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Buyer wants to look under carpets and floorboards - but wants me to pay to put it all back? is this normal

11 replies

Page62 · 07/07/2010 14:01

buyer said survey threw up some damp issues - they want to inspect floor boards in kitchen (where there is wood flooring) and the sitting room (where there is carpet)
the people who will check it out will not put it back together - we need to re-lay it back. In the case of the kitchen, if they damage the wood (can't see how they can't), presumably i will have to re-lay the whole kitchen.
is this normal it feels like a big ask and to be honest, i'm not fussed if the sale falls through if this is a deal breaker.
am i insane, has anyone had a similar experience? thanks

OP posts:
HonestyBox · 07/07/2010 14:15

Does the survey recommend lifting the flooring or is it something the buyer has asked for? Do you have a major damp issue or did it come up when you were buying the house? If the mortgage survey requires it then I guess it will be necessary for the sale to go ahead but if it is just something the buyers want I would refuse. Is the survey pinpointing the damp to these areas? Most houses have their quirks, i.e. a little bit of damp somewhere and unless this amounts to a major structural problem then these are things you just have to accept when buying a house.

I would get the buyers to have a structural survey done if they haven't already.

notasize10yetbutoneday · 07/07/2010 14:18

Agree with HB- dont just talk the buyers word thats what the survey said, ask to see a copy of the survey and only agree to taking up flooring if its recommended in the survey.

Page62 · 07/07/2010 14:21

i think the survey threw up that there might be some damp in floorboards and i think they want to look at it (not clear if this is suggestion of surveyor/damp specialist or them)

we moved in the house 7 yrs ago - and damp was not and has not been an issue

not sure what to do. to re-lay carpet and floorboards in the kitchen and sitting room will cost i reckon £3-4k

OP posts:
noddyholder · 07/07/2010 14:23

I have never heard of this before I think they are being ridiculous and the surveyor is covering his ass!

scurryfunge · 07/07/2010 14:24

Don't do it...if they beieve there is damp they can offer a price that reflects that.

scurryfunge · 07/07/2010 14:24

*believe

NorbertDentressangle · 07/07/2010 14:26

I think the costs/making good after the survey should all fall on the buyer.

When we bought our last house the building society insisted on a full survey. This survey through up potential problems in the roof space but there was no loft hatch to access it.

We had to make a hole in the ceiling so the surveyor could get up there and then "make good" ie. repair ceiling/install proper hatch at our (the potential buyers) expense.

In fact I've just remembered that we had to do a similar thing to expose an RSJ so it could be measured by a surveyor to check it was of the right size to hold up the house!!

NorbertDentressangle · 07/07/2010 14:27

oops that should be "This survey threw up... "

sethstarkaddersmum · 07/07/2010 14:29

given that it's the buyer's survey, surely they have to pay for the making good?

I think they are trying it on tbh.

ReneRusso · 07/07/2010 14:29

I have never heard of anything like this, it's far too disruptive. I think if they want the house, they will have to take a chance on it.

lucykate · 07/07/2010 14:29

say no. if they want to look, by all means they can, but they must pay for carpet to be relaid. if they look, and then pull out, leaves you with no buyer, and wonky carpet. it is a big ask and they're cheeky asking.

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