Can I ask sellers for the costs of their bills?

northernlass29876

Mid purchase of a property and we’re curious to know the running costs of the house we’re buying. Would it be okay to ask the seller what their monthly costs are? We’re specifically referring to energy and water. 

housebuyer143

northernlass29876 said:

Mid purchase of a property and we’re curious to know the running costs of the house we’re buying. Would it be okay to ask the seller what their monthly costs are? We’re specifically referring to energy and water. 

What people use is very unique to them.. I'm not sure what they use is going to be an exact reflection of what you will. 
You can of course ask but the EPC will probably have a rough indication on it

user1977

You can ask, though (assuming you mean metered water) they'll all vary depending on the household's habits. You can make reasonable estimates from other sources (e.g. the comparison sites).

Martico

If I was selling, I'd be happy to provide that kind of info. Depends on the vendor I guess, and any rapport you've developed with them already

lika_86

Martico said:

If I was selling, I'd be happy to provide that kind of info. Depends on the vendor I guess, and any rapport you've developed with them already

I'd be the exact opposite. Bills are what bills are based on usage. If a buyer started asking me questions like this then I'd start to wonder whether it's because actually they're thinking about affordability and are considering pulling out. They aren't questions related to the title so I'd decline to answer them.

Martico

Not for me, but I understand that people are different so wouldn't take offence if I was buying from you. I'd be open and upfront about everything, it seems right and it builds trust

housebuyer143

And to add, they might be on a really good tariff so report to use £80 a month for gas and electric. They might also sit in a freezing house and never use the dryer or turn on lights. 
Alternatively they might have a grow room in the loft and spend a small fortune on electric running it.

You get my point though.. Simply asking what they use without any context with how they live in the house, isn't really going to tell you anything at all.

lookstraightahead

Yes I expect to be asked all sorts and I ask all sorts. They're trying to sell true house, they'd be short sighted to refuse (I would wonder what they were hiding). 

I've asked all kinds of strange things and no one has ever refused to answer. I even asked how loud the Dawn chorus was as I live close to the woods.

lookstraightahead

lika_86 said:

Martico said:

If I was selling, I'd be happy to provide that kind of info. Depends on the vendor I guess, and any rapport you've developed with them already

I'd be the exact opposite. Bills are what bills are based on usage. If a buyer started asking me questions like this then I'd start to wonder whether it's because actually they're thinking about affordability and are considering pulling out. They aren't questions related to the title so I'd decline to answer them.

Doesn't that add to the likelihood of them pulling out though (for example as a buyer I would wonder what you might be hiding) 

user1977

lookstraightahead said:

lika_86 said:

Martico said:

If I was selling, I'd be happy to provide that kind of info. Depends on the vendor I guess, and any rapport you've developed with them already

I'd be the exact opposite. Bills are what bills are based on usage. If a buyer started asking me questions like this then I'd start to wonder whether it's because actually they're thinking about affordability and are considering pulling out. They aren't questions related to the title so I'd decline to answer them.

Doesn't that add to the likelihood of them pulling out though (for example as a buyer I would wonder what you might be hiding) 

As a seller I might think you a flakey buyer if you're only now thinking about your budgeting when we're already knee-deep in the process. But I'd probably share them.

badger09

I’m with @Martico on this. I’d happily provide details, even though they would be meaningless without context.
For example, when we viewed & our surveyor visited this bungalow on cold, damp days in Nov/Dec 2020, the vendors had no heating on. They were either hardy or frugal Scots, or they knew about the inherent faults😏, but basically, their bills would have little relevance to the way we live here now.