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Original poster

Post Sale Issues - any thoughts?

239 replies

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 08:41

Recently moved. My buyers have put together a list of things that they think need fixing and want me to contribute to them. They got their solicitor to send it to mine. They didn't have a survey done, other than for valuation purposes, and only came to see the property once. They asked no questions about the state of anything, even though I offered to answer any questions they might have.

The property was in really lovely condition IMO obviously. I left it spotlessly clean and there wasn't a scrap of anything that shouldn't have been there left. There's no damp or anything concerning and all the appliances work properly. I also left all the instruction manuals, guarantees and useful information.

Their list has things like replacing a chipped cupboard door, replacing a misted double glazed window, replacing fridge and freezer drawers because the plastic has cracked in some places, replacing cracked tiles on the bathroom floor, replacing some of the paving stones that have become discoloured outside etc. None of these things were hidden or concealed when they viewed my place.

I've moved quite a few times now and I've never had this before. Is this normal nowadays? Do I just politely decline to contribute or is this a thing now?

OP posts:
CompleteOvaryAction · 23/04/2025 15:26

AthWat · 23/04/2025 14:02

I'd agree here - pretty shit solicitor to pass this on without even saying "it's rubbish".

Show quote history

The solicitor is not shit.

The Buyer's solicitor is following his/her client's instructions in sending the letter requesting payment for stupid things. The Buyer will have been told how much it would cost, advised on the likelihood of success, and s/he then instructed the solicitor to send the letter at that price.

The Seller's solicitor is passing the communication on (no charge). If the Seller wants advice on how to respond, she needs to instruct her solicitor to advise - (advice would probably be "ignore the CF") and the solicitor will then charge for the advice.

Solicitors don't give free advice and they don't invent work just to make money. They follow their client's instructions.

It riles me up no end how people on MN slag off solicitors, when they clearly have no understanding of how the profession works.

Don't wish to derail, but as OP seems to have got what she needs from the thread, I am happy to have that off my chest.

Momoftwoscallywags · 23/04/2025 15:27

My friend's had this several years ago. Completed in the spring to a rather exhausting FTB, who had kept coming back on several follow up visits after offer, to check on things and measure up for curtains etc. Kept bringing her "builder" Dad as well, as she needed to "cost" for the "improvements" she wanted to make. My friends had a new born so it got tiring, real fast and they ended up being unaccomadating on several occasions and the estate agent had to step in.

6 months after completion and it's now early winter, my friends get a letter from the FTB saying that they needed to pay for a new gas central heating system as, apparently, they MUST have known that the system was not working when they sold her the house.
My friends were shocked as they had never had any problems with the heating system (which they most definately would have noticed with a newborn!) and had provided evidence that it was regularly serviced to the FTB's solicitor.

Anyway the FTB took them to court, where the Judge just asked my friends if the heating system was working when they lived there, to which they said yes. He then told the FTB she shouldn’t be abusing the small claims court by using it to harass people because she couldn't grasp the concept that properties cost money to repair and maintain, as apparently she had tested the heating when she first moved in and it was working fine then!

TizerorFizz · 23/04/2025 15:28

I would also assume the op has paid the solicitor too. It’s not an open account, so is chargeable.

Cakeandusername · 23/04/2025 15:29

They are either very naive or CF. I wonder if they are used to buying new build or family are and things mentioned would fall in snagging.
Either ignore or say sale completed 18/4/25. No issues raised prior to sale, I’ll not be entering into further correspondence.

AthWat · 23/04/2025 15:30

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 15:15

Thank you @Harassedevictee I've had a good read. Very insightful. People are nuts!

I was wondering if I should have mentioned somewhere "small chip on kitchen cabinet door, hairline crack in bathroom floor tile x 2 etc" but I don't know where you'd start and end with all of that, let alone where you'd put it on any of the forms. So there has to be caveat emptor - as well as not telling porkies if asked straight up questions.

There's no assumption when you sell anything, let alone a house, that it is in perfect unblemished condition. Unfortunately the modern trend of "if it's not perfect, take it back and demand a full refund" has convinced a lot of idiots that used goods carry the same sort of guarantees as something brand new from a shop. Exceptionally stupid and ill-informed people extend this to second hand cars, and the occasional absolute idiot thinks it applies to houses.

