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Putting an offer down on first home, help!!!

10 replies

Charliechoco · 18/12/2023 18:17

We have just viewed a flat. We were hoping to put an offer down on. We viewed it in the daylight and fell in love. However, after viewing in the evening/dark, we noticed the kitchen was infested with small cockroaches. The cockroaches were also on the walls in the living room. Should we be extremely concerned about this?

The property is four bedrooms and 100 m² going for £435k in south east, London, a desirable area. However, the property needs a lot of work including a brand-new bathroom and needs to be completely renovated. So we're/ are prepared to do the works, but now we are feeling somewhat unsettled, seeing the cockroach infestation.

They also have an arrangement in place with the downstairs neighbour, where if we do any renovation work to the loft we would have to pay the below neighbours £20k vice versa if they do any work to the basement. I have never heard of this type arrangement before and slightly concerned albeit this may be common.

I would really love to hear peoples thoughts on this, and whether you think these points are concerning.

OP posts:
naughtynine · 18/12/2023 18:20

I’d walk away

m00rfarm · 18/12/2023 18:21

Small cockroaches? Are you sure?

PamelaParis · 18/12/2023 18:26

You would be crazy to make an offer on a place like that! Keep looking.

27icey · 18/12/2023 18:29

This sounds horrific on so many levels.

  1. Dealing with an infestation can be extremely costly and time consuming, not to mention the psychological toll and uncertainty about whether you can ever deal with the problem. Also worse if they have got into other parts of the building that you have no control over.
  2. How much money have you set aside for renovation works? New bathrooms will be expensive, and if you need a new kitchen due to the infestation then that will add to the costs. Do you have experience renovating properties?
  3. The agreement with downstairs sounds nuts. I have been doing some work to my loft and I didn't have to pay my downstairs neighbour anything. Why would I?

Is it leasehold? Service charge?

Charliechoco · 18/12/2023 18:32

m00rfarm · 18/12/2023 18:21

Small cockroaches? Are you sure?

They are small cockroaches, we saw about 20 of them

OP posts:
Charliechoco · 18/12/2023 18:33

27icey · 18/12/2023 18:29

This sounds horrific on so many levels.

  1. Dealing with an infestation can be extremely costly and time consuming, not to mention the psychological toll and uncertainty about whether you can ever deal with the problem. Also worse if they have got into other parts of the building that you have no control over.
  2. How much money have you set aside for renovation works? New bathrooms will be expensive, and if you need a new kitchen due to the infestation then that will add to the costs. Do you have experience renovating properties?
  3. The agreement with downstairs sounds nuts. I have been doing some work to my loft and I didn't have to pay my downstairs neighbour anything. Why would I?

Is it leasehold? Service charge?

Really good points... it is a share of freehold with a 999 year lease. And this is our first home, so no experience with renovation

OP posts:
anniegun · 18/12/2023 18:34

Do not do it. Its a buyers market for flats and I would not take a chance with a property with problems emerging at this stage

Twiglets1 · 18/12/2023 18:34

Oh no ... I would be running away from this property. Cockroaches are bad enough but the arrangement with the downstairs neighbour is another big red flag.

PossumintheHouse · 18/12/2023 18:36

Run like the fucking wind.

Desolatewardrobe · 18/12/2023 18:53

Run, don’t walk, away.

What’s your budget and what area/London postcode are you looking in? Let MN help.

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