Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

Advice needed for house sale

60 replies

Movinbaby · 06/01/2021 20:57

Hi
We sold our house some months back and are still waiting to complete.

Our buyer had a survey and we have never been made aware of any issues. She is starting to request some things and I am not sure if they are right??

She wanted someone to come to measure up for carpets, despite us not having a completion date and during Covid. She then wanted and electrician to come to conduct a 4 hour check. I did agree but then we got put into Tier 4 lockdown and I was really worried about someone coming into our home when we are all working from Home at the moment. She also wanted me to pay for this.

Now she is saying that I told her we had a guarantee for our flat roof which is 5 years old. I was very honest with her and told her that I couldn't get a guarantee so I have never mislead anyone. She wants me to call around for quotes to have the roof replaced. She also keeps telling our estate agents that she may renegotiate the price she offered despite the fact that property prices have increased by 14% since we accepted her offer.

I don't know what to do or whether I am legally abliged to do as she wants. I am started to feel like she is trying it on so she can offer less.

Any advice is appreciated xx

OP posts:
mrsbyers · 07/01/2021 12:33

I would get a different estate agent round to value and consider removing it from sale and listing at a probably higher price

PicpoulDeMeNay · 07/01/2021 12:41

I had a survey done on the house I've now bought, and it did throw up some issues with the roof and electrics (amongst more minor things). I was transparent with the buyer (through the agent) and authorised release of a copy of the survey to the vendors, so they could see the issues that were deemed category 3 (need immediate attention). I was able to get estimates from tradespeople based on the comprehensive nature of the surveyors report in spelling out the issues.

We then negotiated a small allowance towards me getting the works done on completion (rather than a price reduction) that the solicitors dealt with. They were happy with this as they could see there were genuine issues, but I was still wanting to proceed (and had no chain).

BeepBoopBop · 07/01/2021 12:51

Let's be clear - a seller does not need to have an electrical survey done prior to selling their house. The purchaser can organise and pay for one, as well as a full structural, a damp survey, a flat roof survey - subject to the seller agreeing to put up with the inconvenience.

It appears the purchaser is trying to get a fuller survey done without paying for it. Why on earth would the seller spend money on various surveys so the purchaser can use them to renegotiate the price?

I had my electrical survey carried out after I bought my house. I knew work needed doing prior to buying and took into account. When the solicitor asked if I had had the electrics surveyed , I just ticked no. If they want them surveyed, they pay for it.

Email your agent and give them a clear ultimatum. You aren't engaging with the nonesense. Shit or get off the pot (as they say in Weybridge).

BeepBoopBop · 07/01/2021 12:53
  • the solicitors asked when I sold it after 10 years ownership.
MadeForThis · 07/01/2021 12:53

I would ask her to complete now or put it back on the market. This won't be the last request. A new roof is outrageous.

Original poster
Movinbaby · 07/01/2021 19:02

Thanks everyone for your advice.

I want you all to know I am not an unreasonable person and I understand her concerns.

I know its normal for her to want to check electrics even if no issues are on the survey. She wanted me to pay and I refused and booked the electrician in. However, things changed due to Covid and I was very anxious and didn't want to risk it. That's not to say I will refuse in future.

She wants me to get quotes for a full new roof. I can only presume because she will request that its done and will ask me to pay for it. I must be stupid but I don't know why she wants me to do this. Its actually our Solicitor that has passed this onto me.

She has been very patient and I appreciate this. We accepted her offer in August!!! We had made an offer on a property but it all fell through as they ended up with someone offering them cash. We continued our search which was a little crazy due to Covid but we found a house 3 months ago and had the offer accepted. Since then she has made some odd requests.

She had me measuring the size of our shed for some odd reason 🤔

Of course, we would hate to lose the house we have but the chain at that end is not moving on and they keep promising to break the chain but nothing so far. I am just tired of all the hassle she brings. I asked or EA to give her an ultimatum and I wanted to hear back today but I have heard nothing. Maybe I am best to get rid of her, reevaluate in a few months time when things are, hopefully, a bit better with the world.

And they say parenting is stressful 🙄

OP posts:
Original poster
Movinbaby · 07/01/2021 19:11

Sorry I got the date wrong. We accepted her offer in April!!! Didn't think it had been that long. It was in the midst of lockdown. She waited till we had an offer accepted on 18th September. Bloody hell. No wonder she is cranky 🤣

OP posts:
Original poster
Movinbaby · 07/01/2021 19:19

And this is exactly what I expected would be done. All surveys and searches have been done on this house and the one I am buying. If a survey comes back with issues that are important and that could end up costing, then you need to check those things. The buyer needs to.pay for this and I would expect them to come forward to renegotiate the house price if they are going to be out of pocket. Our buyer has not discussed anything of issue on her survey. In fact we were told it was all ok.

OP posts:
AlwaysCheddar · 07/01/2021 20:35

April??? Wtf! Put it back in the market now! This woman is having you over. Stop the nonsense and get a new buyer.

Panicwiththebisto · 08/01/2021 08:39

It’s time to shit and get off the pot!

nowishtofly · 08/01/2021 08:51

Definitely say this is taking too long, it's going back on the market.

Say that you are willing to proceed if she speeds up and sets an exchange date. You can explore indemnity insurance for the electrics.

