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Original poster

Friend of acquaintance wants surveys

211 replies

kirinm · 22/12/2025 10:18

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?

OP posts:
TorroFerney · 22/12/2025 11:09

I think the chasing is horrifically rude however when my mums house sale fell through and their solicitor said “stuff on the survey” I pushed a note through their door and asked if they’d be willing to share the survey and they did. I’m not a rude pushy person at all but it seemed obvious to ask. She’d had two sales that had fallen through and I was doing all the house stuff for her after arranging my dad’s funeral so I was absolutely desperate.

romatheroamer · 22/12/2025 11:11

I'm aware that people do request copies of surveys they haven't paid for and sometimes get them, but the point is that the contract is only between the commissioner and the surveyor so the "borrower" would have no comeback against the surveyor if they bought on the strength of it and sthg was wrong.

caffelattetogo · 22/12/2025 11:11

If it were me I’d share it as a nice thing to do. It’s no skin off your nose. They’ll do their own survey anyway, this is just before they offer, presumably.

GlosGirl82 · 22/12/2025 11:12

Very cheeky and also a liability issue. Do not share.
firstly, the surveyor was instructed and paid for by you - their professional liability is to you and not an unrelated third party. You would be putting them in a dangerous situation if this third party relied on the survey. Secondly, you do not want to provide a survey that this third party may rely on - could get into a liability issue for you also

LemonTT · 22/12/2025 11:13

kirinm · 22/12/2025 10:28

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).

I don’t think you can sell the survey but check the terms. If they were to proceed and then found issues they would have no legal recourse and you could be sued by the surveyor for breaching their contract. The surveyor profession wouldn’t be viable if people started sharing their reports or selling them on. So of course they take action if this happened.

If it is obvious the place needs work and it is probably structural they need their own survey. They shouldn’t make an offer based on yours. They shouldn’t not make an offer based on yours.

Original poster
kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:13

caffelattetogo · 22/12/2025 11:11

If it were me I’d share it as a nice thing to do. It’s no skin off your nose. They’ll do their own survey anyway, this is just before they offer, presumably.

It would worry me. The surveyor and the structural engineer were advising me. If I had advice from a lawyer, I wouldn’t be sharing it.

They’ve already made an offer - actually well over what we offered. They’re happy to pay over asking 🤷🏻‍♀️

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 22/12/2025 11:14

I would pass them on, they have zero value to me now.

If I was the other person, I would accept gratefully and buy you a nice gift of some sort.

Fleurz · 22/12/2025 11:15

Complete cf. I would say I am not comfortable sharing as I do not know what has changed with the house plus it needs a lot of work doing. I would not want you to take ours for granted and then come across issues.

grinchmcgrinchface · 22/12/2025 11:16

Complete cf. i would just tell them you don’t have them anymore.

MySweetGeorgina · 22/12/2025 11:18

Say that legally you cannot pass it on

but they can come over to your house and read through it

(no photos)

DeftWasp · 22/12/2025 11:19

kirinm · 22/12/2025 10:28

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).

I'm an electrician and conduct electrical surveys, just as with structural surveys these documents are only valid between the surveyor and the client - and there is usually something in the fine print that says they cannot be shared or re-sold.

As time has passed things may have changed, and she would have no come back against the surveyor as she would otherwise if she had commissioned the work herself.

In effect what you have is now worthless and should be destroyed, not shared, as it may be inaccurate now.

Original poster
kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:19

I answered a lot of questions honestly but that’s as much as I’m willing to do. I don’t know this person and have no idea of what she will or won’t have done with the survey if I’d have just sent it to her.

OP posts:
Original poster
kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:21

DeftWasp · 22/12/2025 11:19

I'm an electrician and conduct electrical surveys, just as with structural surveys these documents are only valid between the surveyor and the client - and there is usually something in the fine print that says they cannot be shared or re-sold.

As time has passed things may have changed, and she would have no come back against the surveyor as she would otherwise if she had commissioned the work herself.

In effect what you have is now worthless and should be destroyed, not shared, as it may be inaccurate now.

Show quote history

I’m a lawyer and we certainly don’t share advice.

OP posts:
DeftWasp · 22/12/2025 11:22

kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:19

I answered a lot of questions honestly but that’s as much as I’m willing to do. I don’t know this person and have no idea of what she will or won’t have done with the survey if I’d have just sent it to her.

I really wouldn't;t sell or give them to her, as a pp suggested you could let her read (but not copy) them at your home for indicative purposes only.

If I were you I'd delete / tear up the copies, then you have no problem.

