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Original poster

Buyer wants 7k reduction a few days before Exchange because of flooring. Are they BU or am I..?

100 replies

Eastie77 · 10/06/2021 12:36

I am selling a leasehold flat. The freeholder/landlord is a housing association. Around 12 years ago I obtained consent from the HA to install wooden flooring. I was informed via e-mail it was fine as long as I put in underlay and the owner of the ground floor flat below me was agreeable. Both conditions were met.

At the beginning of the sale process the buyer’s solicitor asked for proof of consent. Unfortunately I no longer have the e-mail I received 12 years ago from the HA. I asked the HA if they could resend it and they said no as the rules have changed since I originally obtained consent and they can now only give consent upfront to occupiers of ground floor properties.

However they then inspected the flooring and said it was fine, does not need to be removed and they would only ask for removal if the owner of the ground floor flat complained. This was put in writing and sent to the buyer’s solicitor.

The owner of that flat has not made a complaint in the 12 years the flooring has been in place and has confirmed, verbally and in writing, that he cannot hear any noise from my flat (lovely guy who is trying to help). I have two children who run up and down all day long so any issues would have been noted by now.

My Estate Agent called me yesterday to say the buyer wants a £7k reduction to cover costs in case she has to remove the flooring in the future. I am confident there is zero chance of my downstairs neighbour complaining so I have offered to draw up a legal contract confirming I will cover all costs if she has to remove the flooring in the future but a reduction in sale price at this point is out of the question.

Does this seem fair? We are due to exchange in one week, the buyer was made aware of the flooring issue 3 months ago (and I made an offer re covering costs at the time similar to the one I’m making now) and I feel as if she is trying to force my hand by making this last minute demand.

Thank you if you've got this far!

OP posts:
Zilla1 · 10/06/2021 13:28

If this is the flat I am buying, you are being super mean. I've not sat on my hands for weeks in a cynical attempt to leave it to the last minute and coerce you into agreeing and I have a carpet in mind that will suit my allergies and a fitter with whom I feel safe. It will cost at least £7k if not more. I promise I won't pocket the case and leave the lovely wooden floors. If you agree then I probably promise not to look for other things to try it on and get you to cave on and promise I won't think you are desperate. Tally ho.

CovidCorvid · 10/06/2021 13:28

I suppose they are worried they might get a batshit crackers new downstairs neighbour who complains.

LongTimeMammaBear · 10/06/2021 13:28

Can you not try a data subject access request to the housing association to obtain the original permission? Then also remarked the property and you’d have this just in case?

Failing that, put down cheap carpeting.

HavelockVetinari · 10/06/2021 13:29

Ooh, definitely get some awful brown carpet put down and tell them problem solved! Grin

HavelockVetinari · 10/06/2021 13:30

@Zilla1

If this is the flat I am buying, you are being super mean. I've not sat on my hands for weeks in a cynical attempt to leave it to the last minute and coerce you into agreeing and I have a carpet in mind that will suit my allergies and a fitter with whom I feel safe. It will cost at least £7k if not more. I promise I won't pocket the case and leave the lovely wooden floors. If you agree then I probably promise not to look for other things to try it on and get you to cave on and promise I won't think you are desperate. Tally ho.
Grin Grin Grin
AnneLovesGilbert · 10/06/2021 13:30

No way. To the £7k and the offer to pay in future.

It’s a seller’s market right now. They’re taking the piss.

houseyhousey · 10/06/2021 13:31

I would call the agent and tell them new carpet on order will be installed (& no guarantees it won't damage the floor) within two weeks unless you hear otherwise so let's get on and exchange. Will be very telling what their response is and if they do say great, buy the cheapest carpet you can find and get it fitted sharpish!

MySocalledLoaf · 10/06/2021 13:32

Cheapest ugliest clashing carpet ftw.

CovidCorvid · 10/06/2021 13:33

@Zilla1

If this is the flat I am buying, you are being super mean. I've not sat on my hands for weeks in a cynical attempt to leave it to the last minute and coerce you into agreeing and I have a carpet in mind that will suit my allergies and a fitter with whom I feel safe. It will cost at least £7k if not more. I promise I won't pocket the case and leave the lovely wooden floors. If you agree then I probably promise not to look for other things to try it on and get you to cave on and promise I won't think you are desperate. Tally ho.
Ooooh.

