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Original poster

Buyer wants our old survey - yes or no?

50 replies

kworth · 15/10/2020 21:29

Hi all,

Long time reader, first time poster here!

We are selling our house after only living here for 18 months (not moving because of any fault in the house, just need to relocate). Our buyer can't get a survey done any sooner than around 8wks time and has asked, because we only had one done last year when we bought it, if they could see ours instead to save the delay?

I'm not sure whether to agree or not! I can see some pros - nothing surprising going to be highlighted by a different surveyor (so unlikely to see price renegotiated etc), not having to get everything perfect for surveyor looking etc. But there are also negatives - our survey highlighted quite a few things to fix and even though we've done most of them, would it be an alarming first impression for our buyer?, is it wise for them to know previous problems etc, might a new surveyor be less overzealous than ours was and include less anyway, and so on... I also have half a thought that by not paying for their own survey, is it showing less commitment and they'd back out easier?

What would you do? There's also been no talk of them giving us money for it and I don't know whether we would ask or not! All thoughts welcome :-)

OP posts:
Changethetoner · 15/10/2020 21:33

I'd say no. Because of the negatives highlighted in it, even though you have addressed most of them. And because it is cheeky of them to ask, and you paid for it. They asked which is fair enough, but you are perfectly entitled to say no.

pinkgreenblue · 15/10/2020 21:36

Nope definitely not, regardless of what it says. You paid for that, it’s yours. Also there’s no guarantee that the property is in the same condition as when you had the survey done. Most surveys have some small print saying that they can’t be passed on or replicated in any way.

sleepyhead · 15/10/2020 21:36

I would - annotate it, or attach an update that details what you've fixed and what you've not got round to.

Speeds everything up surely?

Letmegetthisrightasawoman · 15/10/2020 21:36

Disclaimer: we're first-time buyers so no selling experience.

I wouldn't do it. I'd be worried that it could cause all kinds of issues for you if the sale goes ahead and it turns out there are problems that a new survey would have picked up. Also, very cheeky not to offer money for it - do they not realise surveys cost hundreds of pounds? I also agree that it shows a lack of commitment. Unless they're cash buyers, 8 weeks is hardly going to delay things much, we had to wait 6 weeks to get a mortgage appointment this summer. Have you accepted their offer?

IAintentDead · 15/10/2020 21:37

If there is nothing in the report that you have hidden or is unusual for a property of that age then I think it makes sense to let them have it.

If there is anything that is going to put them off, better finding out now than 2/3 months down the line (8 weeks to survey, 1 week for them to get it maybe another month before the solicitor then say 'NO' or 'This needs to to done'.

Yep, their surveyor might not pick things up but they might - or they might even pick something different up.

Your call, but I can't see a downside.

sleepyhead · 15/10/2020 21:37

Hmm, two nos. Maybe I'm coming at it from a different angle - in Scotland we usually just have the Home Report, paid for by the seller and anyone can see it.

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 15/10/2020 21:40

The only way I'd do it would be if they offered half the cost (they will have to pay for some sort of survey on top if they're taking a mortgage) and if I annotated it with what work I'd had done and at what price.

Then I'd omit the valuation. It's your survey, none of their business how much you paid in relation to the survey.

IHaveAGreyLamp · 15/10/2020 21:42

Usually a bank requests a survey before they will agree to a mortgage so it’s possible his lenders won’t agree to this because it’s not an up-to-date survey

LyingDogsLie1 · 15/10/2020 21:42

If you say no it will just make them suspicious as to why, their speculation will probably be worse than the reality. I think it’s a little obstructive. It is what it is. Why did you tell them you had a survey?

IAintentDead · 15/10/2020 21:43

I did, way back in '95 and it was fine for me.

If they need a mortgage though then I wouldn't as the mortgage company will want a survey done anyway - so no need to add yours which you know shows some issues.

I certainly wouldn't sell it to them as that may give you some legal responsibility if other things come to light later. If they just have it under the 'this is what we had done for info' banner the they can have no come back

LyingDogsLie1 · 15/10/2020 21:43

@IHaveAGreyLamp

Usually a bank requests a survey before they will agree to a mortgage so it’s possible his lenders won’t agree to this because it’s not an up-to-date survey
Banks have a valuation, there are different levels of survey and the “survey” the bank instructs is for their benefit. It is pretty limited.

