Ethics in house selling

[hanahsaunt]

We had an offer accepted on a house. Spent ~£1600 on detailed survey, valuation, legal fees etc. House was valued at £0. Yes zero, no pounds, nothing. Multiple issues not visible to the naked eye - asbestos, subsidence around sewage pipes (blocked drains), stantions not holding up the roof, decayed roof fabric so wooden beams inside soaked etc. It was really quite something to read. We're the third purchasers to pull out in 2 years, before which time they had applied twice to demolish the house and rebuild 3/4 houses on the plot. Refused on multiple grounds.

So ... we actually let them have our suveyors report as it was so shocking ...

6 weeks on ... it's back on the market at the same price!!!! Just different agents. Clearly relying on someone buying without a detailed survey because cosmetically it looks fine on the surface.

Anything we can do?

There is an ombudsman for estate agents which/who may be able to help.

What I can't understand with this property though is that if the local agents know its an unsaleable wreck why are they taking it on? They surely only get their fee on sale... or is it their surveyor gaining the business?

I'm probably wrong - but I always believed that estate agents were legally obliged to inform buyers of any known problems with a property. There may be a get-out in that it might only be that they only have to reveal issues when asked!
i.e. If they were asked - 'Do you know of any structural issues with this property?'
If it's been on for a couple of years with different agents, then every agent in the area will know why it's not selling - they always keep detailed tabs on what's going on even when not directly instructed.
I would attempt to get some/all of your outgoings from the estate agent involved - they will have known the issues.
Typical of the slithery behaviour engaged in by many agents.