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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to have reduced my offer?

166 replies

Ididthattoo · 04/03/2016 12:08

My husband and I have been looking for a house for a very long time. We found one nice house and we made an offer on it (which was accepted).

However, we found out that there is a small electricity substation behind the garden fence and there might be knotweed too. The area behind the garden is a green footpath that leads to a small park.

We had the emf emissions measured from the substation and they are normal. However, the surveyor said that it might affects saleability.

I am very anxious and haven't slept because of these issues. My husband says there are risks everywhere and we should just go ahead.

So, I have decided to offer about 7% less than what we originally offered in order to take into account of the increased risk. I would have just pulled out but the house is really nice and we are tired of looking.

What is your opinion on this? Am I being unreasonable? Am I mad in seeing risks everywhere or do you think there is a real problem?

I would really appreciate your views, I don't know what to think any more.

Thanks.

OP posts:
BorisIsBack · 04/03/2016 12:11

well you can always offer less, they don't have to accept it. Depending on the market Id be inclined if I were them not to accept and put the house back on the market. Your risk. You'll annoy the vendors for sure.

StillDrSethHazlittMD · 04/03/2016 12:14

I think you are being unreasonable to some extent.

It is your responsibility when making your original offer to take into account the location and anything immediately in close proximity to the property that is readily ascertainable - noise from a park over the fence, an electricity substation next door, footpaths running alongside. It takes a couple of minutes to check these out before you make an offer.

Reducing an original offer should only come into play when you find things out in a survey that you couldn't have known before.

LurkingHusband · 04/03/2016 12:15

We had the emf emissions measured from the substation and they are normal

Out of nosiness, what were they ?

PommelandCantle · 04/03/2016 12:17

How long has it been on the market for? Are you not planning for it to be a long term home? Is saleability a huge criteria for you? If you like it and aren't bothered about sub station and plan to live there for years, then it doesn't matter really about its current saleability. Equally, don't just buy a house because you are fed up of looking. Sods law, one will come up that is perfect the week after you move in.

Collaborate · 04/03/2016 12:21

YANBU. That's what surveys are for - to flag up something that may not have been obvious.

As there might be knotweed I'd run a mile, to be honest. Get a full expert report on that.

Original poster
Ididthattoo · 04/03/2016 12:21

Thanks all please keep all opinions coming. House has been on the market for a very short time, so they might as well reject. I know I will annoy them I would have preferred to just pull out but I also need to take into account my husband's wishes and he wants to move (we have really been looking for a long time).

And to the poster who said I should have spotted it before, you are totally right. I just didn't know that it had health/saleability implications.

Will give the readings later on today for lurkinghusband.

I plan to live there a long time but I also want a liquid property rather than one that puts people off. And I need to have the financial firepower to be able to reduce the price if I need to sell.

OP posts:
DesertOrDessert · 04/03/2016 12:22

I think reducing the offer due to the substation is a bit mean. Unless it's very well hidden, why didn't you see it before survey? They are usually quite hard to miss!! If it is really well hidden, a small reduction is possible.

The foot path was obvious. No reduction for that one.

Knotweed. Yes, get a valuation for removal. THAT is the amount (plus a bit for hassle) to reduce the offer by.

Original poster
Ididthattoo · 04/03/2016 12:23

Desert, the knotweed might be on the footpath which is owned by the council so it is a higher risk than just having it on my property (where I can deal with it). Have you ever tried to get a council to do something?

I can be an absolute pain and call them every day, even then it will take years to sort. I am happy to fight the council if I get a reduction but not if I pay full asking price.

OP posts:
QuiteLikely5 · 04/03/2016 12:24

Knotweed? Doubt it or your bank wouldn't even give you a mortgage!!

No way would I live with one of those behind my fence!!!

Your dh really needs to take your feelings into account, forget about a discount I just wouldn't live there

Original poster
Ididthattoo · 04/03/2016 12:25

Quitelikely as I said the knotweed is on the footpath (a long one) and it might be at some distance from the house. I don't know yet I am waiting for a reply from the council.

But thanks for what you said, I feel he doesn't really take my feelings into account on this one although I admit I am quite fussy when it comes to houses

OP posts:
ceebie · 04/03/2016 12:35

I report knotweed whenever I see it, the councils are usually very keen to get rid of it. Sometimes they don't reply but then next time I go past I notice they have started treatment.

