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Original poster

Building surveyor damaged property

287 replies

Iamthedom · 22/01/2022 13:34

My buyers arranged for a building survey yesterday
I’ve just gone to the property to collect any mail and he’s done the following
Tried to remove a period tile and had broken it in half
Didn’t leave the tile anywhere
Ripped up laminate flooring under the bay window - obviously to check for damp but the flooring can’t be replaced
Removed a kicker and not replaced it
Ripped wallpaper of the bedroom wall to check a crack
Removed a floorboard didn’t put it back and left nails sticking up
No idea if he has done in
I’m furious and upset .Yes the house is old and is a dooer upper but it’s being sold as such

The period tile in the entrance hall can’t be replaced its been there since 1870s so can’t exactly get it from B & Q
What do I do
Im sending a email to my estate agent with photos and I have spoken to them and they were really shocked and said this should not have done this

OP posts:
Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 12:07

Well I’ve spoken to the buyers as they live local and I really wanted to get information direct from them
And they have assured me it’s a RICS surveyor and that they paid for a full structural building survey
It’s a well known company so I’m at a complete loss as to why a professional surveyor would do this

OP posts:
EmmaH2022 · 23/01/2022 12:16

@Iamthedom

Well I’ve spoken to the buyers as they live local and I really wanted to get information direct from them And they have assured me it’s a RICS surveyor and that they paid for a full structural building survey It’s a well known company so I’m at a complete loss as to why a professional surveyor would do this
Wow That is baffling
Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 12:22

@EmmaH2022
I know but it’s better than it being bob the builder 😂
At least I know who they are and they will
have insurance

OP posts:
Clymene · 23/01/2022 12:45

I don't think they're being honest OR the company is not operating within guidelines so I would report them to RICS tomorrow.

This is the relevant paragraph of RICS building surveying guidance when it comes to inspecting floors for example:

2.4.2 Floors
Surfaces of exposed floors are visually inspected and, where covered, the corners of loose carpets and other floor coverings are lifted where practicable and with the permission of the owner and/or occupier.
All floors are assessed for excessive deflection by a ‘heel-drop’ test and using a spirit level. Lightly fixed floorboards are removed where there is owner consent, this does not take too much time and it does not damage the property.

www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/upholding-professional-standards/sector-standards/building-surveying/building-survey-practice-note-1st-edition-rics.pdf

I'd go through that guide and list every single clause the 'inspection' has broken.

EmmaH2022 · 23/01/2022 12:51

I also wonder if they are telling the truth

If they are, I can only think the surveyor got facts in a muddle and thought they already owned the property.

Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 13:08

@Clymene
Thank you

OP posts:
jellybeanteaparty · 23/01/2022 13:20

Perhaps they removed the tile to match to a replacement one? You should have been informed it was a full structural survey and agreed what they can do.

Clymene · 23/01/2022 13:26

[quote Iamthedom]@Clymene
Thank you[/quote]
You're welcome. I've very cross on your behalf.

Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 13:28

@jellybeanteaparty
I was just told it was a survey in an email and when I spoke to my estate agents he said that the buyers wanted to know what needed to be done on the house

I doubt if they can replace the tile as as far as I’m aware Its from when the house was built in 1870
When the mortgage valuer went into the property the week to give the value thr estate agent told me he had mentioned how nice it was to see the original tiles
It’s not like you can get it from Tiles R Us 😂

I was not asked at any point if they could remove anything in order to check
If they had I would have arranged for myself or someone to be at the property

Even down to the fact that they took up floorboards and didn’t bother to put them back down pissed me off

OP posts:
Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 13:29

@Clymene
I think everyone seem to be cross
Rare that you get mostly everyone agreeing on a thread
I think although I’m happy that it’s a RICS surveyor I’m trying to get my head around WTF was he thinking 😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 13:34

Out of interest how long would you expect a full building survey to take
It’s a standard 2 bed Victorian Terrace with a garden
Completely empty no furniture carpets apart from on the stairs so absolutely nothing to prevent any one inspecting it throughly

4 year old Worcester gas boiler and radiators

OP posts:
WhereDoesThisToiletGo · 23/01/2022 14:02

Your buyers need to contact Wreck-it Ralph today and ask him where the tile is, before he bins it.
I suspect he thought they already owned the property

BFPDec21 · 23/01/2022 14:04

You need to complain to the EA and your solicitor. Make sure this damage is well noted by all parties in writing as the buyers may play dumb/disbelieve you and try and knock the price down. It's nice to keep it up your sleeve but not in this situation.

