RICS Homebuyer Level 2 Survey - Complaint?

Mildreds_Earrings

lookstraightahead said:

TheJP said:

UnderOffer said:

You can still negotiate with the buyer, most buyers never share the results of a survey with sellers or EA. You could provide the photos if they challenge you.

A sensible seller will want to see certified and credible evidence that the work needs doing. This certified and credible evidence alludes to it not need doing. They don't need photos as the owners can look up, the difference here will be a difference on opinion. Usually you back it up with facts from the survey report. 

From the other perspective, if a buyer is getting itchy feet it would be prudent for the seller to get reports, especially as they will, as you say, be able to look up.

we only bought our current property promptly as the sellers already had a structural engineers report which helped immensely with the surveyor report.

I would want to know as a seller what the issues are, I wouldn't need a buyer to prove it, especially as you can see it.

Agree with you @loo@lookstraightahead If I were a Seller, I would want to know what the problems are too.
We have already gone back to the Seller via the Estate Agent and highlighted our concerns, provided photos, not the actual report, which only shows a Level 2 condition status.  We have advised the Seller that we will get two independent roofing contractors to inspect the roof, bargeboards, etc.

FreeBear

daveyjp said: The timber structures replacement is realtively straightforward.  Some of the slates are broken, but I would refurb what is there.  It appears to be a high quality Welsh slate roof (this wouldn't have been a cheap house to build) which even if you had limitless budget, you are highly unlikely to be able to replace like for like.

There are still a couple of quarries in Wales producing roofing slate. You'll also find one in Cumbria (Lake District), but that tends to be more green in colour. Agreed, it isn't going to be cheap, and the original slates look to be quite thick - Just don't go whacking Spanish or Brazilian slates up, as they won't last anywhere near as long.

Mildreds_Earrings

Thanks for all your responses   

It has been very helpful when you are trying to question the expertise of a RICS Surveyor, whilst relying upon your own limited knowledge.  We have gone back to the RICS Surveyor, provided the photos and asked him to reconsider his Condition Rating 2.

The RICS Surveyor has responded, stating that he will return to the property next week to review those areas, to consider whether he needs to make any changes to his report.

In the meantime, we will arrange for two independent roofing contractors to go on and inspect the roof, soffits, bargeboards, leaking gutters etc and provide quotations for the work.  The roof is four floors up, so scaffolding will be required too.  Eeeeek!

Mildreds_Earrings

FreeBear said:

daveyjp said: The timber structures replacement is realtively straightforward.  Some of the slates are broken, but I would refurb what is there.  It appears to be a high quality Welsh slate roof (this wouldn't have been a cheap house to build) which even if you had limitless budget, you are highly unlikely to be able to replace like for like.

There are still a couple of quarries in Wales producing roofing slate. You'll also find one in Cumbria (Lake District), but that tends to be more green in colour. Agreed, it isn't going to be cheap, and the original slates look to be quite thick - Just don't go whacking Spanish or Brazilian slates up, as they won't last anywhere near as long.

@FreeBear We will bear this in mind  when getting the roofing quotes, thank you.

TheJP

lookstraightahead said:

TheJP said:

UnderOffer said:

You can still negotiate with the buyer, most buyers never share the results of a survey with sellers or EA. You could provide the photos if they challenge you.

A sensible seller will want to see certified and credible evidence that the work needs doing. This certified and credible evidence alludes to it not need doing. They don't need photos as the owners can look up, the difference here will be a difference on opinion. Usually you back it up with facts from the survey report. 

From the other perspective, if a buyer is getting itchy feet it would be prudent for the seller to get reports, especially as they will, as you say, be able to look up.

we only bought our current property promptly as the sellers already had a structural engineers report which helped immensely with the surveyor report.

I would want to know as a seller what the issues are, I wouldn't need a buyer to prove it, especially as you can see it.

That's my point, clearly the OP needs someone else specifically a roofer to inspect the roof so they can provide a report to the seller on the actual condition of the roof. Its likely the sellers will have emotionally check out of the property but if someone wanted a for example £5k reduction for the state of the roof but couldn't provide any certified evidence i would be hesitant.