Survey issues - who pays

[Strawberryshortcake40]

Specialist survey done on house hoping to buy has shown up £3k min of work that needs doing (damp). Do I now go back and lower my offer to allow for this? Ask them to do the work? The buyer before me pulled out, I expect for this same reason so I can't see anybody buying it without it being done.

In an ideal world I would like it done before moving in (spraying, replastering etc) and house is currently empty. But where would I stand if I funded the work and they then pulled out before exchange?

You are unlikely to be allowed to do anything between exchange and completion. No sensible seller will allow you carry out significant work before completion.

So factor that into any decision. I do think you haven't given enough info to say who should pay - was your offer at asking price? What are sold comparables? How much is £3k as a % of the purchase price? It all comes down to negotiation. If they say absolutely not, are you willing to walk away? Do they want to risk losing the sale?