Selling on a level 3 survey and searches

[trickyex]

I had an offer accepted on a house earlier this year and for various reasons had to pull out of the purchase.
I had a level 3 survey done as well as searches and we weren't far off exchanging contracts.
This was not something I wanted to do but felt I had no option (difficult sellers and some issues with the property which has not been disclosed before).
The house has now sold STC to someone else and I offered the agent to sell on my survey.
The agent has also asked about the buyers also buying the searches results from me.
Could I ask for suggestions on what I might ask for the survey? Is selling on searches a thing and if so again what could I ask?
It cost me £1500 and I paid almost £900 in legal fees so it would be good to recoup some of this.
TIA

The surveyors’s contract and warranty were to you, not anyone to whom you pass on the survey. You might find a buyer willing to risk that but don’t be surprised if their solicitor advises them to get their own survey for their own protection.

Thanks for that. I realise its not ideal but perhaps a contribution might be an option.
Do you know if selling on my searches is viable? The agent mentioned it but no mention of money changing hands.

I have just instructed a level 3 survey on a house we are trying to buy. Personally despite the cost saving I want my own independent survey with a surveyor of my choice. I would not be willing to buy a previous survey. We are asking specific questions about certain things too which I would not be able to if I bought somebody elses.

I think I would be tempted to just offer to give it to them personally. The agent is unlikely to pass it to the new buyer though, so I dont think they should be the conduit. They just want to sell the property, its buyer beware as far as they are concerned. They may have even had an inkling of the potential survey issues and left you to find out for yourselves, or hoped you either wouldn't have a decent survey or wouldn't pull out if the issues were highlighted. They have absolutely no interest in revealing issues to a new buyer.

We had a similar situation a few years ago. Our survey revealed a whole host of unknown issues so we had to pull out. Then the agent asked for a copy of our survey so the seller could see what the issues were. I said yes, if he’s willing to pay at least half of it. It cost us over £1000, so we wanted at least some of that back. Especially as it was his fault the property was in such a bad state from his lack of care.
Never heard back from them so assume the seller didn’t want to pay. We just gave the agent a very very brief summary of a couple of the more major issues, as I know legally they have to pass this info onto any new prospective buyers.
I wouldn’t pass on a survey to anyone without getting something in return for it.

" as I know legally they have to pass this info onto any new prospective buyers "

I didn't know that, but after checking it out your right. If it were me I would probably just pass by email the full survey to the senior agent. In doing so I would feel I might be helping someone else dodge a bullet. I know karma is a bit of a silly concept, but odly, I still do things for the good of strangers occasionally.

Yes, perfectly standard practice if it is still
valid, eg three months I think. Normally 50-75% of what it cost you. Your solicitor is the one that would normally handle this.

I think searches are valid for a time period rather than only for the person initiating the request but solicitor should be able to advise definitively.

I have just pulled out of a purchase after a level 2 survey. The survey cost me £695.

I sold it to the homeowners about a week after I pulled out for £200, this was arranged via the estate agent, who also ensured that I received payment before the survey was sent on.

I don't know if it would be tempting to new buyers, as they wouldn't be covered by the guarantees of the surveyor (ie, if I miss something major you could blame me for it) as the surveyors contract is with you only. In this case it was tempting to the current owners as they wanted to know what had spooked me so they could address it before going back on the market.

Sorry, I hadn't got to the point of completing seraches so that was never discussed. I did find chat gpt very helpful in setting my expectations of what is 'normal' in these negotations and how to phrase things.