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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:
MadeForThis · 10/06/2021 14:34

Of the neighbour moved next month they might have to replace the floor.

godmum56 · 10/06/2021 14:38

chancer, tell her to do one.

mummabubs · 10/06/2021 14:57

Hilarious. We've just bought a new (high end) carpet for our son's double sized bedroom on sale - £230 including underlay and fitting. Even not on sale the total cost would have been approx £500. A £7k reduction and at this late stage is beyond cheeky!! Your response to them was perfectly reasonable in my opinion.

NautaOcts · 10/06/2021 15:05

Agree £7K is ridiculous

But can also see their point of view that if downstairs neighbour changed, new person would complain and then they’d have to replace it.
As others have said I would consider offering to carpet or offer a reduction based on cost of carpeting

jellybeansforbreakfast · 10/06/2021 15:09

@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.
Brilliant!

Check the user name Grin

Rachelheels · 10/06/2021 15:21

Buyer is awful.

I’m cabin crew so come and go at all times of day and night usually in my heels, I had wood flooring and miserable neighbour below never once said a thing about noise, I wouldn’t do anything for them they’re being daft just ignore them

Lettuceforlunch · 10/06/2021 15:22

Having owned an old leasehold flat with various covenants myself, I think you were foolish not to have your lease changed to reflect the flooring change. Relying on an old email as ‘evidence’ is no help to your buyer.

SpiderinaWingMirror · 10/06/2021 15:32

I would just stare them down at this point.

Eviethyme · 10/06/2021 15:51

@Zilla1 I have just refloored a 4 bedroom house... Every room... Cost me 2.5k so think your chancing it. 7k for a flat haha as if.

Original poster
Eastie77 · 10/06/2021 16:08

@Lettuceforlunch was your property a Housing Association leasehold? If not, you may not be aware that it isn't possible to just "change the lease to reflect" any changes. It doesn't really work like that.

OP posts:
purplecorkheart · 10/06/2021 16:13

Could you make a GDPR request to the Council. Given that you know the tome frame from when the email was set and the email account it was sent from they may have it.

DirectionsForUse · 10/06/2021 16:13

I can't get past £7k to carpet a flat. Surely not?

If you can't show you have consent and it's possible that the HA may ask for it to be changed if the downstairs neighbour (or a new downstairs neighbour) complains then, perhaps something is appropriate but surely not £7k. How did they arrive at that figure?

JaffacakeJanine · 10/06/2021 16:14

Buyer is a chancer. 7k my arse! Tbh if you say no, she's unlikely to drop out, especially at this point as it's very close to stamp duty holiday ending (I'm assuming she would get some relief from that). If she does drop out, I would imagine your flat would be off the market again in no time in this climate.

Maybe if you don't want to chance losing the buyer, spec up how much recarpeting your floors would be (in the cheapest way) and use that quote rather than the 7k she's snatched out of thin air!

Springchickpea · 10/06/2021 16:16

Surely to change the price would mean having to go back to the mortgage company? Not viable at this late stage.

Lettuceforlunch · 10/06/2021 16:27

@Eastie77 - no, it wasn’t. But we did change the leases for all twenty+ flats by way of an addendum so that legally, all owners were able to install wooden flooring. The freehold management company used one solicitor and each flat owner used their own. When we sold, we didn’t have any issues (as the OP here has). Obviously you need all owners to agree for this to work but luckily that wasn’t a problem for us.

Sssloou · 10/06/2021 16:33

The buyer is a CF donkey.

What’s the sqm to be carpeted?

I am assuming not the kitchen or bathroom - so on an average HA flat (not a lateral penthouse!) you are left with around 30-35m2? That’s about £225 - £200 / m2 for carpet ..... I don’t know where you would actually buy carpet of that cost - maybe handwoven bespoke antique silk!

Also the valuation is for a 2nd hand flat, with 2nd hand flooring.....the only addition cost would be a second had carpet.

As you are not in a chain I would pull out - people like this are ridiculous cheeky fuckers and it’s up to the rest of us to put then back in line.

areallthenamesusedup · 10/06/2021 16:40

Could you offer to put carpet down between exchange and completion?
That way she gets the flat she wants, you don't loose sale plus you will be able to do it much cheaper. In effect, you are calling her bluff.

HandlebarLadyTash · 10/06/2021 17:38

I would refuse to make the discount & see what happens

RJnomore1 · 10/06/2021 17:43

On TWELVE YEAR OLD flooring?

Hahahahaha

The answers no. Just no.

Original poster
Eastie77 · 10/06/2021 18:46

@purplecorkheart the HA no longer use the email exchange the message was sent from (it was in 2009 I think). They are not disputing they have gave consent at the time but the rules have apparently changed since.

The buyer is saying the £7k cost is just to remove the flooring which is BS. I was trying to give her the benefit of the doubt and allow that she may genuinely be worried about removal costs in the future but the fact she left it this late to demand a reduction has me convinced she is just trying it on.

Well I've said a flat out no but have offered the carpet option so we'll see what she comes back with. She originally said she wanted to exchange next week and complete end of month.

I have zero qualms about putting the property back on the market at this point. As the day has gone on I've felt increasingly angry especially as she has been chasing for the last month urging things along so she can benefit from the stamp duty holiday.I've accommodated numerous other requests from her and now this.

OP posts:
Mountaingoatling · 10/06/2021 19:00

You've been more than fair. I might worry though that in the future should the new owner fancy new flooring that a complaint from any new owner of the ground floor flat miraculously appears and bingo...they get free new flooring.

user1487194234 · 10/06/2021 20:27

Don’t think you could get indemnity insurance as you have been in touch with the LA
I would offer something to try and get it over the line,say 2k

Sssloou · 10/06/2021 20:34

The buyer is saying the £7k cost is just to remove the flooring which is BS.

Totally ridiculous.

Tell her you will rip it up for her for free.

Let her miss the SD holiday.

No skin off your nose.

maslinpan · 10/06/2021 21:21

In the meantime, amuse yourself by researching the cheapest pub style carpets with swirly patterns and clashing colours. Imagine how your flat could be improved!

Zilla1 · 10/06/2021 21:35

Free samples are available and reassuringly high quality 100% nylon
www.birchcarpets.co.uk/products/neon-black-light

Imagine the surprise when a UV light source is turned on. Just like Ross on a date with his teeth.

Obviously if this is the flat I'm buying then you would be completely unreasonable not to just pony up the £7k which won't even touch the sides of the costs of removing your hardwood floor in an eco-friendly way.