Water damage to a ceiling in a potential property

Turner79

Hi all,

My partner and I are first time buyers and have viewed a flat that we really like but there are some problems we’re not sure how to go about. The flat is currently filled with tenants.

Problem - The flat above had a boiler leak which has left cracks in the kitchen ceiling, they look substantial but no communication has occurred between the upstairs flat owner or the landlord. When i asked the estate agent if the landlord was aware, his reply was ‘I wasn’t aware of the damage I assume the damage will be sorted by the upstairs vendor”.

But wouldn’t it be his responsibility to get the ball rolling and contact the flat aboves owner to fix the damage caused to his property as without his communication they could be unaware of the damage. 

We’re worried about why he’s left it for so long and if he doesn’t plan to deal with it, the potential costs it leaves us dealing with it. 

Hope this makes sense, thanks in advance for any help.

user1977

Turner79 said:

When i asked the estate agent if the landlord was aware, his reply was ‘I wasn’t aware of the damage I assume the damage will be sorted by the upstairs vendor”.

Ask the question again and this time try to get it answered?

tripled

Turner79 said:

Hi all,

My partner and I are first time buyers and have viewed a flat that we really like but there are some problems we’re not sure how to go about. The flat is currently filled with tenants.

The tenants are your biggest problem. I wouldn't consider it until the tenants have moved out.

Then you still have the water damage issue... run away!

BikingBud

Request that he EA passes on your highest regards to the vendors:

1. Advises that if they are seriously wanting to sell that they remove the tenants and then get the damage repaired.
2. Says ring me back when 1 is complete.
3. Thanks

eddddy

It sounds like the estate agent is talking nonsense.

If the seller planned to repair the flat before selling it, I suspect they would have waited until the tenants had left, and then done the repairs before putting the property on the market.

So  I'd say the seller is almost certainly planning to sell the flat with cracked ceilings.

It's not definite that the people upstairs are liable for the damage, and so it's best to assume that they won't be paying for it.


So you should assume that you will be buying a flat with a cracked ceiling, and you will have to pay to have the ceiling repaired. So you need to adjust your offer accordingly.


(But as others say, the fact that there are tenants still in the flat is a worry.)

Turner79

tripled said:

Turner79 said:

Hi all,

My partner and I are first time buyers and have viewed a flat that we really like but there are some problems we’re not sure how to go about. The flat is currently filled with tenants.

The tenants are your biggest problem. I wouldn't consider it until the tenants have moved out.

Then you still have the water damage issue... run away!

I should have mentioned, the listing initially went up for buy to let buyers only as he wanted to let the tenants stay. A few months ago this opened up to normal buyers aswell. 

We’d assumed that if we made an offer the 2 month notice would be served and the property would be vacated around the time we got the keys etc. 

We’ve got comfortable living circumstances and wouldn’t be too fussed if the process took longer. 

But like you say, water damage is a huge issue 😩

Turner79

BikingBud said:

Request that he EA passes on your highest regards to the vendors:

1. Advises that if they are seriously wanting to sell that they remove the tenants and then get the damage repaired.
2. Says ring me back when 1 is complete.
3. Thanks

Thanks for this, hearing that makes me think we need to be a bit firmer with our communication and not dance around the problem so much.

AskAsk

he would have to claim on the block insurance for the damage repair and it seems he hasn't been bothered to do so.

Turner79

eddddy said:

It sounds like the estate agent is talking nonsense.

If the seller planned to repair the flat before selling it, I suspect they would have waited until the tenants had left, and then done the repairs before putting the property on the market.

So  I'd say the seller is almost certainly planning to sell the flat with cracked ceilings.

It's not definite that the people upstairs are liable for the damage, and so it's best to assume that they won't be paying for it.


So you should assume that you will be buying a flat with a cracked ceiling, and you will have to pay to have the ceiling repaired. So you need to adjust your offer accordingly.


(But as others say, the fact that there are tenants still in the flat is a worry.)

I think you’re right about them talking nonsense, it feels like they’re palming the question off completely. I don’t see how anyone could go ahead with an offer with the damage and leaks being such big uncertainties.

Turner79

UPDATE: I’ve just spoken to the EA who said the landlord won’t serve the eviction notice until a bid is made as he doesn’t want to go without rent.

He’s also said he’s selling as seen so isn’t willing to cooperate with having someone in to check the ceiling and has no plans to fix the damage as he thinks it’ll just be a repaint job. EA suggested survey to check extent of damage, of course this would be our course of action anyway.

This is the damage.

Turner79

Unsure if there could be structural damage caused by this?