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Original poster

Builders visits before exchange

52 replies

Burgersauce · 20/01/2022 22:11

I am probably being grumpy but my buyers keep asking for a builders visit. I said no, after exchange- various reasons which I told them about and not going to post here but I think very genuine and understandable.

Despite this they have asked again, I am to the point where I want to pull out. Very stressed, accepted a low offer as cash buyer but feel they think this gives them huge power. Would you allow these visits? Am I being difficult?

I wouldn’t dream of harassing the owners of the house we are buying like this, especially after a first refusal. Maybe I am being obstructive though?

Genuine reasons for not facilitating it until after the commitment of exchange but possibly I am still not being fair?

OP posts:

Original poster

Burgersauce · 20/01/2022 22:12

Estate agent said they need to apply for planning but I am not sure they can unless they own the house?
Namechanged…

OP posts:

AuditAngel · 20/01/2022 22:18

When we sold my late parents house, our buyer wanted access and wanted to start work! Needless to say we refused.

Original poster

Burgersauce · 20/01/2022 22:31

@AuditAngel

When we sold my late parents house, our buyer wanted access and wanted to start work! Needless to say we refused.

I would be embarrassed if I asked once, and it was refused, so asked again. Don’t want to cut my nose off to spite my face but it’s a pain, we are working from home and I don’t see why they can’t wait until after exchange? Or completion?

OP posts:

Itsalloutofwhack · 20/01/2022 22:35

They don’t need to apply for planning though, do they? They want to get ahead of the game, but it’s not your problem.

beggingforsleep · 20/01/2022 22:41

I thought that they could apply for planning before purchase but the risk is that the seller (you) could pull out and then sell the property at a higher price because it has planning approved.

But don't give them access if you don't want to. Bit weird of them to ask twice.

incognitodorrito · 21/01/2022 07:11

I had a builder come round to the house I then purchased at viewing stage. I wanted the builder to confirm my plans were possible before I put an offer down on the house, he did and I went ahead and put my offer in.

croon979 · 21/01/2022 07:31

I’m not sure that a buyer asking to Vigo rough the house they are buying twice with a builder really is “harassing” you OP. If the buyer wants to start planning it is entirely normal for this request to be made and I don’t think it is unreasonable. If you don’t want to facilitate the request though that is up to you.

I visited the house I am buying 3 times before putting an offer in. Post offer being accepted and pre-exchange I have gone round the house twice; once to measure up and once with a builder. No problem, the buyer was lovely and totally happy with this.

But if you are not happy to do it then don’t!

croon979 · 21/01/2022 07:32

Oops apols for typos “Vigo rough” should have been “go round”

newyear1 · 21/01/2022 07:58

We put an offer in on a flat that we'd initially need to rent out. I would have asked the vendors if they'd allow a couple of visits with a builder so that they could quote and we could book in the work. Otherwise I'd have had another 3-4 months of lost rent.

Ditto for the house we're in which was almost derelict and needed major renovation. Personally I wouldn't have an issue with it as a vendor, provided it was respectful and in moderation. Obviously no to any work starting before completion.

MajorCarolDanvers · 21/01/2022 08:02

They've made 2 requests. That is not harassment.

By all means say no but I'd allow one short visit. It's a reasonable and helpful thing to do.

LittleBearPad · 21/01/2022 08:04

@MajorCarolDanvers

They've made 2 requests. That is not harassment.

By all means say no but I'd allow one short visit. It's a reasonable and helpful thing to do.

This is what I think.

CamomileTeabag · 21/01/2022 08:04

It's hard to say without knowing your reasons for turning them down. On the face of it, it does seem a little unhelpful.
With wait lists for builders are long as they are at the moment I can well understand they'd be keen to get things moving and get planning approval ahead of time so they can engage a builder.
Yes you can apply for planning permission on property you don't own.
Problem is, they get their plans drawn up and potentially they'll then be asking you for access again and again for quotes. Depends how long the sale is going to take.
And there is always the risk they might drop out because what they want to do isn't possible or is too expensive.

