Lead Paint Throughout Recently-Bought House - Who's Liable?

mabbit

Have you checked the pipes yet 

london21

Contact your solicitor but doubt you have a claim.

Once exchanged and complete it is now yours and your responsibility. 

saajan_12

Leogames said:

I've just bought an old house and discovered that the walls in virtually every room has lead paint under the top layer.

The sellers didn't tell me, but lived here for 20 years.  I had a level 3 survey, which didn't mention it.  Who's liable for any remedial works?

• The sellers, because they should have informed me? - no, they don't have to inform you of anything unless specifically asked. 
• The surveyor, because they didn't pick it up (and yes I know they can't test, but could've alerted it as a potential issue from seeing thick layers of paint and/or being aware it's an old house)?  - well you can see its an old house too.. Its not part of a standard survey, and a generic statement saying "it could contain lead, not tested" for every house in the country doesn't really help (similar to the generic statements about not tested gas / electrics). 
• Me as the buyer, because buyer beware and I didn't test for it?  -well you're not liable to anyone, its just up to you if you WANT to change it. 

(Please note this question is not about how to remove or live with the paint itself, which I'm investigating separately)

All constructive input greatly appreciated in advance.

In line. Only responded to your exact question as instructed, sir. 

lookstraightahead

Op, you will find lots of things different with an old house.

Wait til you realise your walls aren't even straight and you can't fit a standard door. 

robatwork

pumas said:

I'd plump for it being your responsibility.

I hope you said that deliberately. Or am I plumbing the depths?

jimbog

robatwork said:

pumas said:

I'd plump for it being your responsibility.

I hope you said that deliberately. Or am I plumbing the depths?

That plumbing will be probably be made of lead 

theartfullodger

Having been born in 1947, certainly had lead pipes (where the word plumbing comes from..) and no doubt lead paint for much of my early life plus lead in petrol (anti-knock additives) who should I sue about only living to 74 (so far...)

Not to mention asbestos in many things, particularly brake shoes (not pads, disk brakes v v special then).

lincroft1710

theartfullodger said:

Having been born in 1947, certainly had lead pipes (where the word plumbing comes from..) and no doubt lead paint for much of my early life plus lead in petrol (anti-knock additives) who should I sue about only living to 74 (so far...)

Not to mention asbestos in many things, particularly brake shoes (not pads, disk brakes v v special then).

You forgot to mention portable gas fires, where the gas came from an easily turned on gas tap via a rubber tube to the fire, unswitched electrical sockets, non smokeless solid fuel, 

YoungBlueEyes

We used to have one of those fires lincroft1710, bladdy good it was too.

Also lead paint in our cots for us to suck and chew. Then when we got big enough - lead painted toys for us to suck and chew.

ETA It was this one. Although it's been discontinued there's still very similar ones available. Wonder if they'll make a comeback...

https://thegascentre.co.uk/calor-gas-heaters/calor-gas-heater/superser-f150-portable-gas-heater

theartfullodger

lincroft1710 said:

theartfullodger said:

Having been born in 1947, certainly had lead pipes (where the word plumbing comes from..) and no doubt lead paint for much of my early life plus lead in petrol (anti-knock additives) who should I sue about only living to 74 (so far...)

Not to mention asbestos in many things, particularly brake shoes (not pads, disk brakes v v special then).

You forgot to mention portable gas fires, where the gas came from an easily turned on gas tap via a rubber tube to the fire, unswitched electrical sockets, non smokeless solid fuel, 

Plus free-standing paraffin stoves which we had.  Easily overturned...

Gas, yes.  My dad, born 1903, before 'planes, woke up one morning feeling weird and muzzy (teens): Ladbroke Grove.  Went for walk to clear his head.  Went back home, smelt gas, shut off whole house....

Turned out his dad, my grandfather, had had electric light installed very early.  Gas company told to shut it off.  They just blocked end off (wall gas light) tube in each room bunged up with a cork thinking this electric fad will fail, they'll want gas back in a couple of years..  After a few years the cork dried out and started leaking...

Lucky dad or no me....