Homebuyers is a step above, a full structural survey the top tier.

LyingDogsLie1 · 15/10/2020 21:46

Then I'd omit the valuation. It's your survey, none of their business how much you paid in relation to the survey.

The price OP paid will be recorded on the office copies (the title register) and so the buyers will be privy to it anyway.

MyGazeboisLeaking · 15/10/2020 21:50

I can see why they might want to use it as a guide, and it's up to you to balance if it will help the sale or not.

But I think the buyers would be crazy - there is no legal protection for them with your survey.
Your survey is a contact between the surveyors and yourselves - the new buyers would be foolish to rely on it.

If you instruct a survey to be done, and it turns out, for example, your house is built on a mine shaft or has asbestos throughout - and the surveyor did not flag it - you have legal recourse. But not, of course, if you didn't instruct the survey and you have no contract with the surveyor.

TiddyTid · 15/10/2020 21:50

Their lenders won't agree to it, if it's the mortgage they're waiting on.

NW2SW · 15/10/2020 21:52

We did this, as we sold within 3 years of buying. Didn't particularly want to share it but they kind of had us in a corner, once they knew we'd bought one. We added supporting docs of any work we'd had done.

It did flag a few things to the buyer, but instead of a survey they got a specialist out to assess, which was quicker. Buyer was happy and the sale went ahead in under 3 months

Original poster
kworth · 15/10/2020 21:52

Thanks everyone! Just to clarify, it's a building survey (no valuation included). So they would still need the valuation survey if required by their lender - or the lender may do it themselves (as ours does).

OP posts:
Cookiedough123 · 15/10/2020 22:09

We had a full building (structural) survey done 3 and a half years ago. We are due to complete this week. The buyers were going to have their own survey done but like you said there was a big wait. They asked for ours, as we are happy with the house we agreed. We live in a 300 year old cottage so there was issues but most of them required further investigation which we didn't get round to doing but they were still happy as they understood a 300 year old cottage will have some damp and that moles in the garden 3 years ago dont matter! I hadn't even considered thinking of asking them to pay towards it as if it pushes the sale through quicker than we are saving over £2.5k by selling quicker rather than waiting. We paid 1k for it but gave it to them for free.

Mumsnorthernmonkey · 15/10/2020 22:12

Nope and they can get a survey done quicker

lulupopss · 15/10/2020 22:24

They might be doing this to save money op. Our buyers managed to get a survey in 1 week so 8 weeks seems very extreme. I'd say no.

Mumsnorthernmonkey · 15/10/2020 22:29

I actually wished I asked for a survey from the seller of my house.... just claim “can’t get one for 8 weeks”.

All you need to do OP is go on a comparison website for building surveyors and you will find that a survey can be done very fast

pilates · 15/10/2020 22:35

No I wouldn’t

StephenBelafonte · 15/10/2020 22:45

I think i'd be inclined to say that I didn't have one to give them. At least then it doesn't look as though you're being awkward or obstructive.

Fozzleyplum · 15/10/2020 23:51

I'd say no. Surveyors have insurance for a reason - for example in case they miss something and in doing so, you suffer loss. Your comeback would be against the surveyor whom you paid, but your purchasers would not have that benefit, because the report was not prepared for them. If you give the prospective purchasers the report, it is possible that they would try to claim against you if they acted in reliance on it, and it turned out that there was a problem.

Mumsnorthernmonkey · 15/10/2020 23:57

@Fozzleyplum damp isn’t an instant way of getting money back. The only thing you can claim is if you would have offered less. It’s a long process.

Ffsffsffsffsffs · 15/10/2020 23:58

@LyingDogsLie1

Then I'd omit the valuation. It's your survey, none of their business how much you paid in relation to the survey.

The price OP paid will be recorded on the office copies (the title register) and so the buyers will be privy to it anyway.

Yes, but they won't know if they were down-valued or got a real bargain re the valuation estimate will they without the survey?