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Original poster

Buyers trying to renegotiate ...

13 replies

Jessjouan82 · 16/02/2023 13:03

So we are selling our house ... But our buyers are coming back with 10k less offer following homesurvey...
Their reasons was the PIV is broken so damp/condensation issues... We are in the process of changing it with a new warranty. But we also put some lap vent to fix the condensation in the loft so all being fixed...
They told us there is damp in the kitchen ceiling... It's not even damp it's coffee that explodes all over the walls and ceiling and we repainted...

They are picking on coal mining area... Which pass the test twice from when we bought and from they solicitors...
Also picking on radon area ... We are between 1 and 3% and the way to fix it is the PIV.
Also saying they might have to maintain a alleyway on the side of our house but there is nothing to maintain it's an alley way ...
Then picking on chancel repair because there is 0.000001% chance they might have to pay for church repair...
Also asking for warranty for a conservatory that was build around 2000.

We negotiating 2k down for boiler that is old but serviced and working and electric checks... But we are feeling super frustrated .. we received. Our contracts for both sale and purchased to sign and they are coming with those type of things 😐

Do you think 10k is a lot for what they came up with ?

OP posts:

DogInATent · 16/02/2023 13:21

You acknowledge that there are/have been damp issues with the PIV/loft and the remediation of those has either only just been done (so unproven) or hasn't been done yet. That's not an unreasonable issue to point out - they'd be placing trust in you to have the work done satisfactorily, but once you've agreed the sale what's your interest in that? Get those works completed as soon as possible or you'll run into this with every potential buyer (why weren't these completed before you put the house on the market?).

Chancel repairs can be covered by insurance, but if that wasn't factored into their offer they can make an adjustment. You're dismissing the concerns over the alley because they won't be your problem once you move. Alleys do need to be maintained, is the alley mentioned on the deeds as something the owners of the house would be responsible for?

The conservatory warranty seems an odd thing to raise on something installed 20 years ago. Are they just asking whether there is one, or are they expecting one?

Renegotiation post-survey is quite normal. Either accept, send them on their way, or make your counter offer.

bilbodog · 16/02/2023 13:21

Dont know what PIV IS?

chancel repair is fairly common now and we just took out liability insurance when we bought - costs less than £100. I wouldnt loose the sale for this but suggest they take out the insurance first.

a lot of these questions are standard - just reply you dont have any warranty for the conservatory - even if you had it would have run out now!

just say you will not re-negotiate and see what happens. Lots of people try it on.

IamwhoIsayIam · 16/02/2023 14:32

Not everyone is trying it on. We have just had a survey back that shows things we could not have seen and that will be costly to put right. I've arranged a second opinion for a structural engineer who is also going to get estimated quotes from trades on putting it right. When I have all the facts I will be renegotiating!

I hope the buyers don't see it as trying it on! Its a problem they knew about so must expect that it might come up in a survey. If I knew in advance my original offer would have been lower.

My approach is going to be 1) get the expert evidence 2) get the trades estimates and 3) decide if we still want it! 4) will be negotiate a new offer and if they don't I'll have to walk ... but that is some way down the line.

Sellers on here - what would make you think I was genuine not 'cheeky' I want this to be a pragmatic negotiation.

Grumpybutfunny · 16/02/2023 14:48

IamwhoIsayIam · 16/02/2023 14:32

I hope the buyers don't see it as trying it on! Its a problem they knew about so must expect that it might come up in a survey. If I knew in advance my original offer would have been lower.

Sellers on here - what would make you think I was genuine not 'cheeky' I want this to be a pragmatic negotiation.

How is it priced in comparison with other without the issue also what's the issue is it something you could live with like the current owners are and go from there. I would included an offer to show them the quotes. Our survey pointed out the conservatory isn't built to modern building standards, it's been up 20 years it's perfectly fine

IamwhoIsayIam · 16/02/2023 14:57

I would say it is priced slightly higher than others and the fault is almost certainly going to need addressed. They may well have 'lived with it' but in that time the lack of addressing it has probably caused it to worsen. I will definitely show them the quotes and the survey. I'm not trying to hide anything. They will be aware of it and it will most likely be revealed by every future survey if we do pull out. I'm paraphrasing as this isn't the exact problem but the surveyor has basically said 'you can watch and wait but eventually you or a future owner will have to do something about it because if this structural issue worsens it will cause considerably more damage' . I don't feel unreasonable - but it seems sellers will only ever see it as 'trying it on'!

YukoandHiro · 16/02/2023 15:22

£10k loss is way less than the loss you'll make pulling out and starting over. House prices are dropping. This may be your best offer. Buyers who aren't desperate to move are in a strong position this year.

alwayscheery · 16/02/2023 15:41

We have just sold a small buy to let property .
First sale fell through at £ 198 k mortgage valuation was £198
Sale fell through
2 weeks later a I agree a sale for £183k mortgage valuation was £183k
Given there are lots of price reductions in the market I accepted the £183 .
What percentage is £10k for you ?

alwayscheery · 16/02/2023 15:43

PIV is positive input ventilation

Original poster

Jessjouan82 · 16/02/2023 17:14

Sorry I have listened their points and we made searcheson it... They are common and standard points homeowners have wherever you buy...Our house was valued at 325k but we dropped it all several times because we really wanted a house we saw and we needed a quick sale... We made the buyers aware of our valuation and that we only dropped the price because we wanted to move to find also nursery space with our kids mid year is tough... So we dropped a lot ...

The PIV was in place since we bought but it broke in december but they had already made an offer 4 weeks prior... We did not expect it break but we are having it fixed ... The trader has been taking the mick with 2 months not fixing it...

OP posts:

Original poster

Jessjouan82 · 16/02/2023 17:25

Ps: we did make a counter offer and took in consideration what we are already in the process of fixing out of the price... The chancel repair they said some exception sometimes even if they take insurance...

OP posts:

DogInATent · 16/02/2023 17:38

We made the buyers aware of our valuation and that we only dropped the price because we wanted to move
You told them you were desperate for a quick sale and had already dropped the price several times. Of course they're going to try and renegotiate now they've found a few things on the survey, etc.

As a Seller, never let the Buyer know you're desperate for a quick sale and you've already dropped the price. They'll figure that if you've dropped the price already you'll drop it some more.

If you're a Buyer, never let the Seller or their EA know you're prepared to pay more. Never, ever, ever discuss strategy in front of the EA. I've been caught by that once - I was young and naïve, I'm now a lot more cynical and realise that the buying/selling a house is a rigged game.

C4tastrophe · 16/02/2023 17:42

Can you not negotiate on your purchase? Even 5k off would ease the pain.

Original poster

Jessjouan82 · 16/02/2023 20:06

Broke after the viewing. It was working when we had our viewings. Things break and it can happen anytime ( could have been fridge, oven...) Just unlucky. It's not fixed yet... we were not dishonest about it. The trader is taking a long time to fix it and we complained . Unfortunately it was not fixed before the surveyor came...
Also not dismissing the alleyway. They are bypassing their solicitors who asked if we had an entrance in that alleyway, which we don't and our neighbours all do so no liability. Few points like this were redirected to their solicitors.

OP posts:

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