If this is genuine it's not up the seller to fund your carpet which you have "in mind which will suit your allergies". How big is the flat? Because when I've recarpeted it's never been more than £500 a room and that's with decent carpets. I'd think you were a cheeky fucker for having a particular carpet and fitter in mind and expecting that to be paid for....especially because the HA haven't yet said the flat needs carpeting.

Maybe I should try this next time I house hunt, say I'd like new flooring, a big patio in the garden, etc.

Or on the other hand be like a normal person and find a house which is perfect or accept that if It wasn't to my to my taste I'll need to spend money, to change things.

steakandcheeseplease · 10/06/2021 13:37

Call her bluff.

SailingBuddy · 10/06/2021 13:41

Of course that reply isn't genuine @CovidCorvid . Good lord!

Theunamedcat · 10/06/2021 13:45

Umm no

Incidentally do you have the same email address as the reply came to? You can spend sometime filtering emails from 12 years ago maybe?

quizqueen · 10/06/2021 13:49

Honestly, I wouldn't want to sell my property to anyone who was a CF about buying it. Tell them you are happy to withdraw from the sale and will probably market it at a higher price and see what they say!!!

CovidCorvid · 10/06/2021 13:50

@SailingBuddy

Of course that reply isn't genuine *@CovidCorvid* . Good lord!
You never know. 😁
Chloemol · 10/06/2021 13:50

I would not reduce, and not make the offer to remove. The HA has confirmed no issues, so call her bluff and remarked

MrsPsmalls · 10/06/2021 13:52

Are any others in the block for sale? If so why would they not just move on to one of those? No more searches and very likely a reduced price if you have competition. Flats esp leasehold not generally moving quickly so pretty much a buyers market. Might be different if it was a house.

fabulousathome · 10/06/2021 13:54

I'd say no chance. Threaten to put it back on the market. Call their bluff and see what happens.

Ozanj · 10/06/2021 13:55

If your flat is under the threshold for stamp duty just withdraw and have it readvertised. That’s what we’re doing. The market for flats with parking and outdoor space (even shared) has really picked up

JayAlfredPrufrock · 10/06/2021 13:56

Tell her to do one. Cheeky mare.

worrybutterfly · 10/06/2021 14:07

Offer indemnity insurance or get a your own quotes for a midrange carpet and offer a maximum of that amount off. I'd probably offer 50% of the quotes off the price, after all they are getting new flooring IF they have to replace it.

I wouldn't lay carpet for them, they still might pull out. Then you've potentially devalued the property be replacing nice wood floor with a lower end carpet.

I think it's fair for them to be anxious about it all but £7k for carpeting a flat is insane! Especially assuming you don't need to carpet the staircase.

I assume if they'd come back with a quote for carpeting at £2-3k and asked for that off you'd be more open to it?

Fruityfriday · 10/06/2021 14:10

Could you ask the HA for a subject access request. If they still have the email they would have to give you it.

IronTeeth · 10/06/2021 14:12

offer carpet instead, and if they agree, put LOTS and LOTS of glue all over

IronTeeth · 10/06/2021 14:15

obviously to hold it down securely

IronTeeth · 10/06/2021 14:16

@Fruityfriday

Could you ask the HA for a subject access request. If they still have the email they would have to give you it.
only if they still have it - they may have deleted it as data should only be held for a specified time
LovelyLovelyWarmCoffee · 10/06/2021 14:22

I’m with the buyer on this one. How do you knoW that the neighbour won’t take a dislike in them and complain about the flooring just to annoy them? Or that he won’t sell to someone who would ask for the flooring to be changed.
I understand you are offering to cover future costs but for the buyers it means having to get in touch with you in potentially 5-10-20 years time, what if you don’t have the means to pay at this point? Or have dementia, or any other reason that means you can’t pay (obviously not wishing you any of this!!!)