RussianSpy101 · 21/01/2022 08:05

Viewings on exchange are completely normal. I would be extremely concerned you’re hiding something if you outright refused the first request and then claimed the second was harassment.

lastqueenofscotland · 21/01/2022 08:05

I would allow a builder to go in and quote. I wouldn’t call that harassing.

Summersdreaming · 21/01/2022 08:06

A viewing just before exchange is normal I think, I've read horror stories on here of sellers ripping out fixtures and fittings to take with them etc. They can't assume the house is still in the same condition as when they first viewed it.

Classicblunder · 21/01/2022 08:07

How many viewings have they done? I think 2-3 is normal so if they haven't done that number yet, I would allow them to do a builder one

Kocduw · 21/01/2022 08:10

The buyer would need to give you 21 days notice that they are applying for planning if you own the property. The only worry i would have is that they would look for a last minute reduction in the price if the builder identified something.

itsanothernamechangeforme · 21/01/2022 08:10

The buyer wants to check that the works they want are affordable/ achievable.
If they only do this after exchange then they have already committed to the purchase.
As pp mentioned all buyers should check before exchange that house is still in the condition it was when they viewed. So I think if you refuse they may pull out anyway.

TheChemicalMother · 21/01/2022 08:12

I would allow a visit by a builder at a time of my choosing, yes.

If they pull out because they don’t want to exchange without certainty, then you will be cleaning snd tidying for yet more viewings…

Selling is a time consuming and intrusive process.

Obviously they can’t build it without being owners but Anyone can apply for PP on any property at any time.

Qwertykeys · 21/01/2022 08:19

I don't think it's an unreasonable request. If they back out you will have the added hassle of more viewing. I would let them come once with the builder , make it clear due to whatever reason you have you won't facilitate multi visits

LizzieMacQueen · 21/01/2022 08:23

I think there's a difference between a visit to do a quote and a visit to measure up for a planning application. Surely the latter is more intrusive.

I thought anyone could apply for planning permission. You just tick the box that you don't own the property.

Of course nothing to stop them starting the planning process off and refining it once you've sold.

Original poster

Burgersauce · 21/01/2022 10:21

@CamomileTeabag

It's hard to say without knowing your reasons for turning them down. On the face of it, it does seem a little unhelpful. With wait lists for builders are long as they are at the moment I can well understand they'd be keen to get things moving and get planning approval ahead of time so they can engage a builder. Yes you can apply for planning permission on property you don't own. Problem is, they get their plans drawn up and potentially they'll then be asking you for access again and again for quotes. Depends how long the sale is going to take. And there is always the risk they might drop out because what they want to do isn't possible or is too expensive.

Very genuine reasons involving a family member but I don’t want to post online. I think that because I said no once and explained and they contacted the agent the day after to ask them to persuade me, it’s annoyed me. As if they think they can push me around in the middle of a difficult family situation.

I don’t mind if they pull out, the house sold the first day it was advertised and I accepted their offer as they are cash buyers. It was a slightly lower one than the chain offers. They are coming across as thinking they are in a position of power and given I explained the reason to them- I thought it was rude to try again the next day.

Business transaction etc I know but I feel pushed around in truth. It is a two house chain and the person will be in within six-eight weeks.

Seems to be that i am being unreasonable though so might try and get something sorted.

OP posts:

Classicblunder · 21/01/2022 10:24

I don't really understand why you would want to put the house back on the market and then have to deal with multiple viewings which would surely be just as difficult with your family member rather than allow one builder visit?

Skilovingmama · 21/01/2022 10:27

I’d allow them to view with a builder tbh. You might find that they will pull out now and you’ll be left with a chain that might collapse. I’d want to be sure that my proposed works were going to be realistic before committing to exchange. I’m not really sure why it would make a big difference whether they view before or after exchange - surely the family member will be there until completion? Sounds like you want to pull out anyway but I don’t think they have done anything wrong.

user1497207191 · 21/01/2022 10:28

@Classicblunder

I agree with this. You're going to have more potential buyers wanting to look around. Then probably another surveyor. And then you may well find your next buyer will want their builder to have a look around.

People coming into your home is part and parcel of selling a house.

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