Buying a property - hard to access loft

bexleyheath

I’m buying a house as a first time buyer. There is a loft, but very high up as tall ceilings (24ft = 7.3m). The seller has never been up there (owned for nearly 10 years) and I’m having real trouble getting a ladder hire (both myself and surveyor have tried) to see what on earth is in there!

seller and estate agent have said it’s mine/surveyors responsibility if we want to see the loft to organise getting in.

Does anyone know if it is the sellers legal responsibility to organise this, or if they are correct and it’s mine/surveyors? 

Definitely want to see what’s up there ?bodies ?gold ?a million dead pigeons…

BarelySentientAI

They are correct.

bexleyheath

BarelySentientAI said:

They are correct. 

im sure you’re right, just need to know.
how do you know though? Before I bother every ladder hire in Bath

LHW99

https://www.laddersukdirect.co.uk/ might be cheaper than hiring and would leave you with one for decorating purposes (have used them as we also have very high ceilings)

BarelySentientAI

There's nothing legally that says they have to do anything.  They are allowed to refuse access to you and/or your surveyor if they fancy it - but obviously you would just withdraw your offer in that case.

bluelad1927

It's a bit of a silly approach from the seller in my opinion. I certainly wouldn't be buying it without access to the attic for myself or surveyor.

They may not have to give you access or the ability to access but this will certainly reduce the number of potential buyers

user1977

bexleyheath said:

Does anyone know if it is the sellers legal responsibility to organise this, or if they are correct and it’s mine/surveyors? 

Why would there be any relevant laws? They don't need to let you view the property at all. And you don't need to buy it...

Herzlos

I'd have thought your surveyor would be able to source equipment to view properties. That's high for a ceiling but not high for a gutter, for instance.

bexleyheath

user1977 said:

bexleyheath said:

Does anyone know if it is the sellers legal responsibility to organise this, or if they are correct and it’s mine/surveyors? 

Why would there be any relevant laws? They don't need to let you view the property at all. And you don't need to buy it...

I guess that’s true. I think I was looking at it wrongly. I’m going to go up with a ladder this week. Turns out when they said “24ft vaulted living room” they meant length not height… been laughed at for thinking by eye the 4m ceiling was 7m haha 

Elliott.T123

bexleyheath said:

BarelySentientAI said:

They are correct. 

im sure you’re right, just need to know.
how do you know though? Before I bother every ladder hire in Bath

Because there is no law that forces a seller to do that.

If they wanted to they could just say "no you cant go up there". 
They are choosing to be nice and say "sure, if you can get there go for it" that is a step more than they need to.

bexleyheath

bluelad1927 said:

It's a bit of a silly approach from the seller in my opinion. I certainly wouldn't be buying it without access to the attic for myself or surveyor.

They may not have to give you access or the ability to access but this will certainly reduce the number of potential buyers

Yeah I would have thought they would. But looks like I can get a ladder now so hopefully no sinister surprises up there!