To expect vendor to allow structural engineer to investigate

[adriennewillfly]

So, I put an offer on a house which was accepted. At the time, the vendor claimed all the paperwork was in place for a loft extension, but it turned out they didn't after we had the conveyancers exchange paperwork. To proceed, we agreed to have a structural engineer investigate and we'd share the cost. The vendor have now decided they don't want to do that because of the disruption (of revealing the structure of the property), and told us to sod off.

I don't feel I'm being unreasonable, but the estate agent and vendor are claiming I am being silly, and have put the property back on the market.

Let them - the same issue will come up again and you will find something better.

You're not being unreasonable but they don't have to proceed with the sale unfortunately. I'd wonder what they're trying to hide!

You either dodged a bullet and they are now trying to find another dupe, or they are just being precious. Of course you weren't unreasonable.

Yes you would think the vendor would do this but they don't HAVE to do anything. It's their property and come do whatever they like.

Am I reading right that you only found out after exchange?
If so that's pretty shoddy on behalf of your conveyancer.

No - it was in the first round of paperwork. But I'd already had survey and valuation done.

YANBU. We recently lost a house because they refused to drop the price very slightly to cover a structural fault we discovered (and that they had hidden by omission). We let it go, they went back on the market. We're about to exchange on a nicer, cheaper property and had the satisfaction of telling the first sellers to sod off when they came back trying to renegotiate!

Stick to your guns!

Unfortunately there's nothing you can do about it. They are within their rights to withdraw from the sale at any time up to exchange, for any reason.