Re-negotiating price after house survey- what is an allowance?

Sarahbee67

Hi
l was hoping for some advice- l have just been going through the conveyancing process and had my mortgage offer. I completed an independent survey on the house and it has picked some issues that may become major in the future. I would like to  re-negotiate the price with the seller but don't want to delay the process more. My solicitor suggested l ask for an allowance from the seller so l dont need to inform the mortgage lender about the price change and then pay less towards the end- has anyone done this before?
thanks

MultiFuelBurner

What are the issues that could become major in the future and how much are you looking to negotiate by? 

Sarahbee67

MultiFuelBurner said:

What are the issues that could become major in the future and how much are you looking to negotiate by? 

The surveyor mentioned minor damp which isn’t visible but could become visible in the future.
The other issues were more minor such as repointing, overall the surveyor gave a ballpark figure which would be over £1000 to fix. 

niceguyed

Surveyors generally have a meter which always seems to pick up the odd erroneous higher reading and to cover their back always suggest a damp specialist who almost always will find damp and an expensive fix (many will argue is unnecessary or not really solve the real issue).

You then mention repointing but don't mention the age of the property or whether these issues are commensurate with the price?

If that's the extent of the issues and the ballpark figure you've received is such a small amount (I've never known surveyors get that right) I know as a vendor I'd be hacked off. Wish you luck with your purchase just be careful not to scupper it!

Sarahbee67

niceguyed said:

Surveyors generally have a meter which always seems to pick up the odd erroneous higher reading and to cover their back always suggest a damp specialist who almost always will find damp and an expensive fix (many will argue is unnecessary or not really solve the real issue).

You then mention repointing but don't mention the age of the property or whether these issues are commensurate with the price?

If that's the extent of the issues and the ballpark figure you've received is such a small amount (I've never known surveyors get that right) I know as a vendor I'd be hacked off. Wish you luck with your purchase just be careful not to scupper it!

Yeh the damp issue is over £1,000 but the surveyor was just giving an estimate-the other stuff is minor so should be hopefully be a few hundred each. The damp should be normal for the age of the property- 1960s.
The bank completed a desktop valuation and haven't got back to me but approved the mortgage so lm assuming the purchase price is therefore reasonable.
yes lm thinking whether to leave it as l don't want to mess things up! Im a first time buyer so not really sure what the best process is. 

jonnydeppiwish!

Sarahbee67 said:

niceguyed said:

Surveyors generally have a meter which always seems to pick up the odd erroneous higher reading and to cover their back always suggest a damp specialist who almost always will find damp and an expensive fix (many will argue is unnecessary or not really solve the real issue).

You then mention repointing but don't mention the age of the property or whether these issues are commensurate with the price?

If that's the extent of the issues and the ballpark figure you've received is such a small amount (I've never known surveyors get that right) I know as a vendor I'd be hacked off. Wish you luck with your purchase just be careful not to scupper it!

Yeh the damp issue is over £1,000 but the surveyor was just giving an estimate-the other stuff is minor so should be hopefully be a few hundred each. The damp should be normal for the age of the property- 1960s.
The bank completed a desktop valuation and haven't got back to me but approved the mortgage so lm assuming the purchase price is therefore reasonable.
yes lm thinking whether to leave it as l don't want to mess things up! Im a first time buyer so not really sure what the best process is. 

Where in the property is the ‘damp’? What’s on the other side of the wall? I’d be honest and say that, as a seller, if you came to me with it might become a major issue, I’d just laugh you off.

If, though, you said that can you investigate, then I’d be more inclined to fix the issue or give an allowance of a few £100. 

Sarahbee67

jonnydeppiwish! said:

Sarahbee67 said:

niceguyed said:

Surveyors generally have a meter which always seems to pick up the odd erroneous higher reading and to cover their back always suggest a damp specialist who almost always will find damp and an expensive fix (many will argue is unnecessary or not really solve the real issue).

You then mention repointing but don't mention the age of the property or whether these issues are commensurate with the price?

If that's the extent of the issues and the ballpark figure you've received is such a small amount (I've never known surveyors get that right) I know as a vendor I'd be hacked off. Wish you luck with your purchase just be careful not to scupper it!

Yeh the damp issue is over £1,000 but the surveyor was just giving an estimate-the other stuff is minor so should be hopefully be a few hundred each. The damp should be normal for the age of the property- 1960s.
The bank completed a desktop valuation and haven't got back to me but approved the mortgage so lm assuming the purchase price is therefore reasonable.
yes lm thinking whether to leave it as l don't want to mess things up! Im a first time buyer so not really sure what the best process is. 

Where in the property is the ‘damp’? What’s on the other side of the wall? I’d be honest and say that, as a seller, if you came to me with it might become a major issue, I’d just laugh you off.

If, though, you said that can you investigate, then I’d be more inclined to fix the issue or give an allowance of a few £100. 

In the kitchen area and the front wall of the reception area - l was told it might start to come through but it hasnt yet which is why lm doubting what to do and not something the seller may want to even look at repairing if not visible to them 🤷🏻‍♀️

But thanks yeh fixing the issue might work. 

niceguyed

Sarahbee67 said:

niceguyed said:

Surveyors generally have a meter which always seems to pick up the odd erroneous higher reading and to cover their back always suggest a damp specialist who almost always will find damp and an expensive fix (many will argue is unnecessary or not really solve the real issue).

You then mention repointing but don't mention the age of the property or whether these issues are commensurate with the price?

If that's the extent of the issues and the ballpark figure you've received is such a small amount (I've never known surveyors get that right) I know as a vendor I'd be hacked off. Wish you luck with your purchase just be careful not to scupper it!

Yeh the damp issue is over £1,000 but the surveyor was just giving an estimate-the other stuff is minor so should be hopefully be a few hundred each. The damp should be normal for the age of the property- 1960s.
The bank completed a desktop valuation and haven't got back to me but approved the mortgage so lm assuming the purchase price is therefore reasonable.
yes lm thinking whether to leave it as l don't want to mess things up! Im a first time buyer so not really sure what the best process is. 

Obviously you have the benefit of the survey and discussion with your surveyor but I'd be skeptical about the extent of their findings and estimates until there were further investigations.  This brings the second issue of damp specialists always finding damp, especially the ones offering a free survey. If there are no visible signs of damp I'd be less worried but that's just me! But the process is your appetite for risk and judgement as to whether the alleged readings are commensurate with the age and material of the property. You came here for opinions, so if it were me unless I could find real evidence of damp or the surveyor was very worried what you've found seems normal for the age of property. 

ManuelG

I have to say, that sounds a well-maintained property if we're talking that low price figures for maybes in the future.

mi-key

To be honest if you are talking about things that may need doing, and are going to cost a couple of thousand, don't worry about it and just carry on with things. Every survey will find some things that may need doing in the future, it's just how the surveyors cover themselves legally.

Unless a survey comes up with major urgent work then its not a reason to try and renegotiate the price. The survey really just gives you a general idea about the condition of the house, and things you may want to keep an eye on in the future

MultiFuelBurner

With a second hand house it is always worthwhile having a repairs budget set aside. We like to put £2k aside for unforeseen issues such as boiler problems/the inevitable leaks from the wet rooms that you never saw on viewing and didn't open up cupboards to see. All the things hidden from view.