Buyers wanting to attend survey

[SaffaQueen]

Hi, we are busy selling our flat but have already partially moved out.The estate agent just rang to confirm the homebuyers survey date only just to drop in casually that they (the buyer) will also be attending! Surely that’s not usual? Our buyer has been a nightmare thus far, even wanting our personal furniture (and I don’t mean fixtures) included as part of his very small increased offers (so not really increases given we need to replace furniture). His second viewing was nearly 2 hours. Personally we think it’s an excuse to nose around further, find “faults” or items that “need repairing” and possibly even try use the survey to reduce further.

Is this normal or could we insist we don’t want him to be present - I mean it’s not his property yet!

It’s definitely not usual. I think you’d be able to say no at any time but with the current COVID situation you have a very good reason for not wanting people in your home.

I think you should speak to your EA and explain you aren't overly keen, I'm not sure whether they are entitled to attend but hopefully they will agree with you and it's down to them to say no.

We had a survey on our purchase but didn't even think to attend.

Good luck!

What sort of flat is it, purpose built in a block. A homebuyer's survey wont show much as they cant access communal, outdoor, roofs etc. Maybe they are trying to get a full structural survey done on the cheap. I would say no, be there yourself and the surveyor can decide how detailed it would be. Blame it on covid.

When we were buying and I was researching about surveys it was usually recommend that they buyer attends. Our surveyor wouldn’t allow it anyways because of Covid. It sounds like you don’t like your buyers so just say no, you don’t want that many people in your house.

I think it's reasonable to allow a seller a detailed look round, after all they might be buying it!

Easy enough to decline to negotiate any further on any further very minor pickups they make /"it's already priced in"

It's certainly not usual, and I think your instinct about his reasons for wanting to be there are probably correct. I have never had a buyer attend the survey, and I've sold a few properties in my time. He sounds like he could be a major pain in the butt. I suggest you say no to this request, and any other off the wall suggestion, and maintain a polite but formal distance between him and you until you complete. Make sure all requests etc go through the agent or the solicitor, don't deal with him directly, otherwise he might try and work on you to agree with his requests.

Surely the survey will pick these things up anyway. I'd just let him nosy.

I'm an estate agent and I can tell you it's very unusual. the homebuyers report is independent and objective. a good surveyor wouldn't let themselves be influenced. A buyer is likely to flag up areas of concern to a surveyor before the visit if there is something they are particularly concerned about (eg cracks/damp) but these would then require subsequent investigation but specialists to determine remedial works/costs anyway. a homebuyers report will simply flag up areas of concern and recommend further investigation.

Tell him/her to bugger off, and tell the EA hat's not possible.
Cf pair of them, I'd look at walking from them oth tbh.

As they have already been difficult, I would not be happy with them attending the survey.

Why are you selling your furniture, if you don't want to.
Sounds like he wants to let it fully furnished, and cba to buy furnitue him/herself.

On one hand, a lot of the advice of surveys, like AN85 said, mentions talking with the surveyor on the day as they'll talk about more they will later put in their reports.

On the other, I think that advice is mainly aimed at people who haven't had a second viewing (especially not one that's taken 2 hours!) so I can see the logic in kinda combining the two for some people and with COVID, the surveyors may not allow it especially if you'll be there. I guess they could wait outside if they really wanted and see if the surveyor will talk to them then.

That's quite odd, also the surveyor that our buyers had asked us to leave the house or stay in one room while they did it because of covid (we also had to have all internal doors and windows open) so I wonder if the surveyor knows the buyer is wanting to walk around with them because that would have been a big no-no with the company our buyers used.

Youd EA us being paid by you so they convey your wishes. The buyer should stay at home as required under Covid rules so insist on that position. They are not allowed into your home - just the surveyor who is working. Be clear and insist the surveyor is alone.

Surveyor won't like that. I imagine won't go along with it.

Just say no. They can’t attend due to Covid anyway

I would not worry to much. Their surveyor will want to do the job and leave in his usual timetable; and in a flat the amount of surveying he can do inside it is pretty limited. The buyers should enter and leave with him (not earlier, and not later) and I would specify that condition to the agent beforehand and ask for an email confirmation.

Are you sure they want to come along for the whole survey? We have always agreed to meet the surveyor at any property we've been buying at the end of the survey to have a chat with him so he can point out any major issues. Always full buildings surveys though. No vendor has had a problem with it and it seems pretty normal to me. The surveyors often suggest it.

Is the surveyor a professional surveyor or a builder friend doing it as a favour? My dad has checked out all the houses I've bought bar one, that one was professionally surveyed and they missed huge red flag type problems eg subsidence. This time dad did it and I went with him (during covid)

@cloudchaos

Are you sure they want to come along for the whole survey? We have always agreed to meet the surveyor at any property we've been buying at the end of the survey to have a chat with him so he can point out any major issues. Always full buildings surveys though. No vendor has had a problem with it and it seems pretty normal to me. The surveyors often suggest it.

Yes - we have done this previously- sometimes it's helpful to be there to be able to actually understand what issues there are (if any) - we were buying an older house x

I would say no, I am assuming the surveyor is aware? Usually they just like to get on with it, and get onto the next job. Never heard of a buyer being there when the survey is carried out. Why would you need things explained on the day, that is the purpose of the written report surely you have the opportunity to query any aspects of concern after you receive the report.

Ignoring fact the surveyor won't want him there and he's been a PITA, just remind them about Covid rules and say no.