I'd also complain to the company directly if you have their details or can get them.

Could the EA have allowed anyone else access generally or at the same time? Perhaps the buyers have gone with and ripped up things to show the surveyor. It may be that these are things they'd change anyway but regardless, it's still not on as they could still pull out!

Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 14:18

I know that the surveyor was in the property for around 2hrs
I have a lovely neighbour who tells me everything 😂 and she saw him arrive and leave the property .
I wouldn’t have thought 2 hrs was enough time for a level 3 survey

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driftcompatible · 23/01/2022 14:18

My jaw dropped (comically so) looking at those pictures. That's absolutely reckless damage. I can't even fathom it. The buyers don't own this property yet! So someone has come into your house and caused damage and left like it's nothing.

The tiles are really sad. 1870 :(

positivevibesonly22 · 23/01/2022 15:02

It really is the tiles that are such a shame. With minimalistic and freshly decorated, new flooring and door I would 100% want to keep them as an original feature. I love things like that and can't believe people would rip them out 😯 it's a bit like 30's tiled fireplaces when people rip them out. With everything else around simply decorated they look lovely and retain the original details of the house.

sueelleker · 23/01/2022 15:13

Check how long the "surveyor" has been working for his firm; if he's new, he may have lied about his qualifications to them.

MrsTrumpton · 23/01/2022 15:21

Are the buyers sorry for what he did? Are they upset he's ruined the hallway? I'd be very interested to hear the instructions they gave him and whether they said they had permission from you for him to pull things up.

Wheresmywoolyjumpers · 23/01/2022 15:21

@lamthedom - even if it is about the principle rather than the cash, if they have damaged your property they should pay for it - since it is a sale, you probably wont need to take the money from them. But if anything happens with the sale, why should you be out of pocket? That was my point.

ChicCroissant · 23/01/2022 16:06

Regardless of who did the damage, I'd be holding the (potential) buyers responsible as they ordered it. I would get your solicitor to send a letter saying they will be responsible for the costs of repairing the damage if they do not buy the property. If they (the buyers) want to claim off the surveyor then they can, but I'd be putting them firmly in the frame now.

WinterDeWinter · 23/01/2022 16:35

I agree - the buyer is responsible. Hand it to them (especially 'where is the fucking tile?!) and tell them that you very much hope this would never happen but if the sale fails for any reason you will have to pursue them for the damage, you're sure they understand.

JSL52 · 23/01/2022 16:46

@Iamthedom

Well I’ve spoken to the buyers as they live local and I really wanted to get information direct from them And they have assured me it’s a RICS surveyor and that they paid for a full structural building survey It’s a well known company so I’m at a complete loss as to why a professional surveyor would do this
What did they say about the damage ?
Kshhuxnxk · 23/01/2022 16:59

@Iamthedom

He lifted one floorboard in the bedroom didn’t put it back

He ripped up laminate flooring in the front room under the bay window
I’ve attached a photo

Crikey given the state of the skirtings and the fact he was able to snap the laminate so easily I think you've got bigger issues on your hands - your house looks riddled with damp!
EmmaH2022 · 23/01/2022 17:02

Kshhuxnxk

I reckon you could snap the laminate in my flat easily, it's 20 year old cheap laminate, I think.

But that's not for OP to worry about anyway.

Original poster
Iamthedom · 23/01/2022 17:34

@Kshhuxnxk
There is damp in the bay window it’s easily identified and it wasn’t hidden
I think he ripped up the laminate to check if the floorboards underneath were damaged by the damp - they aren’t
But even so he had absolutely no right to do that -he didn’t have my permission

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