Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Property/DIY

Join our Property forum for renovation, DIY, and house selling advice.

Original poster

Can I ask the buyers surveyor if they found any issues?

50 replies

Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 09:08

Very on edge as it's happening now and he's already pointed out issues. Obviously he doesn't work for me but stressed enough with the whole move and would rather know today if there's a big issue.

OP posts:
Blobby10 · 09/08/2019 09:20

I asked my buyers surveyor - he said he couldn't tell me exactly but there was nothing to worry about. I found it very invasive as he went through opening all the drawers and cupboards. Wish I hadn't been there tbh. Of course, he opened the one drawer out of 10 that has started sticking!!

However he did say at the end there was nothing untoward and that any issues were minor and to be expected in a house of this age.

Just ask, they will say if they can't tell you Smile

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 09:30

runs off to hide sex toy draw

OP posts:
CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt · 09/08/2019 10:12

If I was buying your house and had paid for the survey, I'd be annoyed if the surveyor told you everything before I found out!

I'm sure you will hear soon enough if there's anything to worry about. But you'd probably know aready?

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 10:16

Why would you be annoyed? I'm just wanting to know if it's anything serious.

If I was the buyer I would want the seller to be as informed as possible as it affects them.

OP posts:
GoGoPowerRangers · 09/08/2019 10:34

I've just paid £600 for a survey. I'd be pretty annoyed if they'd relayed any information back to you. It's not for your benefit.

A quick 'yeah everything's fine' is ok but I'd be pissed off if they discussed any actual issues with you.
Pay for your own bloody survey if you're concerned.

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 11:09

Wow. I had no idea people would be pissed off Shock

OP posts:
CoolcoolcoolcoolcoolNoDoubt · 09/08/2019 11:18

I think it's because it costs a lot of money?

And also in terms of bargaining if something does come up, they don't really have much power if you know as much as they do about how bad (or not) things are do they?

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 11:21

But in terms of bargaining it won't be a confidential document so shouldn't we both know as much?

Obviously they get a full detailed report, I just want to know if anything major has been found. They just pay for it as it's their benefit

OP posts:
iknowimcoming · 09/08/2019 11:26

I'd go with a cheery 'everything ok, nothing I should be concerned about?" When he's leaving - they're used to it and there's nothing to gain by them withholding pertinent information from you, they obviously won't go into detail as that's for the buyer but no harm in asking imo!

hanahsaunt · 09/08/2019 11:37

I have to confess to (still) finding the English system bizarre. At home the buyer paid for the survey and everyone had access to it prior to offering so that it was a level playing field and the buyer has the opportunity to fix glitches. The survey is good for 3 months (?) and then needs redoing (or at least that was how it worked a few years ago).

One of the houses on which we offered in England and then had the survey (in that bizarre, topsy turvey way) was so awful that we didn't reduce our offer, we pulled out and gave them the survey to show them just how bad their house was. It sold eventually several years later for £200k less.

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 12:16

The English system is weird, or the English mentality more like. It's not anything confidential, I get it's a bargaining thing but that doesn't work unless you say what the issues are.

He must be finishing soon, I will ask

OP posts:
Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 12:17

Well I hope mine doesn't go for 200k less, then it'll be the same price as a standard new car 😂

OP posts:
Pipandmum · 09/08/2019 12:25

I vaguely recall a buyer saying he wanted X off for certain issues. I asked to see the report as I wasn’t convinced, and he said I’d have to pay him for it! I said in that case nothing off agreed dale price. Can’t even remember if he proceeded but believe he did.
In the US the buyer goes around with the inspector and they are much more thorough (measuring the heat from the radiators, turning on any appliances included etc).

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 09/08/2019 12:33

I'd ask before he left. Buyer is unlikely to know you have, and you might as well save yourself the worrying if you can! Especially as it's Friday.

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 13:44

I wish I hadn't of asked 😂 he said "oh yes, there's lots I need to inform my client about" then I asked if they were bad and he said they were all fixable. Well that doesn't mean anything! Fixable by demolishing the house and rebuilding?!

OP posts:
hanahsaunt · 09/08/2019 14:04

@Whaleghost given that the survey valued it at £0, getting £200k less was a result for the sellers.

Cohle · 09/08/2019 14:14

I think it's a bit of a cheek to ask really. The buyer is the paying client, and it's up to them how they use the information to bargain.

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 14:20

Oh ha did it!? I guess it was just valuing the house and not the land. Well it's lowered my expectations of the worst case scenario.

Well I don't think it's cheeky, I gave up my time for half an hour to chat to him, and half a day to poke around my house. It's not confidential information and they need to be transparent with it to bargain!

OP posts:
Cohle · 09/08/2019 14:36

If you're so confident that it's a fine thing to do why are you asking here? Confused

You're asking the surveyor to do something unethical and contrary to his/her professional conduct rules.

"^A seller doesn’t have any right to see a copy of reports unless the buyer chooses to disclose them and the surveyor/valuer must not discuss the report’s actual or likely contents with the seller without the buyer's knowledge and consent.

If this was to happen it could be in breach not of the contractual duties to the client but also the RICS Rules of Conduct.^"

www.ricsfirms.com/glossary/disagreeing-with-a-prospective-buyers-survey/

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 14:40

I wasn't sure, but some posters are a bit ott acting as if it's private and confidential information.

I wasn't demanding to see a copy or ask what it contains, just if there was anything major. As a PP said I'm sure they are used to it.

OP posts:
Cohle · 09/08/2019 14:43

but some posters are a bit ott acting as if it's private and confidential information

Because it is!

Longqueue · 09/08/2019 14:48

I think I just casually asked if there was anything I needed to worry about and he said that they were well built houses and he hadn’t found any nasty surprises, just the usual things with the age of the house. Very light, nothing specific.

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 14:49

Not really, the buyer will be disclosing it all if they want to change their offer. I think it's an English thing, other countries seem to take a better approach.

OP posts:
Longqueue · 09/08/2019 14:50

Similarly, my vendors allowed me to have a private conversation with my surveyor inside the house. At the end of that I relayed the key points - that the house was structurally fine but there were some things that would need to be fixed by us. They were relieved to know. And we did go back to discuss after the report though we didn’t ask for money off because we were already under asking price

Original poster
Whaleghost · 09/08/2019 14:51

Thanks Longqueue that's kinda what I asked, he seemed pretty used to it

OP posts: