Buying a house with asbestos roof tiles

stuart45

Bigphil1474 said:

The number of beneficiaries is largely irrelevant, it's the executors who decide whether to accept your offer. 

It's relevant in a lot of cases. The executors are often the beneficiaries as well, so they will consider how the offer works out for them. Every case is different, but in general it's much easier to get a lower price on a probate sale.

lawcher

stuart45 said:

When they start to curl up it's nearing the end of its lifespan.

The replacement ones are dreadful if something happens to these tiles we don’t have £30,000 to remove and replace 

lawcher

stuart45 said:

When they start to curl up it's nearing the end of it's lifespan.

Asbestos is dangerous the roofs already been messed with, that’s untrue if it’s curling it’s really dangerous

im 100% most wouldn’t buy a house with asbestos roof UK is tortious for wind and weather damage to roofs  
the owner died of lung problems 

mexican_dave

From these photos this roof has no obvious defects likely to lead to a roof-leak. So there is no need to rush to replace the asbestos tiles. By all means get your quote to replace, including any need for extra timbers, different tiles could be heavier, adding weight to structure. Tell the agent the reduction you are asking for, the sellers might meet you half-way (50% of your reduction), then you save up for a few years after buying to replace. So my strategy is to reduce the costs and spread the remaining cost over time.

stuart45

There are a few potential leak points where the tiles aren't sitting flat. 

Section62

mexican_dave said:

From these photos this roof has no obvious defects likely to lead to a roof-leak. So there is no need to rush to replace the asbestos tiles. By all means get your quote to replace, including any need for extra timbers, different tiles could be heavier, adding weight to structure. Tell the agent the reduction you are asking for, the sellers might meet you half-way (50% of your reduction), then you save up for a few years after buying to replace. So my strategy is to reduce the costs and spread the remaining cost over time.

Its a terrible job, possibly by someone who has never worked with artificial slates before.  If the work hasn't been done by someone who knows that they are doing there's every chance slates have been broken in order to fit them.

Artifical slates (non-asbestos) are still readily available, so unless the owner wanted to change the style of the roof covering there is no need for the roof load to be increased and/or for the roof structure to be strengthened.

As stuart45 said, there are signs the slates are at (or past) the end of their useful service life, so it would be wise to budget for replacement in the not to distant future.

Bigphil1474

lawcher said:

stuart45 said:

When they start to curl up it's nearing the end of it's lifespan.

Asbestos is dangerous the roofs already been messed with, that’s untrue if it’s curling it’s really dangerous

im 100% most wouldn’t buy a house with asbestos roof UK is tortious for wind and weather damage to roofs  
the owner died of lung problems 

Asbestos roof tiles are pretty much no more dangerous than any other roof tiles whilst they are on the roof and in reasonable condition, and the asbestos tiles aren't curling up, it looks like plastic tiles or something were used to fill the gap.

OP, yes, that roof is in pretty poor condition and definitely a botch job. In my experience, 'asbestos specialists' tend to add a chunk of mark up as soon as you ask them to quote for anything, but the problem might be getting a decent roofer to do the work (at least this side of Christmas).

You don't need an asbestos specialist or asbestos company to remove the old roof - it's not licensable work. You would have to pay extra to dispose of the asbestos tiles, but that will be down to the local council and how much they charge - it'll probably be a price by the tonne. That's your extra cost. Of course, if the roof then needs any remedial work before a new roof is fitted, then that will be a cost but that would be the same with any roof. I'd suggest getting a couple of quotes from roofers, making them aware that it is an asbestos tiled roof before hand, then see where you are at.

Bigphil1474

stuart45 said:

Bigphil1474 said:

The number of beneficiaries is largely irrelevant, it's the executors who decide whether to accept your offer. 

It's relevant in a lot of cases. The executors are often the beneficiaries as well, so they will consider how the offer works out for them. Every case is different, but in general it's much easier to get a lower price on a probate sale.

So you agree the number of beneficiaries is irrelevant, it's what the executors think that is important (as I said). If there are 11 beneficiaries and only 2 of them are executors, then it's the 2 that decide irrespective of what the other 9 think. If they are happy with the reduced price, then they can agree it. If the executors are family, they'll probably be glad to get rid of the house and finish off sorting the estate (from experience), and the constant nagging from the beneficiaries as to when they'll get their money etc. (from experience) which is more likely why it's easier to get a good deal on a probate property, it's a frustrating and painful process. If the executors are solicitors, they might not even care what the beneficiaries think, they'll just balance expediency vs best price vs best outcome for the estate.

stuart45

Bigphil1474 said:

stuart45 said:

Bigphil1474 said:

The number of beneficiaries is largely irrelevant, it's the executors who decide whether to accept your offer. 

It's relevant in a lot of cases. The executors are often the beneficiaries as well, so they will consider how the offer works out for them. Every case is different, but in general it's much easier to get a lower price on a probate sale.

So you agree the number of beneficiaries is irrelevant, it's what the executors think that is important (as I said). If there are 11 beneficiaries and only 2 of them are executors, then it's the 2 that decide irrespective of what the other 9 think. If they are happy with the reduced price, then they can agree it. If the executors are family, they'll probably be glad to get rid of the house and finish off sorting the estate (from experience), and the constant nagging from the beneficiaries as to when they'll get their money etc. (from experience) which is more likely why it's easier to get a good deal on a probate property, it's a frustrating and painful process. If the executors are solicitors, they might not even care what the beneficiaries think, they'll just balance expediency vs best price vs best outcome for the estate.

Not always irrelevant. The executors have a duty to do their best for the beneficiaries, so they will often discuss the price with them. The estate agent will push it that 30 grand divided up between 11 is only a few grand each. The agents and developers know that this is often a key point in probate sales.
Doesn't always work, but it works enough for them to make a good profit.

lawcher

Thankyou for all your help and advice we have contacted the estate agent so will see what the vendors say about reduction
it’s a buyers market so we can wait