Exchange on house with broken window

KFTB

I'm about to exchange on a house. We did a last minute viewing early last week and saw that one of the downstairs windows was broken and the house was therefore unsecure. 

Just looking for a bit of advise - would you exhange on this? Or would you insist the seller fixed the window before exchange?

The house was tenanted and is currently empty. 

theartfullodger

If the price is right, yes of course. 

You've obviously photographed the place & sent email warning agent for onward warning to owner??

All empty properties are more at risk of break ins than all properties: And all properties are at risk of break ins. 

eddddy

If the house is insecure - I'd suggest that you definitely want the window sorted asap. Either boarded-up or the glass replaced.

It's up to you whether you're happy with boarding-up vs replacement.

You should contact the estate agent fairly urgently to let them know about the problem, and to tell them you need it sorted quickly.


If it's being sold through an estate agent with a lettings department, the lettings department probably have glazing firm or boarding-up firm contacts. So the seller might be able to ask the estate agent to sort it out (and the seller should pay for it).

RobM99

eddddy said:

If the house is insecure - I'd suggest that you definitely want the window sorted asap. Either boarded-up or the glass replaced.

It's up to you whether you're happy with boarding-up vs replacement.

You should contact the estate agent fairly urgently to let them know about the problem, and to tell them you need it sorted quickly.


If it's being sold through an estate agent with a lettings department, the lettings department probably have glazing firm or boarding-up firm contacts. So the seller might be able to ask the estate agent to sort it out (and the seller should pay for it).

 Exactly, I doubt it's the first time ever.

user1977

I assume you had already told them the window is broken? In which case, what's been their response?

KFTB

user1977 said:

I assume you had already told them the window is broken? In which case, what's been their response?

The estate agent was there with us when we viewed last week, but nothing seems to have come of it. Honestly she seemed a bit disinterested. I'll call them tomorrow morning and mention it again. Thanks all. 

Woolsery

How thorough was your inspection and are you sure the window's all that's broken? If the house was tenanted, there might be other surprises in store. I'm not trying to worry you; the tenant may be innocent, but anything broken is a cause for concern.

hazyjo

Yes definitely.

I would be more worried about how the window got broken. They don't just break (well, perhaps they can, but I've never known them to).

Is the house being targeted? Brick through the window by someone thinking the tenant was still there? Were they dodgy? Did the tenant do it after moving out in anger? Before moving out and has trashed the place?

I would arrange an immediate viewing. Like, today!! You don't want anyone getting in there! Get there early, way before the EA. It doesn't sound like anyone knows about the window. You can then see with your own eyes what caused it to break. Brick? Kid's ball? Is the broken glass on the inside or outside? If you mention it now before viewing, they may hide the truth from you. I would put in writing a number of questions about the damage after the EA visits if you can't get there yourself. They'll be less inclined to lie.

Are they all single glazed windows? Wouldn't fancy that much with the rise in energy costs!

hazyjo

PS on reading above again, I think you're saying the EA already knows about the window?

london21

When the property was first viewed, was the window broken or did this happen after? 

You have raised it with the EA, once exchange you are bound to complete, better to sort it out ASAP.

They might agree to fix it, they might decide to leave it but better to get it sorted if you will be living there. 

Will be good to know what caused the window to break, perhaps speak with the neighbour if they might know or have useful  information.