CautiousLurker2 · 22/12/2025 11:23

I suspect there is something in the small print that legally binds you to not selling on and sharing the reports as they are the surveyors intellectual property and if this CF acquaintance were to rely on them it puts them in a difficult position.

On that basis I would say ‘ We are not legally permitted to share the survey report with any third party who was not a party to our contract with the surveyor or who was named specifically as an intended recipient of the content therein. Please do not contact us again.’ And block.

GAJLY · 22/12/2025 11:23

I think you've been perfectly cordial. I'd just state there are structural issues and it was enough to.put us off the property. She really needs to pay to have it done professionally, as it's been a while. Then I'd block her. You don't actually owe this stranger anything.

Original poster
kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:24

DeftWasp · 22/12/2025 11:22

I really wouldn't;t sell or give them to her, as a pp suggested you could let her read (but not copy) them at your home for indicative purposes only.

If I were you I'd delete / tear up the copies, then you have no problem.

Show quote history

We don’t have a hard copy now as we did chuck that away. We will have the electronic version somewhere in our emails.

OP posts:
Original poster
kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:25

GAJLY · 22/12/2025 11:23

I think you've been perfectly cordial. I'd just state there are structural issues and it was enough to.put us off the property. She really needs to pay to have it done professionally, as it's been a while. Then I'd block her. You don't actually owe this stranger anything.

Thank you. I definitely have been cordial. Am a bit annoyed with the school mum who passed my info on.

OP posts:
Elektra1 · 22/12/2025 11:25

The answer is that if they rely on your survey in deciding to buy the house, and later discover an issue not identified on the survey, they will have no claom
against the surveyor since surveys are only for the client instructing the surveyor and there is an express exclusion of any liability to third parties. So, regretfully, you say that she should have her own survey done.

Alternatively if - even with that caveat - she wants to look at your surveys because that alone might be enough for her to not want to proceed, then perhaps she’d like to contribute to the cost of the surveys?

Even then, if she were to decide to proceed, she’d need to have her own surveys done in order to have any possible claim for negligence against the surveyors.

Mangelwurzelfortea · 22/12/2025 11:26

I think it's fair enough tbh. It's not like you're using the surveys for any other purpose now. I would be OK with this.

Daygloboo · 22/12/2025 11:30

kirinm · 22/12/2025 10:55

The thing is, if the seller had to produce a survey, would you totally trust it?

Property law in this country and house buying is archaic and a nightmare but I still think id want somebody independent to survey a house for me.

Show quote history

Yeah, I get that, but I think there are so many changes that could be made so that the process could be smoother. Millions and millions of people suffer stress every year in this country buying, selling and renting property just so that a few people can make vast amounts of money. It's a joke.. Too much of our economy is linked to property in UK , which is why politicians wont do anything about it. It's scandalous. I bought a place last year and the money that leaks away because of all the stupid extra things you have to pay for.....that could be done more cheaply and efficiently.....is beyond belief. Serious reform needs to take place. You dont get this in other countries.

GasPanic · 22/12/2025 11:33

This is where greed and selfishness gets the better of most people.

If they'd said, would it be possible to make a contribution to share the results of your surveys I am sure it would have been better received and more likely to produce a positive outcome for them.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 22/12/2025 11:33

I’d pass them on but that’s the way things work where I live - people help each other out, and there’s a lot of relationship building and supporting each other.

The potential buyers couldn’t use them to get a mortgage but they could at least get a sense of the work that needs to be done.

Original poster
kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:37

Elektra1 · 22/12/2025 11:25

The answer is that if they rely on your survey in deciding to buy the house, and later discover an issue not identified on the survey, they will have no claom
against the surveyor since surveys are only for the client instructing the surveyor and there is an express exclusion of any liability to third parties. So, regretfully, you say that she should have her own survey done.

Alternatively if - even with that caveat - she wants to look at your surveys because that alone might be enough for her to not want to proceed, then perhaps she’d like to contribute to the cost of the surveys?

Even then, if she were to decide to proceed, she’d need to have her own surveys done in order to have any possible claim for negligence against the surveyors.

She’s definitely proceeding. She’d already offered over asking and was planning on increasing.

OP posts:
Elektra1 · 22/12/2025 11:43

kirinm · 22/12/2025 11:37

She’s definitely proceeding. She’d already offered over asking and was planning on increasing.

Show quote history

Then she needs her own surveys done, for the reasons already given. As you’re a lawyer you could amp it up even more by referring to Caparo Industries plc v Dickman and other cases on the principle restricting professionals’ liability to their own clients only.