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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

For the vendor to supply a ladder that she has in the shed, for a loft inspection?

42 replies

Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 17:00

DC2 is considering a house purchase, we are involved, have had one viewing and would like another, We consider it to be entirely reasonalbe to ask if there is a ladder on said property, and if so, could we use it for second viewing, ie, look into loft areas? All we have been offered is a 3 ft ladder that would be useless. On our first viewing we saw a much longer ladder in the shed and i have mentioned this to the EA; they will get back to us. I ask this of you ladies, because when we have sold property in the past we have made a ladder whenever possible, available!! As in "being in sales" ifyswim.

OP posts:
bubblewrapped · 05/02/2011 17:03

Blush we didnt even bother looking in our loft before we bought the house...

llbeanj · 05/02/2011 17:05

you can get sued if you give someone the wrong type of ladder - i've seen it on the tv!

Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 17:11

lbeanj - can see that being a concern, but we would undertake all that at our own risk. Conversely, what if we did some accidentile damage?

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Ladyofthehousespeaking · 05/02/2011 17:13

Maybe they're hiding something!

S&M dungeon???

southmum · 05/02/2011 17:17

yabu

it might be broke or not there anymore.

Arrange for your own ladder.

5Foot5 · 05/02/2011 17:17

A dungeon in a loft? Isn't that a bit of a contradiction?

Must admit it never occurred to us to look in the loft I wouldn't know what I was looking for. Wouldn't a surveyor do all that sort of thing?

BreconBeBuggered · 05/02/2011 17:22

Take your own stepladder next time, so there's no excuse for not using the one in the shed, but make sure the agent gives the vendors fair warning just in case they do indeed keep their stash of SM equipment up there. But don't do any walking about in case you go through the ceiling!

Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 17:27

5Foot5 - surveyors are not accountable for their reports! Would rather trust an experienced builder that has worked for us. To be honest, I am shocked that any one would consider buying a property without inspecting the roof as much as possible, as in "a roof over one's head".

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AlpinePony · 05/02/2011 17:43

YABU Oh FGS - how passive aggressive - you want the longer ladder - just ask for it! Hmm

Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 17:51

AlpinePony - read the OP, we have asked the EA about using the longer ladder, how funny of you! or obtuse? Look it up.

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beanlet · 05/02/2011 17:53

We had some buyers send a builder round to look in our loft, using our ladder. I insisted the estate agent ensure the builder had liability insurance first, otherwise there was NO WAY IN HELL I was going to let anyone not immediate family climb a ladder at the top of our steep stairs where they could very easily fall.

So actually, YABU IMO.

beanlet · 05/02/2011 17:55

very very U actually; I'm quite outraged that anyone would think it was OK unless fully insured.

NetworkGuy · 05/02/2011 17:57

Indeed, is definitely worth using a ladder and viewing loft, be sure there are no birds, wasps nests, water damage, or lack of fire wall between property and next (esp true of older properties).

YANBU, but in case there is no ladder there for a second visit, get a roof rack and if necessary buy a 10' ladder at a DIY store near the property - it will be something to take home (I know) but in the long run, DS2 will need one anyway unless decision is made to live in an apartment instead.

I can imagine the owner was just not thinking at the time when first asked, or knew it was full of clutter and has to be emptied for someone to get in and have a chance to actually inspect loft space rather than 20 years accumulated boxes, suitcases, etc.

Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 17:59

Or, to put it another way, we are proud of our loft and we would want to show it off. As it is an asset.

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AlpinePony · 05/02/2011 17:59

Does the EA own the property?

Seriously, this is a house for your child? Helicopter parent? Look it up. x

Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 18:04

Thank you NetworkGuy, some sensible feedback at last. I know that sounds strange as in it makes it seem that I want my point of view validated or else, but I'm more interested in other people's experience's.

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Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 18:07

alpinePony - I think a Helipad on the roof (even supposing it's sound) is out of our modest reach.

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NetworkGuy · 05/02/2011 18:07

Why would the EA own the property? If the EA is conducting the visiting party around in place of the house sellers, seems reasonable to ask EA.

"Helicopter parent" is really an unnecessary insult - would you not expect a parent to have some views on a property when it would be one of the more expensive and important purchases, and could be a hell hole ready to fritter away every last penny if it had structural or other defects. Sure, parents' views might be over-negative and could be ignored, but usually valid and worth having, I'd say.

Bogeyface · 05/02/2011 18:08

If you went up their ladder into their loft and hurt yourself you may be able to sue them. Not something I would want to risk as a seller!

Insist it is part of your survey yes, but I do think you are being U about seeing a ladder in the shed and expecting them to offer it! It might not be theirs, it might be broken...all sorts of possibilities!

Mouseface · 05/02/2011 18:16

The surveyor will check the loft space for all of the things required for the mortgage company anyway but I understand why you want to check it out before making that commitment.

Agree with NetworkGuy

To make life easier, just take your own ladder.

When we sold our house, we always offered viewers the chance to look in the loft, and in the Cupboard Of Doom, under the stairs! Grin

And when we bought our new place, we looked in the loft.

Just don't know what's up there do you?

MorticiaAddams · 05/02/2011 18:17

AlpinePony their child is buying their first house and wants the experience of parents who know what to look at and will be able to think of questions that perhaps don't get thought of until you live alone.

Of course you need to look in the loft and shouldn't take no for an answer. They can't expect you to spend £100,000 plus on something you haven't seen.

FudgeGirl · 05/02/2011 18:18

If your DC is buying the house, let your DC sort it out! If they are capable of buying a house they are capable of taking a pair of stepladders with them if they want to look in the loft.

Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 18:18

Bogeyface - we are not insisting, just suggesting at this stage, to clarify that is what has been suggusted and the EA will put it to vendor and get back. Reason for the tread is, we have always made available a ladder for inspection, as in, if you want to sell something, make it easy.
Also Bogeyface I'm not sure that applies, any lawyers on this thread, otherwise why bother doing anything other than ensuring your DC's become lawyers {grin]

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cocoachannel · 05/02/2011 18:20

Re. Helicopter parenting. I have very much valued my parents' and ILs' experience on the two occasions DH and I have purchased property. They asked questions and saw problems that we didn't see based on issues they have had with their own homes over the years. They also gave a less sentimental view on the properties we shortlisted. But ultimately our purchases were our decision. It sounds like Chatelaine is trying to fo the same.

Original poster
Chatelaine · 05/02/2011 18:24

MorticiaAddams - thanks for that/common sense.

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