However I would worry that it could have spread to other private properties that are not treating it. For that reason, I think i would seek an expert's view, and advice the seller that you are still intersted but want to investigate these issues furhter.

NoSquirrels · 04/03/2016 12:36

Is it that there definitely IS knotweed on the path, or just that the survey mentioned there MIGHT be knotweed? That will affect the answers.

The substation - we have one adjacent, I missed it on looking round, mea culpa. The solicitor/surveyor were obliged to point out that it COULD affect saleability, but we decided it was a very small point. For every person who MAY be put off in the future when we sell, there will be more like us who are not bothered. Also, a great deal of properties are close to substations, it's not really a big risk imo.

I wouldn't reduce for the substation. I would consider pulling out dependent on the knotweed, which really could become a big problem and affect future saleability if it enters your property and becomes your issue to deal with.

Mappcat · 04/03/2016 12:36

Would defo get a full understanding of the knotweed situation. My understanding (having to deal with a neighbour who is actively growing it in his garden and it is coming into ours) is that there is bugger all you can do about it if it is on private land. Lots of rules and regulations re: public land, but trying to get someone to take responsibility is an arse ache. Best of luck.

specialsubject · 04/03/2016 12:36

the knotweed is the issue. The footpath may mean noise, litter chucked over etc. Or not.

if this is the UK, the substation will be built to strict standards. You are getting more emf from the device you are using to access mumsnet, the wi-fi and the electrical cables in your house. And none are producing very much.

look on sense about science for the sense about this.

TrinityForce · 04/03/2016 12:37

What's the deal with knotweed? I'm completely ignorant of it, is it just that it spreads?

Sorry to offer no help OP, just interested in the knotweed!

ceebie · 04/03/2016 12:40

From a webiste:

Japanese Knotweed is one of Britain’s most invasive plants and the prevention of its spread is a legal obligation for landowners under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is difficult and expensive to manage but non-intervention is not really an option. Early treatment of a new colony is quicker, cheaper and preferable to leaving it to become established.

Magicpaintbrush · 04/03/2016 12:40

Knotweed can cost thousands to get rid of - and it is very difficult to make sure it doesn't come back. I wouldn't touch a house which had knotweed, you could be in for years of aggravation and expense.

Original poster
Ididthattoo · 04/03/2016 12:41

A council document mentioned that there is knotweed on this section of the footpath. I don't know where exactly I could not see it (I looked for it but it is difficult to see especially in winter).

I really dread dealing with the council, they are soooo slow. Even an obvious problem would take years to solve.

OP posts:
WutheringTights · 04/03/2016 12:42

I think you can be prosecuted for failing to get rid of knotweed in your garden. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/greenpolitics/11185356/Homeowners-who-fail-to-control-Japanese-knotweed-face-criminal-prosecution-under-new-anti-social-behaviour-laws.html

Magicpaintbrush · 04/03/2016 12:43

Mappcat - your neighbour is deliberately growing knotweed??? That is madness. Give it a year or two and it will be like the Day of the Triffids over there.

ceebie · 04/03/2016 12:43

Also:

Japanese Knotweed has to be treated as ‘controlled waste’. Do not remove Japanese Knotweed material from the site unless you have made a prior arrangement with a licensed landfill site for deep burial. Treatment on site is the preferred option.

babyboyHarrison · 04/03/2016 12:47

Knotweed can grow through concrete so need to make sure its nowhere near your house and foundations. It is very difficult to get rid of and can spread long distance underground.

CalleighDoodle · 04/03/2016 12:49

Honestly, id withdraw the offer. I dont think youll be happy there so youll end up movinf again at more cost.

kirinm · 04/03/2016 12:50

I wouldn't touch a knotweed house and certainly not without some agreement / indemnity in place for its removal and treatment. Tbh I'd be concerned that a lender wouldn't want to lend.

Grilledaubergines · 04/03/2016 12:52

Oh god, pull out. Knotweed will be a nightmare.

Aside from that, no you're not unreasonable to adjust an offer. Until contracts are exchanged nothing is binding and you can offer what you like and see whether they accept.

But not with the knotweed!