How much do you have to tell your buyer ?

[Gamble66]

Selling/buying house - how much do you have to tell your buyer legally ? Anyone sued after the sale ? Something has come to light that is worrying me but I have found out through confidential documents so can't actually raise it.

Are you the buyer or seller and what have you found out? And by confidential documents.... Have you been looking at things you shouldn't?

Far too vague, OP!

What is the point posting something so incredibly vague?

How is anybody supposed to answer that with such little information OP?

What are confidential documents relating to a house sale, and how have you managed to see them?

Do you mean a nightmare neighbour?

My daughter is currently buying her first home, she will effectively be in debt for the next 35 years as she is on minimum wage. Why should profit over rule what’s right and what’s ethical, and put her in even more debt trying to resolve issues because a seller hasn’t been honest. Who could afford to sue after a sale? Or are you adopting the buyer beware approach. Even after due dilligence things can go wrong, but surely you have duty of care.

If it’s a neighbour dispute, it has to be declared on the forms.

If it’s something like subsidence, I should think the seller would be liable if it was discovered after the sale. I should also imagine that any solicitor and/or agent worth their salt, would find out things like that.

Confidential documents pertaining to the sale of a house, surely must be disclosed to a potential buyer, if they materially affect the sale.

Perhaps discuss it with a solicitor/conveyencer?

Personally I think you should, to the best of your ability, answer all questions asked honestly. I suppose if it's something not routinely asked about it may be trickier.

It depends on the issue I would think and if the issue was known and concealed prior to sale or if it’s just come to light. I suppose if you have seen confidential documentation then the sellers knew and didn’t disclose it

Sorry to be so vague - It is a neighborhood dispute and the documents related to a vunerable person who is a client so I cannot discuss with anyone even my partner. I am the buyer.

Ooh. That's complicated.

Can you disclose it to your solicitor and ask their advice? As they'd be bound by professional confidentiality too? Or would that still be a breach on your part?

If it's a neighbour dispute they have to tell you I think. And if they don't then I think you would have recourse.

@WeeDangerousSpike I think it could be a breech. Going to chat to my manager I think and ask for advice. The problem is it's only hints and may still not be ongoing so if I pull out could loose ideal house plus fees but if I ask any pointed questions I could be in professional trouble and at worse while not endangering anyone as such, it could have ramifications for my client.