What to do when you've made an offer on a house, but then discover 'problems'?

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Can anyone offer me any advice?

One of my family has made an offer on a flat, which has now been accepted, and it's all progressing OK, but after visiting recently to check electricals, has discovered that there are some electrical faults (causing short-circuiting) and an electric towel rail which has exposed live wiring and also that the top microwave part of the cooker does not work.

He still wants to go ahead, but obviously feels that either these things should be repaired before exchange/completion or that he should reduce his offer to cover the cost of repair/replacement.

What's the process of going about negotiating this though?
Is it a discussion with the Estate Agent first? Or between soicitors, or what?

He wants to keep it all amicable, as doesnt want to risk losing the flat over this (may only be about £500)

If it's going to cost that little to sort out, why say anything? I think you've always got to expect to do some work on a property (unless it's brand new), whether it's repairs or decorating. Maybe he could ask that any thing dangerous is sorted out beforehand and see what the response is - I think you would go through solicitors at this stage but may be wrong.

The first thing I would do is ask if it is OK for an electrician to come round and give the place the one over and to get a quote for work that need doing (this will obviously come out of his own pocket).

Then if the quote really is as low as £500 I would say nothing and just get on with it, but if the quote comes out any higher then have a word with the esate agent to see what they think.

He needs to speak to the Estate Agent and they will negotiate for him (know this, as I used to be one in a former life!).

They are fairly minor points though, and the microwave and towel rail would be classed as "fixtures and fittings" which are not part of the fabric of the property and as KTeePee says, it may not be worth saying anything.

depends how the local market is - if it wd put the seller off, wdn't bother with anything yet. if in a strong buying position then wd negotiate with the estate agent to get the £500 taken off asking price (or at a push for it to be split 50/50)

I think it's just that it wasn't obvious at the time of the offer - the power wasn't working and things couldn't be tried. Also the cooker is included in the particulars.
I agree you expect to do stuff to a house after moving in, but this isn't really decorating, it's more fundamental.

Also, one issue is that he won't have a lot of cash after the move...

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