Do estate agents have to disclose structural problems?

Do estate agents have to disclose structural problems?

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Mobile Chicane

20,735 posts

211 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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zetec said:
Mobile Chicane said:
I presume that buildings insurance cover is still being provided by the insurance company who coughed up for the remedial work back in 1988.

If so, 'find' a crack somewhere, and call the insurance company, explaining you're concerned that the original problem may have recurred. They'll send their Structural Engineer round, who will issue a detailed report. Obviously this will state that all is well.

Then, send your free survey to the newly appointed Estate Agent.
Thank you for the good advice.

I'm not sure if the cover is still being provided by the original insurance company, my late father dealt with it all at the time, it is worth mentioning this to my Mum though, thank you.
More than likely it will be the original company. Though this may have merged / been acquired.

Reason being that it is difficult to switch buildings insurers once remedial works have been undertaken. Any potential buyer may well be tied in to the current insurer as well.

This isn't as bad as it sounds. In my circumstance the existing insurer provided cover at market rates (although I can't for the life of me remember who the insurer was).



zetec

Original Poster:

4,465 posts

250 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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scenario8 said:
I'd like to see a transcript of that phonecall mentioned above as it would be perverse for an agent to speak like that. I note the OP's reference to the agent wanting to undermine a sale in lieu of a renewed rental agreement, however.

As mentioned previously across a number of threads relating to etsate agency; there appears to be some sort of alternative universe Wild West out there! I only ever seem to come across it on the internet.
Unfortunately there is no transcript.

Another reason for losing trust in this EA is that, yesterday, I took my Mum to the property, the first time she had been there since moving out 20 years ago, the reason for this visit was for her to see the house and to decide if it was worth doing any work to make the house more sellable. Whilst we were there, there was a knock on the door, I answered, a young couple were stood there saying they had the keys to look around (the EA has a set of keys so they can do viewings), there was no EA present at this viewing.

scenario8

6,554 posts

178 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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How on Earth is this agency in business? Quite seriously, how has word of mouth not prevented this agency from operating? Are they unbelievably cheap or something? Reputation is (almost) everything.

zetec

Original Poster:

4,465 posts

250 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
quotequote all
scenario8 said:
How on Earth is this agency in business? Quite seriously, how has word of mouth not prevented this agency from operating? Are they unbelievably cheap or something? Reputation is (almost) everything.
As I have said, this EA has managed the property for the last 20 years, my parents weren't in it to make money, but to keep themselves in the housing market for when my Mum retired and lost the house provided with her job. Any work that needed doing was done, normally by tradesmen hired by the EA. The EA has all receipts for works done and it all appears above board. However, I (and my brother) believe the EA is trying it on knowing that my Mum is now alone as I lost my Dad (who dealt with everything) 2 years ago.

Busa mav

2,554 posts

153 months

Thursday 22nd May 2014
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Mobile Chicane said:
If so, 'find' a crack somewhere, and call the insurance company, explaining you're concerned that the original problem may have recurred. t.
The last thing the OP needs to do is introduce a paper trail of recent suspected structural failures which would all have to be declared .
I would strongly recommend against this action.


Surprised that the usual guys who deny there is any problem with selling an underpinned house aren't jumping in to buy a bargain.

zetec

Original Poster:

4,465 posts

250 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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UPDATE

My Mum changed Estate Agents not long after my last posts on this thread. It was agreed that the house would be taken off the market for a while so it could be seen by a fresh market.

The house was remarketed, new photos and write up etc.

Within a week there had been 4 offers for the full asking price (each offer was made aware of the house's previous issues), my Mum picked a buyer who had a £40k deposit.

There has been a lot of too-ing and fro-ing between solicitors but the purchase completed yesterday.

wseed

1,501 posts

129 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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Good news

AC43

11,433 posts

207 months

Wednesday 1st October 2014
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zetec said:
UPDATE

My Mum changed Estate Agents not long after my last posts on this thread. It was agreed that the house would be taken off the market for a while so it could be seen by a fresh market.

The house was remarketed, new photos and write up etc.

Within a week there had been 4 offers for the full asking price (each offer was made aware of the house's previous issues), my Mum picked a buyer who had a £40k deposit.

There has been a lot of too-ing and fro-ing between solicitors but the purchase completed yesterday.
Excellent. Another triumph of common sense over the witch-burning hysteria that surrounds historical subsidence (and an unscrupulous EA taking full advantage of it....)