Potential problems prior to exchange of contracts

[Livelovebehappy]

Just looking for advice as not sure how we should be approaching this. We currently have a property purchase coming up to exchange of contracts. We are in rented currently. We had a valuation done as part of mortgage package, so not paid for, and obviously pretty basic which passed with no problem. We visited the property at the weekend to do measurements etc for curtains - property is empty and we met the estate agent outside property before going in. It was very heavy rain, winds etc, and when we entered, immediately saw a big pool of water in the middle of the conservatory floor which we have now obviously raised with the estate agent. Estate agent has been in touch with vendor who has said that there is a problem with water leaking in, but it’s due to the sealant on the outer conservatory door and nothing to do with the roof. We’ve had a call from the estate agents saying vendor now ‘sorted’ the issue. Now not sure how to approach this as not sure whether the vendor is being honest. Obviously if there is a big problem with the roof we don’t want to move into a property where we potentially have the big expense of replacing it. Would it be unreasonable of us to ask the estate agents if we can get a friend of ours who’s in the building industry to check the roof as exchange of contracts is looming? And what to do if there is a major problem when we are so near to exchange? Do we ask for money off the house price even though we have got it for £3k less, or ask vendor to fix?

I would get someone to check the conservatory - it might only need a small amount of maintenance but if it seems more then now would be the time to re-negotiate but it will delay the process.

Thanks. Feel partially responsible with not having had full house buying report done which would have flagged this, so really I was taking a risk everything would be okay, but would obviously have had to suck it up had we not called up the property and then issue had only become apparent after we moved in, but I can’t ‘unsee’ It now so feel I have to flag it. Obviously if only a bit of maintenance that’s fine and we would just take the hit for repair, but just worried it might be major.

Tbh I think you should have done a survey.

Sorry posted too soon. I'd be a bit pissed off if I was the seller that you were trying to change things at this late stage but equally you're right you can't under it!

If I was selling though and there had been a lot of interest I'd happily lose the sale and go for someone else. It would really irritate me that you didn't do a survey and then got a 'friend' in later.

Ffs sorry - equally I agree that you can't I see it

Unsee it

Definitely get someone to go and look at it - sell it that you believe the seller 'fixed' that leak, but want to make sure that everything else is okay with the roof and there are no other bits that you will need to get maintained/which may develop leaks.

If you are that close, the estate agents will be smelling their commission check so will probably do what they can to get the sale though. Go over and start throwing water over the roof if you need!

If there is work needed then you can look at a reduction or ask the seller to fix it or suck it up and deal with it yourself, but at least you know what you are letting yourself in for upfront.

Trouble is conservatory leaks are really hard to trace. Ours leaks in the middle of the room but the roof above it is sealed really well. Apparently leaks ‘travel ‘ in conservatory roofs and could come from pretty much anywhere.

If the vendor has fixed the problem, there should be no issue with getting the conservatory inspected by someone for a report. It's fine to just get one thing looked at in more detail. Agree that you can't unsee it and I think you'd regret it if you didn't take action now. Good luck!

Is there a reason you didn't have a survey on the property?
The valuation survey might not have even gone into the house, just a desktop exercise to compare prices.

Is there a reason you didn't have a survey on the property?
The valuation survey might not have even gone into the house, just a desktop exercise to compare prices.

I know. Absolutely kicking myself that we didn’t have a full survey tbh, but it’s a modern semi and we just decided to go with the survey offered free as part of the mortgage package. With hindsight not a good idea, and there may be potentially other stuff wrong with it once we move in, but as i said, it was a risk we took to reduce costs. It’s difficult because I’m getting really varied advice from family from ‘just go with it as you should have had full report, and get it fixed when you move in’ to ‘ get a report and if it’s going to cost then negotiate the price’. So I just wanted some more opinions on here. Thank you all.