Mumofferal3 · 23/04/2025 15:32

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 08:41

Recently moved. My buyers have put together a list of things that they think need fixing and want me to contribute to them. They got their solicitor to send it to mine. They didn't have a survey done, other than for valuation purposes, and only came to see the property once. They asked no questions about the state of anything, even though I offered to answer any questions they might have.

The property was in really lovely condition IMO obviously. I left it spotlessly clean and there wasn't a scrap of anything that shouldn't have been there left. There's no damp or anything concerning and all the appliances work properly. I also left all the instruction manuals, guarantees and useful information.

Their list has things like replacing a chipped cupboard door, replacing a misted double glazed window, replacing fridge and freezer drawers because the plastic has cracked in some places, replacing cracked tiles on the bathroom floor, replacing some of the paving stones that have become discoloured outside etc. None of these things were hidden or concealed when they viewed my place.

I've moved quite a few times now and I've never had this before. Is this normal nowadays? Do I just politely decline to contribute or is this a thing now?

Sorry is this after completion?

If it is, i would decline.

If it is prior to completion and it risks the sale, then only you can decide if it is worth doing or offer a reduction.

FlowerFairy12 · 23/04/2025 15:32

😂 😂 😂 What a pair of chancers!!

Just ignore them OP. It was sold as seen and more fool them for cheaping out on having a proper survey. We made that mistake as first time buyers and it’s why we ended up having to have a full rewire. Never made that mistake again. We pulled out of another house purchase after an all singing all dancing survey which cost £800 after it showed a whole host of problems.

As I said, it’s their problem now.

Littlebrick · 23/04/2025 15:33

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 08:50

@Ineffable23 my solicitor said she was passing on a message received from the buyers solicitor. No advice offered at this stage. However, she was very clear when I was buying my place that I needed to satisfy myself about the condition of the property I was buying as there was little option to negotiate afterwards unless things were deliberately concealed or mis-sold. I had a full survey done and asked lots of questions about things that looked like they were broken or damaged.

And rather than ask your solicitor for her professional al advice given she knows the ins and outs, you came straight to mumsnet?

QuinionsRainbow · 23/04/2025 15:34

Are you in England, OP?

If so, didn't you have to exchange:

TA6; Property information form
and
TA10; Fittings and contents form

with your buyer and your vendor?

Tedious to fill in, but necessary protection for all parties.
I'm surprised your solicitor got the transactions through without these.

Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 15:38

@QuinionsRainbow yes in England and all those forms were filled out.

Indeed I did @Littlebrick . If I start asking my solicitor advice now, I will be incurring extra expense as the file is closed. I thought it was worth asking here first and it would appear it has definitely been worth asking.

OP posts:
Harassedevictee · 23/04/2025 15:39

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 15:15

Thank you @Harassedevictee I've had a good read. Very insightful. People are nuts!

I was wondering if I should have mentioned somewhere "small chip on kitchen cabinet door, hairline crack in bathroom floor tile x 2 etc" but I don't know where you'd start and end with all of that, let alone where you'd put it on any of the forms. So there has to be caveat emptor - as well as not telling porkies if asked straight up questions.

No need to mention chips, scuffs, cracked tiles etc. unless asked. If you want a pristine house you buy a new one.

BangersAndGnash · 23/04/2025 15:40

QuinionsRainbow · 23/04/2025 15:34

Are you in England, OP?

If so, didn't you have to exchange:

TA6; Property information form
and
TA10; Fittings and contents form

with your buyer and your vendor?

Tedious to fill in, but necessary protection for all parties.
I'm surprised your solicitor got the transactions through without these.

I have bought and sold 5 times and don’t remember a crack in one of the freezer drawers having a tick box?

Littlebrick · 23/04/2025 15:42

Has the buyer met your neighbours yet?!

Jenkibuble · 23/04/2025 15:42

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 08:41

Recently moved. My buyers have put together a list of things that they think need fixing and want me to contribute to them. They got their solicitor to send it to mine. They didn't have a survey done, other than for valuation purposes, and only came to see the property once. They asked no questions about the state of anything, even though I offered to answer any questions they might have.

