to confirm/refute this themselves.  Get the buyer to identify the specific locations where the signs of woodworm are alleged to be, then grab a torch and have a look.

Section62

Lolarose13 said:

The buyers builder has also quoted to replace the glass panes in the garage and outbuilding doors which are ‘misty’ which is purely cosmetic. 

If these are double glazing sealed units then misting indicates a failure which means the units are no longer performing as they should.  It is more than just cosmetic.  Whether there is a practical significance of the failure will depend on what the outbuildings are used for, and the thermal performance of the rest of the structure.

jimbog

Section62 said:

TripleH said:

The holes are likely cosmetic markings rather than structural, that is the arguement I'd put to your buyer. Although it doesn't stop you verifying that assumption if you so desire.

The OP doesn't need to see an extract of the survey to confirm/refute this themselves.  Get the buyer to identify the specific locations where the signs of woodworm are alleged to be, then grab a torch and have a look.

^^ this.

Make sure that the woodworm is active and not 'historic'. Could be that the person than they used to check the woodworm was a salesperson rather than a 'surveyor'

Lolarose13

Section62 said:

Lolarose13 said:

The buyers builder has also quoted to replace the glass panes in the garage and outbuilding doors which are ‘misty’ which is purely cosmetic. 

If these are double glazing sealed units then misting indicates a failure which means the units are no longer performing as they should.  It is more than just cosmetic.  Whether there is a practical significance of the failure will depend on what the outbuildings are used for, and the thermal performance of the rest of the structure.

It is a brick built shed for storing the lawn mower, gardening stuff etc so in my opinion cosmetic, unless the buyer decides to sleep in it!

Thrugelmir

Lolarose13 said:

Section62 said:

Lolarose13 said:

The buyers builder has also quoted to replace the glass panes in the garage and outbuilding doors which are ‘misty’ which is purely cosmetic. 

If these are double glazing sealed units then misting indicates a failure which means the units are no longer performing as they should.  It is more than just cosmetic.  Whether there is a practical significance of the failure will depend on what the outbuildings are used for, and the thermal performance of the rest of the structure.

It is a brick built shed for storing the lawn mower, gardening stuff etc so in my opinion cosmetic, unless the buyer decides to sleep in it!

Perhaps the purchasers are looking to convert it into an office. 

youth_leader

I am sorry.  I didn't like the language of negotiation my buyer was using, plus it annoyed me my EA used his first name, but he always referred to me as 'the seller'.  He wanted £50K off after the survey, quoting huge amounts for 'urgent works' given to him by his surveyor.  I was so irritated I didn't ask to see the relevant 'extracts' and just withdrew from the sale and left the EA. 

 I think you should continue to ask to see them, it's not copyright.  

Lolarose13

Well the roofer has said the garage roof is ok but will probably need replacing in 5-10 years, he can’t see evidence of woodworm only historic in one beam with tiny pin holes and structurally it is sound. 

He said he will quote for guttering clean and something about trays under the eaves but none of it is urgent or a major problem and was very surprised at the quote the buyers builder have given.

I also forgot to mention that buyers builders quote includes a £250 charge for the estimate!!

I never heard of that before, usually people provide free quotations which makes me wonder if he’s been paid to over estimate or invent the work!

Unless we see evidence from the survey we are not now willing to re-negotiate.