Questions to ask vendor?

[TheMouseRanUpTheClock]

When inviewed the house the offer has been accepted on, the agents showed us around. I have asked to meet the vendors when I go back as I need to check some things and do some measuring etc. I want to ask about neighbours and ins and outs of the workings of the house.

So what do I need to know?

Where is stopcock for water?

How does heating and water work?

Who are the neighbours, what are they like?

Anything else?

I would probably leave things like where is the stopcock and how does stuff work for after exchange.

I'd use this visit more for checking out things that might be expensive or even deal breakers. So yes questions about the neighbours. Also stuff like

• if there are any extensions/structural work, did they do this work, how long ago etc
• I'd check the water pressure/loo flushes/radiators at this visit if you didn't before (might be easier with an agent actually!)
• when was the boiler installed, any heating problems?
• I'd ask about any flooding, rot, damp, subsidence issues. (Sellers questionnaire will cover some of these but not all)
• local crime issues
• any planning applications nearby (again, questionnaire asks this but )
• ask about local schools

Thank you, that is very useful.

Is there an alarm and is it maintained/contracted.
Does the property have a water meter and how much does it cost pa
Idea of current utility and Council Tax costs
Can you use the hot water independent of heating, is there an immersion tank and is the loft and/or cavity wall insulated.
Do any neighbours have a spare key currently and how many copies will they leave ?
What fixtures, fittings and curtains will be left or taken

have you established why they're moving???
(anything wrong with house/neighbours/too small for them/no storage/garden too small etc?)

They are moving due to a split, I didn't ask or suck info by leading questions it was volunteered, and actually the EA very much overstated IMHO.

They own very little possessions.

'have you established why they're moving???'

Are people really rude enough to ask that? Why is it anyone's business why someone is selling?

Surly everyone asks " why are you moving ?
We are selling , and eveyone asked us this .
I would want to know what s being left, and which is bin day ?

surely

maybe a little obvious - but do drive past at different times of day/eve - we discovered on the day we moved in that our neighbour runs his car mechanic business outside the front of his house, right next to our kitchen. Vans drawing up all day long, lots of banging, people loitering around outside...

Honestly, we must have had our eyes closed when viewing - but I think we saw the house at specific times when vendors knew he would not be working! Vendors told he was 'retired with a heart of gold', so you may also want to treat info given with pinch of salt.

Would certainly have been a deal breaker. Amazing what you get used to tho and I am actually quite fond of him now - does have heart of gold! might as well look on bright side

And yes, for heavens sake leave all the practical stuff till after exchange.

We are selling and everyone has asked why are we moving. I've also asked at houses we are viewing but discovered if I asked 'how long have you been here?' the information was usually volunteered

I think at this stage, as others have said, it's identifying deal breakers and getting an idea of what will be left and stuff like council tax then pick up practicalities after exchange

By the by - sellers will lie. We recently bought and have found tons of issues which the seller must have known about, the bloody cow, but did not disclose or lied about when asked. Take everything they tell you with a truckload pinch of salt.

If the seller lies, you can go to court for damages, if the information would have reduced the value of the house. May be useful to have the agent there as a witness and document any 'deal breaker' questions to support any future claims.