Friend of acquaintance wants surveys

[kirinm]

We were buying a house and spent about £3k on surveys - we pulled out after 6 months after being strung along with probate and there being quite major structural issues.

The house is big and in a very popular area so it’s had a lot of interest since although I understand the later sale failed too - I expect because of the surveys. It is a very obvious wreck and it was always going to be a back to brick type of place. The structural issues are harder to spot and were identified on the survey - so we ended up paying for a structural engineer and drain survey which is why they all ended up costing so much.

Anyway, acquaintance contacted me to say her friend was looking at buying it and would she mind if I spoke to her. Before I’d responded said person contacted me. I explained very briefly that it’s a house that they should do lots of surveys on and check they have the money to fix the issues that they can’t see.

Next day - can we see your survey before we make an offer. I didn’t respond as I was busy and had work events.

Next day - sorry to pester but can I see the survey asap. i assume you have no use for them now.

Cheeky or not cheeky?

Very cheeky!

I would reiterate the survey was not very good and they should commission their own surveys for peace of mind. You could spout all sorts - t&c of surveyor, data protection, vendor confidentiality etc.

I absolutely would not be sharing it, especially with their last comments in mind.

“Our surveys were invaluable and cost X. You are welcome to buy them from us for Y. Kind regards, Kiri”.

I suppose it's all a matter of opinion, but I think it's ok to ask you about the property, a bit cheeky to ask for surveys, but bloody cheeky to chase you for them in that way. I'd be too busy to answer I'm afraid. If I was pushed again for the answer I'd give them the contact details of the surveyors.

I think it’s cheeky. If you were to give them sight of the surveys and something else was discovered or something went awry, they might try to blame you or the surveyors. If it was someone you didn’t know at all, they wouldn’t have your details and wouldn’t be able to contact you.

It's extremely cheeky. If she wants them she can pay for them!

Why wouldn’t you?

My engineer makes it clear in the terms that the report cannot be shared without their permission, under any circumstances. So technically you’d be in breach if you did. I’d probably do it anyhow for a close friend but for an acquaintance I’d just ignore.

Say yes they can have the survey for £2000 - less than you paid but no way give it to them for free!!

After feeling terribly anxious about it - I feel very awkward about disappointing anyone - I said we had paid a lot of money and if they want them I’d be happy to discuss a contribution, I did say there were 3 surveys (and explained what they were) so you’d hope that a combination of all of the surveys and the fact we didn’t buy it would be enough for her to put 2+2 together).

Fine to ask the first time. I probably would have just shared and not thought more of it. The money was spent anyway so I don't see how it's any skin off my nose to not share the results. Perfectly reasonable for you to feel differently of course.

She became rude when she chased and didn't pick up on the fact you didn't want to share.

It's cheeky to assume you'll just hand them over for free!

You have two potential reply options.

a) "The surveys cost us £3k – would you like my bank details?" or

b) "It's been a while/half a year since the surveys were done so I wouldn't be comfortable letting you rely on the information for a potential purchase. You need to get your own up to date ones done."

I'd go with b), because it's true. If something came up that's occurred since your surveys and they went ahead and bought based on them, I'd worry they'd try to blame you. The persistent asking shows how high-minded they are.

My surveyor would not give me permission to share the survey for the house I didn’t buy. Surveyors have a living to make like anyone else.

Of course you can have the survey. Happy to give you a (25/30/50) % discount on the price we paid.

(Bear in mind that they can take any action against the surveyor on faults not mentioned in a 2nd hand survey).

That's a really good point!

Offering to sell them to her would be a good compromise.
I'd tell her that considering how much money you spent, then if her friend is serious, then you can offer her a good price on the results you have

This is the other point. It’s an empty house that was surveyed a while ago. Anything could’ve happened in that time.

It is all about your appetite for the work. You’re either prepared to take on an old house which is very obviously wrecked or you aren’t.

We used the surveyor for our current house too and he said he was so pleased we hadn’t gone forward with the wreck as it would be so expensive to fix.

I would be worried about the complications if anything was to go wrong if they bought the property. The surveyors contract is with you not anyone else . What if they try to sue the surveyors and their insurance won’t pay out it could fall on your shoulders . I would direct them to the surveyors personally to cover your own skin .

It’s like buying something and photocopying it and giving it to someone else .

This. Nothing comes for free.

They can save a bundle by paying 1/3 of what you paid.

Are they not yours if you pay for them?

You’d give things to a stranger?

Fancy giving me your survey then?!

I'm guessing it's a bit more complicated than that. You have contracted the surveyor and they carry the work on your behalf. So yes, technically you own the surveys but by passing them on to a third party you are opening yourself and the surveyor to potential legal issues if the person finds faults not identified in the surveys once they move in. Not to mention denying the surveyor a second fee.

We bought our survey from the couple who had them done the year previous (fell through because a business sale failed so they couldn’t raise the funds). The liability provided by the surveyor is not transferable so we bought them for £300 (original cost £2500). We just wanted to see them. I would offer the surveys at a discount.

Well I don't have it anymore as it was abouy 8 years ago and this property isn't on the market so not really the same situation.

But yes, I can't see why I wouldn't share the survey with the caveat that another might disagree with the results or things might have got worse. I'm not out of pocket doing that and it's not a property you are interested in anymore so it's no disadvantage to you that way.

Not sure why you are so astounded by that. As I said it's also completely legitimate for you to feel differently and not want to share it.

You could claim you’ve been looking for them? But unfortunately you seem to have cleared them out ( of your inbox/loft) as you weren’t going to proceed with the purchase, so they were no longer any use.

Probably, but I didn’t want to give the survey to total strangers having paid for it. I pulled out because the vendor was trying to rush me and kept threatening to put the house back on the market. I found another house. The vendor had to sell for £10k less than my offer.