Homebuyers Report - who's responsible?

[happybunch]

We are in the process of selling our house and have sold it for 15K under the asking price. The people buhing our house have had a full homebuyers report done which has flagged up various minor things and their solicitors are now asking that we put all these things right, at our expense, prior to exchange! Is this the norm and are we legally obliged to do this as they haven't given us full market value for our property? Would be glad of any advice.

[LIZS]

You can negotiate. Of course they will want it all done at your expense but you are under no obligation to do any of it or agree a further discount. Maybe there are one or two things which are more of an issue which you can address quickly, or go 50:50 on. However they can equally just walk away now if it bothers them that much.

[Gonzo33]

My friend is going through this at the moment, except she is the buyer. The vendor has negotiated a further discount for this reason.

What has the report brought up?

[Grevling]

You've not "sold" it you've had an offer, you've not sold it until you exchange contracts. Unless your in Scotland where that is binding everything now is down to negotiation.

[happybunch]

OK, so no we've not sold but accepted an offer. It threw up that one of the foul drains was partially blocked and we needed to get a specialist company in to sort it out and provide them with an inspection report. We've checked the drains and there's no blockage of any sort. Have now had an independent company out and they have also confirmed that we don't have any blockages. There are other very minor things that, if they want the house, they can do themselves. When you buy a house of ten years old you can't expect it to be as it was when it was new! It seems to have thrown up stuff just to delay the whole process.

[Gonzo33]

If I am honest, as a mortgage advisor and house buyer, I have never ever seen a clean report. Not once. Surveyors like to cover their arse so they cannot get sued in any shape or form (very expensive business that). If the report has genuinely brought up only very minor issues than the buyers are either ftb's, had something go horribly wrong before, or very naive as to these things. It is good that you have had the report done as that should put their minds to rest.

Good luck with the rest of it.

[happybunch]

Hi Gonzo33, thank you for that. I am hopefull now (as the drain issue seemed the only major thing) that things will progress smoothly. The house we are due to buy is 12 years old and we weren't advised to get a fully homebuyers report done as it was unecessary so we haven't bothered. I think our buyers are fussy people by the sounds of it. Fingers crossed, we don't have any more bother. Appreciate your reply. Thanks.

[An0therName]

Well I have bought 2 houses - had homebuyers reports and always go back to the vendors about them - one time they split the cost - and the other time they said no - they were older houses than 10 years though
the market value is what someone was prepared to pay though not the asking price