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Original poster

Is the EA at fault?

17 replies

Joandontgroan · 16/02/2025 01:04

I had arranged a survey which was to include the garage and out building. The EA didn't have the keys to these buildings so the surveyor assed the house and took a visual inspection of the outside of these two buildings.

I was clear when I booked the survey that I wanted these two buildings assessed. Obviously, it's not the surveyors fault but I feel annoyed that I didn't get the full survey I paid for. The surveyor has agreed to inspect the garage and out building but will charge another £300, on top of the £800 I have already paid.

I feel like the EA should cough up. I sent an email to her making it clear what the survey entailed.

Is it worth pushing this with thr EA, asking them up pay the additional charge or at least make a contribution.

OP posts:
Icanttakethisanymore · 16/02/2025 05:06

Whilst they are at fault id be very surprised if you get any cash out of them.

Twiglets1 · 16/02/2025 06:10

I would say it’s the sellers fault for not giving the EA keys to all the buildings. As a seller you know when a survey is booked on your house so the onus is on you to make sure the surveyor has access to all areas.

The EA can only grant access to those areas they have permission to show to other people. Presumably you have never seen inside the garage /outbuildings if the EA doesn’t have the keys. So you should have flagged this at the time you viewed the property.

BooomShakeTheRoom · 16/02/2025 07:20

whos responsibility is it to tell the owner which keys they need access to on the day?

In our case, the surveyor called us (sellers) in advance to book the survey date - I’d have expected them to tell us then what it involves and what they need.

Everyone is assuming the sellers should have known but not necessarily. Why didn’t the surveyors or EA call the sellers when they noticed they didn’t have the keys to ask where they are?

Twiglets1 · 16/02/2025 07:30

You just said the surveyor called you ( the seller) to book the survey. So as the seller, why wouldn’t you make sure all parts of your property are accessible on that date?

BishBashBoomer · 16/02/2025 07:31

Did they have but not bring the keys? Or did you not given those keys?

Original poster
Joandontgroan · 16/02/2025 07:48

Twiglets1 · 16/02/2025 07:30

You just said the surveyor called you ( the seller) to book the survey. So as the seller, why wouldn’t you make sure all parts of your property are accessible on that date?

Sorry, I am the buyer. I booked the survey and informed the EA and told the EA that they needed to bring the keys to the garage.

The EA and surveyor arranged the date. The EA didn't have the keys for the garage, not sure if the seller didn't give it to the EA or thr EA just didn't bring it.

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Original poster
Joandontgroan · 16/02/2025 07:50

BishBashBoomer · 16/02/2025 07:31

Did they have but not bring the keys? Or did you not given those keys?

I am the buyer.

Having reread the email, I think the EA who attended the survey didn't bring the keys. The keys were with the EA.

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Original poster
Joandontgroan · 16/02/2025 07:51

Update
I am the buyer .

I am assuming the EA didn't bring the keys but the sellers had given the keys to the EA

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Original poster
Joandontgroan · 16/02/2025 08:01

Joandontgroan · 16/02/2025 07:51

Update
I am the buyer .

I am assuming the EA didn't bring the keys but the sellers had given the keys to the EA

Just based on the email the EAm I might be reading too much into but it seems they had the keys but there was a mixup at the EA

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globalwondering · 16/02/2025 08:04

You need to find out if the agents actually have the keys. I'm guessing they do not as all keys need to be kept together so it seems strange they'd have one key with them and not the other.
If they had the keys and didn't bring them that's another story.

Original poster
Joandontgroan · 17/02/2025 09:19

EA had the keys to the garage but there was a mix up and they weren't included in the set the EA took with him.

EA have apologised but have said they won't pay for a follow up survey.

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Whaleandsnail6 · 17/02/2025 09:44

Did the surveyor make contact with you at the time to say they could not access the buildings?

I feel like the estate agent should have been given the opportunity to go and get the correct set at the time rather than the surveyor go ahead with the survey and then charge extra for a second visit...were they made aware that the charges and second visit would then need to take place or did the surveyor say, on your behalf that it would be ok?

Wherehavetheyallgone · 17/02/2025 10:01

Surely it is for the seller to make sure the whole property is accessible for the buyer's survey. So I would (through their estate agent), put it to the sellers that you would like them to meet the extra cost...because their agent could not provide the keys on the day.

The agent will have to relay this message to the sellers. Surely the sellers are likely to ask their EA awkward questions and ask them to cover the cost?

Original poster
Joandontgroan · 17/02/2025 10:28

Whaleandsnail6 · 17/02/2025 09:44

Did the surveyor make contact with you at the time to say they could not access the buildings?

I feel like the estate agent should have been given the opportunity to go and get the correct set at the time rather than the surveyor go ahead with the survey and then charge extra for a second visit...were they made aware that the charges and second visit would then need to take place or did the surveyor say, on your behalf that it would be ok?

No, they surveyor didn't phone me. I only found out when he phoned after the survey.

I did explicitly ask the booking agent that I wanted the garage examined.

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Original poster
Joandontgroan · 17/02/2025 10:29

Wherehavetheyallgone · 17/02/2025 10:01

Surely it is for the seller to make sure the whole property is accessible for the buyer's survey. So I would (through their estate agent), put it to the sellers that you would like them to meet the extra cost...because their agent could not provide the keys on the day.

The agent will have to relay this message to the sellers. Surely the sellers are likely to ask their EA awkward questions and ask them to cover the cost?

The Sellers are prickly ... wife wants to leave it as it is on the basis the surveyor said the main house was in decent condition.

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friendlycat · 17/02/2025 10:46

I would be annoyed too, but I don't think you will get anywhere with the EA paying for the surveyor to come back.

In the grand scheme of things I would pay the extra £300 if I really wanted the surveyor back to look at the garage. £300 extra is a small amount in terms of the house purchase.

But I do accept that you asked for this to be done and the EA did not have the keys. But also the surveyor could have rung the EA and asked for the garage keys to be brought over.

Sometimes though you just have to accept that other people messed up and arguing as to who is going to pick up the additional bill just leads to more stress without the outcome that you may want.

Original poster
Joandontgroan · 17/02/2025 11:10

friendlycat · 17/02/2025 10:46

I would be annoyed too, but I don't think you will get anywhere with the EA paying for the surveyor to come back.

In the grand scheme of things I would pay the extra £300 if I really wanted the surveyor back to look at the garage. £300 extra is a small amount in terms of the house purchase.

But I do accept that you asked for this to be done and the EA did not have the keys. But also the surveyor could have rung the EA and asked for the garage keys to be brought over.

Sometimes though you just have to accept that other people messed up and arguing as to who is going to pick up the additional bill just leads to more stress without the outcome that you may want.

I think that is what I am having to accept.

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