House I'm about to buy is flooded and "uninhabitable"

[TheAbsentGazelle]

So as those who may recognise my username will know, I've recently separated from my abusive ex DP so we put the house on the market and I've had an offer accepted on a new place. We've found a buyer for our house too now and everything was on track to complete by the middle of January.

I've just had a phone call from my solicitors today saying the house I'm about to buy has experienced "significant flooding" and is currently "uninhabitable". No further details yet due to the Christmas break but I believe it's needing all new electrics, a new central heating system, but work has now started on doing the necessary repairs.

The solicitors say I have 2 options.. carry on with my plan of buying this house although they don't have a date yet when it may be finished.. or pull out now and look for another house.

Am I crazy for continuing with this purchase? What if the flooding has affected other parts of the house - floorboards or walls which doesn't become apparent until later? Am I better to just cut my losses and look for something else? It wasn't exactly my dream home but options are extremely limited on the housing market where I am.

Does anyone have any advice on what to do? ☹️

I wouldn't worry about a burst pipe. Get an estimate on when the work will be finished and what is to be done,then ask the seller to pay for a Rics survey for you.That way you will know the building is properly fixed and the flooding won't cause you any further issues in future.

Relying on a Rics survey when it's just going to say, we weren't able to inspect behind the plasterboard... but

I would run for the hills, the property will take 6-9 months to dry based in the description of the property being currently uninhabitable. Anything less will be a cosmetic cover up which you will yourself be responsible for sorting out as the problems arise x

Walk away, the house won't dry for months.

I thought that too. They're not going to rip up carpets to check floorboards or anything are they?

If not, I'd definitely bail. It's one thing if it's a simple purchase and you take possession to find that they've taken a light fixture or that in their move out the paint on the walls have some scrape marks or there are lots of nail holes to patch & paint. Maybe even a scratch in the flooring. That's stuff that's irritating, but relatively easy and cheap to fix But the condition of this house has changed MASSIVELY, to the point where (for lack of better words) it's not even the 'same house' that you agreed to purchase.

I would pullout 1000%, it will take months for it to dry and repairs should not start until it is. It literally could take a year or more.

It will also affect insurance and price so it is a no brainer… let it go.

Would your buyer be open to delaying even until end of Feb? Give you some breathing space? Are they a ftb?

but if there’s anything else on the market for you then that will probably be quicker than waiting for this to dry out.

No, as I say you have to take a view on it yourself really. You can try to negotiate a significant discount for the risk involved but in all honestly it sounds like a load of hassle especially as your solicitors aren't really proactive. Guess you're going to have to work out whether it's worth it or not.

I don't think the buyer will wait ☹️ she has sold her house already and has been living with family for a month already. She will be keen to get moving.

Do not buy this house! There may be extensive and costly damage which won't be picked up on most surveys. Extensive renovations may be needed. In addition it may be that plumbing needs further replacing. The extra wait you will have finding a new house may well be shorter than the time it will take for this house to be properly inhabitable again !

I've seen another house which has recently come on the market. Same price. Better area. Needing some reno work though. I wonder whether to just bite the bullet ☹️

In your shoes I would:

• identify a suitable contractor or competent person who can walk round and inspect the damage with you
• ask the solicitor -iirc in Scotland there is an odd symbiosis between solicitors and estate agents to allow you both to see the property before repairs start.
• find out from the sellers who is doing the repairs (and if via insurance) and get a project plan with dates for the work to be completed.
• walk round again with the expert once the basic repairs are dobe but before any cosmetic finishes are applied so you can see the work done
• get a new surveyors’ report before eg carpets are relaid
• reduce your offer by at least the cost of your interim accommodation.

If at any stage it seems possible that full return to ‘what you offered on’ is not likely, or any of the above is not agreed, walk away.

If you tell the sellers their choice is let you revisit or you'll pull out they will probably let you visit - try asking them nicely first and then threat if they say no. If they wont let you look back out.

The property will be uninhabitable because the electrics and central heating need replacing. If they had the sense to turn the water off at the mains, as we do whenever we go on holiday, it may not be much more damage than that, if they didnt then any carpets have probably already been removed because they'll go mouldy if they havent been and yes the ceiling may have come down on them. I'd be more concerned about the floor coverings if they were laminate, that'll need to be replaced but I'd want to see the floorboards.

Oh, in that case just walk away and offer elsewhere.

Go and have a look and put an offer in if you like it!

As you have found a buyer and wth a recession coming would be good to keep the buyer consider moving into somewhere rented or family temporarily whilst finding another house. Do not buy the flooded one. I am not sure if you are married or not but either way double check with your solicitor if you really do have to sell the current home in which you live (in case your abusive ex partner is making you sell when legally you don't have to do so).

Moving into rental in this market??

We had a slow leak of the pipe under the sink in our kitchen this summer. We woke up to about an inch of water in the kitchen but luckily it was contained to the kitchen/dining room which are open plan. Even then, they had to rip out all the kitchen units, flooring, underlay - down to the concrete. Even with the heat this summer, and dehumidifiers that our insurance company provided us, it took over 3 months for the floor and walls to be completely dry. They came every 2 weeks with a gadget to check the moisture as they said if they rebuild when it’s still wet, it will cause all sorts of issues. Depending on how much water leaked, it could take months for the house to be dry enough to be repaired. Realistically, it will more than likely be at least a year.

iIn your shoes, I would 100% pull out. I wouldn’t be happy with a rush job on the repair either.

If the electrics need to be replaced, every single room will need to be partially replastered and redecorated… they cannot re plaster until it us dry and it takes months for brick to dry.

Considering current conditions and falling prices I would be tempted to carry on with the sake of the house it move out and rent while you find a new place.

Whatever you do, don’t buy a house that floods, much less so one that IS currently flooded. The repairs would go into the ten thousands of pounds and will take nearly a year (if the water recedes quickly)

Yeah, absolutely could not afford a rental right now!

You need more information but this could work to your advantage. You need to know timescales for the works, extent of the works needed, what plans are, i.e. is there an insurance contractor and drying company in place? If so, if they are willing to let you choose new fixtures and fittings, decor etc, and cover any costs you incur whilst waiting you could end up with a house refurbished to your own taste.. you do need to be 100% clear on what is required and need assurances that all works will be completed to the correct standard with guarantees..a burst pipe is completely different to a flood from a river for e.g. and is relatively easy to fix the damage.

I would pull out. Start looking but don't let your house sale be delayed. Rent for a couple of months if you have to. It seems like an extra expense to rent but you will likely get a discount on another home if you are a cash buyer with no chain. I hope you are doing ok, i realise how upset you must be.

It will need to dry out before any repair work can start. If you hope to complete in January you need to look for an interim solution or alternative property to buy.

In that case I'd definitely back out after viewing and assessing the new property and getting an inspection. If there's reno to be done, you can always offer a lower price to cover those expenses. If the cost of reno is already factored in and it's the same as the waterlogged house, be sure you get estimates and that you have the funds to do the reno work? Another benefit to this 'new' house is that you'd be 'in charge' of the work and can get it done to your satisfaction.

Just be sure that place is 'habitable' during reno work.

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this nightmare.