The property was in really lovely condition IMO obviously. I left it spotlessly clean and there wasn't a scrap of anything that shouldn't have been there left. There's no damp or anything concerning and all the appliances work properly. I also left all the instruction manuals, guarantees and useful information.

Their list has things like replacing a chipped cupboard door, replacing a misted double glazed window, replacing fridge and freezer drawers because the plastic has cracked in some places, replacing cracked tiles on the bathroom floor, replacing some of the paving stones that have become discoloured outside etc. None of these things were hidden or concealed when they viewed my place.

I've moved quite a few times now and I've never had this before. Is this normal nowadays? Do I just politely decline to contribute or is this a thing now?

They had NO survey and they both have eyes so would have seen stuff if unconcealed as you said.

NO chance !
Block them !
It isnt as if they can give you a bad review on Trust Pilot / Tirp advisor is it?

TizerorFizz · 23/04/2025 15:43

They contacted the solicitor. Not the op.

Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 15:43

@Littlebrick what neighbours?

OP posts:
vickylou78 · 23/04/2025 15:43

Agree with everyone. Just ignore this. You buy it sold as seen.

Littlebrick · 23/04/2025 15:44

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 15:43

@Littlebrick what neighbours?

Well the neighbours of your flat you sold?

Littlebrick · 23/04/2025 15:47

Were the buyers very difficult in the buying process?

Original poster
MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 15:52

No, it was a straight forward buying process @Littlebrick usual back and forth between solicitors. The only surprising thing from my perspective was the lack of second viewing or a survey other than a valuation one.

OP posts:
AngelicKaty · 23/04/2025 15:53

Littlebrick · 23/04/2025 15:42

Has the buyer met your neighbours yet?!

How would OP know if her buyers have met her old neighbours yet? And what difference would this make, even if she did?

Margaretaw · 23/04/2025 15:56

https://propertysaviour.co.uk/bought-a-house-with-undisclosed-problems/

The onus is on the buyer to investigate these matters before proceeding. They would have to prove that these issues were deliberately hidden to stand any chance of success. From what you’ve written it doesn’t sound like they have a leg to stand on.

Have You Bought a House With Undisclosed Problems? | 2025

Undisclosed problems can be a nightmare for house buyers. What to do if problems are discovered after purchasing the property?

https://propertysaviour.co.uk/bought-a-house-with-undisclosed-problems/

AngelicKaty · 23/04/2025 15:58

MargoLivebetter · 23/04/2025 15:52

No, it was a straight forward buying process @Littlebrick usual back and forth between solicitors. The only surprising thing from my perspective was the lack of second viewing or a survey other than a valuation one.

The daughter of a friend of mine completed her first house purchase last week. She had a survey done, but only viewed the house once (she has a very demanding job with lots of travel). She's very pleased with her purchase except, having cleaned the carpets four times (the vendors had two large dogs), she's now conceded they will have to be replaced. Unsurprisingly, because she's an intelligent young woman, she isn't going after her vendor to stump up the cost. It could also be because she's not a CF. 😂

Tinyrabbit · 23/04/2025 16:00

Houses are sold "as is" unless they're new and/or have some kind of builder's guarantee. It entirely on the buyer to have a survey done and satisfy themselves as to the condition of the house.
The absolute nerve !

JoshLymanSwagger · 23/04/2025 16:18

My list - when we moved in <cough> 20 yrs ago...
All the keys for the house (except one set) were left unlabelled in the kitchen drawer...but they didn't include those to the gates either side of the house Hmm ;
The plumbing for the dishwasher had vanished - lucky we didn't own one and still don't ;
The loft ladder had also disappeared;
The previous owner ordered a load of crap from a catalogue company (think "Freemans" but not them) about 2 wks after we moved in, which DH took in because it was dark and he didn't read the label 🤬 I phoned the cat company then sent it back with their free returns label and got a receipt from the Post Office couple of months later the police arrive wanting to know why I've impersonated the stupid old bat and fraudulently bought stuff in her name 🤯 I'd kept the PO receipt so they were OK ish ...she thought she sold the house 1 month before she did - and didn't pay the gas/electric bill - Got the Police to phone her and tell her to settle it before it went to Court - at which point they stopped saying she was a loverly old dear who was a retired nurse and decided not to get involved any further and drove off...

My best advice - tell your solicitor to politely tell them to bugger off.