If your roof is only 5 years old it shouldn't be causing problems and if it is, it's a patch up job rather than a new roof, so getting quotes for a new roof is madness,

AlwaysCheddar · 08/01/2021 10:27

You must realise she’s messing you around, and surely people have expressed surprise at your house sale, so why haven’t you done anything?

greenbattery · 08/01/2021 12:47

You're acting desperate. Never act desperate when you're selling something. The buyer knows it.
The longer they lead you on the more likely you're going to have to drop the price eventually. Get rid of them start again. If you don't I'd bet money they are probably stinging you along until something better comes on the market, effectively putting you on hold just in case.

Original poster
Movinbaby · 08/01/2021 13:16

I feel like A desperate Dan believe me. I can't ask her to set a date and use this as a kick up the arse because unless the other end of the chain do the same noone is going anywhere. She is not holding up the sale unfortunately. She is just giving me a major headache. I wonder if she knows about gazundering cause I would be surprised if if trys that at the last minute. I have still not heard from the estate agents after my ultimatum. Pulling out of the sale is a very tempting offer at the moment but obviously, I need to make sure this is want I want as I stand to lose the property I have had an offer accepted on and I love this house. You have all been so helpful and I am grateful to you all for your advice. I think I am going to take it off the market and tell her to stick it where the sun dont shine 😵❤

OP posts:
Dragongirl10 · 08/01/2021 13:51

Op just saw your update, as you don't want to lose your sale and it has gone fairly far now, how about writing a sharp email to the EA reminding them that they work for YOU not the buyer, and they need to have your interests at heart.
Second write an email for your solicitor to forward to your buyer,clearly stating what you and DH/DP are willing to do/not do and stating that no more requests will be acceptable until after exchange, and any possible renegotiation of price will be refused. Ask her to confirm in writing she is still happy to go ahead under those terms.

Original poster
Movinbaby · 08/01/2021 15:59

Great idea Dragongirl10 xx

OP posts:
AlwaysCheddar · 16/01/2021 09:54

Any good news on the house sale?

Sunflowergirl1 · 19/01/2021 08:15

@Movinbaby
"My estate agent warned me that we could lose our buyer which she has said a few times. She seems to be working more for her than us. "

They work for themselves and getting commission...the outcome is them pandering as you have found to the buyers demands.

I agree as well with @Dragongirl10 and in addition write to the EA and advise you are considering taking the property off the market and re marketing in a few months with a different agent if things are not resolved. If they think you mean it (and do) I suspect they will start speaking more sternly to the buyer.

Sadly though these types of buyers are the ones that demand huge price reductions the day before exchange of contracts and knacker the whole chain

Original poster
Movinbaby · 26/01/2021 17:47

Hi everyone

Well things were going well until........

So the buyer wants money off 14k to be exact and she sent a loonnggg email saying the survey said the roof looked like a cheap job and she wanted an electrician to come and do a EICR check. So we got the roof checked and paid £100 for the privilege. The report comes back and the roof is great, no problems there. YES!!!
Next the electrician sends his report to us and our buyer (she paid for this). Its passed 😁😁. A couple of notes which are the consumer unit only has 1 switch which is fine and safe but regulations have changed and now they have 2 switches (cost approx £400). Due to the age of the property, upstairs has no earth but this is not dangerous and he wouldn't recommend re-earthing due to it being a flat roof. He advised that its all safe.

Result I hear you cry. NO😡. She wants to think about it and contact after the weekend. We wait all weekend and Monday and we get a call from our EA at 4.45pm today. She hasn't been answering our calls but has just sent an email. She thanks us for the reports. She would like to renegotiate. She wants €8k off. That's less than it was marketed at. The EA advised she hasn't listed a costings or given a why? Just as the EA was talking, she had called the office and was on the other line. The EA ended the call with us to deal with her so another night of upset in our house.

I will see what comes back from that and if its the same we will put the house back on the market. Its all so distressing and I am struggling to cope at the moment.

OP posts:
RedHelenB · 26/01/2021 17:57

Just put the house back on the market. She's messing you around. Take control.

candide47 · 26/01/2021 17:59

I would instruct you estate agent to put it back on the market right now. She can always reconsider and complete. In the meantime you might get another interested buyer.

IndecentFeminist · 26/01/2021 18:04

She was bloody patient to begin with, waiting 6 months until you found somewhere! but is now being a pain in the arse. She's asked to lower price, you're well within your rights to say no. Either she stick to the price or you relist.

ammary · 26/01/2021 18:19

Moving house is a big enough nightmare at the best of times but with all this shit no wonder you are tearing your hair out.

I've just moved and it nearly finished me off and we had none of this. We were the ones getting money knocked off - leaking roof and damp and the buyers obviously anticipated that and agreed right away. Same as we knocked some off ours for a couple of patches of damp - I was expecting it.

In your case you need to have a long think about how much you want to move and want the new house. If you really love it and would be gutted to lose it then you may have to haggle with your buyer. Say £3k or you walk or whatever figure you think. If you can afford to. If not, tell her no and walk away if she won't budge.

She's massively taking the piss but after so long, are you cutting off your nose?

Original poster
Movinbaby · 26/01/2021 18:21

She was very patient but Covid happened and we lost another house all due to no fault of our own. The electrician said something odd when he was at our house. He said "I will send her the report and she will speak to the person advising her" We have wondered if she isn't making her own decisions. She has picked a bad time to renegotiate. She had has the survey back for months. Why now when completion is round the corner.

OP posts:
Strongswans · 26/01/2021 18:23

Enough enough, I would ring the ea back tonight and tell them to put it back on the market immediately.

Swipe left for the next trending thread