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Original poster

Who pays for additional surveys?

64 replies

Summerbubbles · 02/08/2021 17:14

Hi, we are in the process of selling a property (I have never sold a property before).
We have had an email from our solicitor this morning following the buyers survey, before exchange of contracts they want us to complete a full damp inspection on the property, full drains survey including CCTV inspection and for us to complete any/all work that comes to light as a result of these surveys.

Is this a reasonable expectation? Should we be doing these surveys and paying for them or should that be the buyers responsibility?

It's a house built in the 1950's and there are no obvious signs of damp or drainage problems, the cost of the surveys alone will be somewhere approaching a thousand pounds according to quotes we have had today.

OP posts:
Asdf12345 · 02/08/2021 17:16

They pay for the survey, then negotiations occur regarding any works suggested. Unless it’s somewhere that may be a real struggle to sell in which case you may feel more generous.

MrsOrMiss · 02/08/2021 17:19

Echoing @Asdf12345
If they want a survey, they pay. If they find anything they're unhappy with, they can walk away or negotiate. You then decide what you want to do too.
It's not a one way street.

RamsayBoltonsConscience · 02/08/2021 17:21

My mum is selling and buyer just paid for a damp survey. It's a 200+ year old house and the findings were a damp course was needed. Buyer wanted my mum to go half (about £2400) and get the work done before contracts were exchanged. They were definitely pushing their luck! Mum agreed to drop the price by £1000 and that was it. Work and remainder of cost needs to be dealt with once everything is completed and not before. Don't know if that helps OP?

SoupDragon · 02/08/2021 17:22

Assuming you're in England, they pay.

senua · 02/08/2021 17:32

What's the market like round by you? If I believe MN, most places are red hot and people are having difficulties finding properties to buy.
This request is ridiculous and it suggests that your current buyers are going to be trouble. I'd be tempted to remarket.

LittleBearPad · 02/08/2021 17:33

They pay for any additional surveys.

Original poster
Summerbubbles · 02/08/2021 17:39

Thank you for the quick replies.
You are echoing what I thought, which is if they want the surveys they should pay.

The market is currently hot where we are, we accepted this offer two days after the property went up for sale and other houses are selling just as quickly. The buyer had been looking for a year and kept getting out bid before we accepted.

OP posts:
surreygirl1987 · 02/08/2021 20:14

Technically there are no official rules, but yes, typically if the buyer wants extra surveys then they pay, then anything that comes from the surveys is down to negotiation. It does depend how desperate the buyer/vendor is though. In your case, I would say the buyer is really pushing their luck if your house sold that quickly and easily and they've been looking for a year! I would tell them to pay for surveys. You are also in a strong position if they try to negotiate money off the house price afterwards.

Mizydoscape · 02/08/2021 20:17

100% any surveys are at the potential buyers cost. They don't have to share the results with you and they may use the results to try and negotiate the price.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 02/08/2021 20:18

They pay.

Hothammock · 02/08/2021 20:23

They pay.
However they also sound like trouble.

I would make it clear that if they want to book and pay for any additional surveys they are welcome but that exchange must happen by x date or the house will be remarketed.

Original poster
Summerbubbles · 05/09/2021 17:29

So over a month after I said I am not willing to pay, that any additional surveys would need to be paid for by the buyer. I have now received another email asking for me to carry out the same surveys and to have an electrical survey too!
At this point do I just hold firm and say no again and be prepared to go back to market? I'm so frustrated that another month has been wasted.

OP posts:
CTR1000 · 05/09/2021 17:32

They sounds like problematic buyers.

I’d be threatening to pull the sale at this point.

WetWeekends · 05/09/2021 17:32

Definitely remarket the property tomorrow.

Raindancer411 · 05/09/2021 17:35

Yes say you do not have to do those surveys, it is up to them for their peace of mind. I would personally go back on the market as if they trying it now, what else will they try their luck with!!

WeAreTheHeroes · 05/09/2021 17:38

I'd go back and say your response has not changed and either they arrange these surveys at their own expense within the next week or back off. If they won't do either then re-market the house. Speak to your estate agent and get them onside - they will want their fee.

Original poster
Summerbubbles · 05/09/2021 17:41

Thank you for your replies, it's reassuring that other people are thinking on the same lines as me. I had (naively) thought it would be an easy sale process as we are not buying a new property so no onward chain and a single applicant first time buyer. I have no idea how people in a long chain cope with the stress.

OP posts:
Philandbill · 05/09/2021 17:43

They sound very annoying and may possibly also cause more problems nearer to exchange, e.g. asking for a last minute price reduction. I'd tell them that you will be putting it back on the market unless they get their act in gear and at the same time also make it clear that if they attempt a last minute price reduction on the day of exchange you will also refuse that and put house back on the market. They sound likes CFers.

Wombat96 · 05/09/2021 17:44

Yep, hold firm. They can survey if they want to but give them a deadline and then stick to it. Definitely don't pay, as they are expensive surveys and the only reason to have them is if you suspect an issue, which they'll then want a discount for...thin end of wedges...

Philandbill · 05/09/2021 17:45

As you're not buying a new property you have a huge advantage. I'd make sure that they know that too, then they're less likely to mess with you. Grin

OldTinHat · 05/09/2021 17:48

When I bought my house (cash purchase) my surveyor advised to get a damp survey and woodwork survey. I did, paid for them both and renegotiated the purchase price due to the results.

Raindancer411 · 05/09/2021 17:50

I use to work in conveyancing and have seen some tricks 🙄😱

EL8888 · 05/09/2021 17:54

They pay. They sound demanding!

IggysPop · 05/09/2021 17:56

Oh dear OP. They're FTB right? I would be tempted to return to market given how quickly you sold, as other people have said.

FTB can very naive about house buying - especially if taking advice from parents who haven’t sold in while. Often easily spooked. Had this with my last house - utterly respected their right to protect their investment, but seemed blissfully unaware they were buying a 1930s semi. I went along to a extent - even paid for a drainage survey (£120). Their surveyor even got sick of them 😂 .

Original poster
Summerbubbles · 05/09/2021 18:07

@Wombat96

Yep, hold firm. They can survey if they want to but give them a deadline and then stick to it. Definitely don't pay, as they are expensive surveys and the only reason to have them is if you suspect an issue, which they'll then want a discount for...thin end of wedges...
My suspicion is that they are just looking for ways to then reduce their offer (and expecting me to pay for the survey to justify it).

The house has no signs of damp at all and the only actual problem with the drainage is that there were some leaves in the drain when the surveyor went. The leaves took me less than a minute to remove. The house was rewired about 20 years ago, so not brand new but perfectly safe and functional.

OP posts:
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