Items identified on building survey?

[SunnyChange]

Who pays for these, the seller or buyer? Do we try to negotiate price based on this or ask them to get it carried out or will either risk the sale?

Its basic certs for gas, electric and a few other bits that you'd expect to have. However there's a potential issue with the roof and stack that's shared with a neighbouring property that's been flagged, the surveyor has suggested we get a roofer to investigate and potentially carry out works.

Its up for negiotiation between buyer and seller who pays for what.

In our case (seller) we are paying for gas and electrics and all electrical work needed but not paying for the chimney stack work that's shared with a neighbour as we sold at a low price. If we'ld sold at a higher price we would have reduced by cost of works but buyer got 9% off after 5 weeks. If you try and do works before the sale it may hold things up quite a while as you need the relevant permissions first, you are likely to miss stamp duty deadline if you do that. Getting a builder to look and quote seems sensible.

Often people agree to pay half cost of works but often you ask for full amount then agree half.

Usually the buyer will try to negotiate the price downwards, a seller is unlikely to want all the hassle of arranging building work on a property they are trying to sell. But start your negotiations soon, don’t waste everyone’s time by hanging on until you are just about to exchange.

If you are a first time buyer, and it sounds as though you are , you need to consider if you can deal with a property that needs a lot doing to it, bearing in mind that unless you have had a full structural surgery done the chances are that there are other hidden problems that the mortgage survey has missed.

Having said all that surveyors are not known for their optimistic outlooks, they always see the worst outcomes and their glasses are always half empty.

Gas and electricity certs are not a legal requirement. If you want them you pay. If you ask the seller to carry out other work you don't guarantee the quality of work done. Get a quote and move from there. Surveyors don't often go on the roof so it will be done from eye and with from the point of view they need to cover their arse. So might not even be an issue

I would never expect to have gas/electric certs on a house I was buying, because they are not a legal requirement. Rental regulations do not apply to the purchase of properties. If you want them, you pay for them. If I was concerned that the electrics were dodgy I would have them checked out (at my expense), and possibly re-negotiate a price to reflect their condition.
Maintaining a house is an ongoing job for all the years you live there. It is unrealisic to get a seller to put every small thing right so that your maintenance bills are reduced or non existent.
Was the surveyor not more specific about the stack? Is it the flashing? Have you been up into the loft to see if there is any leaking around it, or signs of leaks on ceilings beneath?
Chimneys are prone to needing repair during their lives. All the houses I have lived in have needed chimney repair at some time. If it is just flashing or pointing, it's not an expensive job.

"I would never expect to have gas/electric certs on a house I was buying"
I agree.

Depending on what the issue actually is with the chimney stack, I'd probably look to either ignore it, or reduce my offer a bit to cover anticipated costs.
Getting the seller to discuss/negotiate with the neighbour, have it inspected, have scaffolding erected & have it repaired, all to satisfy a buyer who is not yet legally committed to the sale/could pull out at any point, is I feel not realistic - that could all take months in itself.