Selling house & Inspection pit in Garage
Discussion
I have recently exchanged contracts on our property and whilst I was clearing the garage it dawned on me that the new owners don't know about the inspection pit in the garage as my car lives in the garage and sits on top of it.
The inspection pit has been built properly and has a small ladder into it, and as someone who likes to work on the cars has been quite useful.
Its probably a bit late now but should I have declared it? I wasn't asked about it and they have carried out a survey. I'm happy to infill it but I would rather not as I have quite a lot to get done prior to moving.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
The inspection pit has been built properly and has a small ladder into it, and as someone who likes to work on the cars has been quite useful.
Its probably a bit late now but should I have declared it? I wasn't asked about it and they have carried out a survey. I'm happy to infill it but I would rather not as I have quite a lot to get done prior to moving.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated
Thank you
.On completion day -
We leave a print-out in the kitchen for the buyers.
Bin collection days.
Internet speeds with the current provider.
4G / 5G speeds with different providers.
Hidden plug socket locations.
Any tips about local services.
And so on.
I would include, " Take care in the garage around the inspection pit"
It goes some way to covering yourself re the safety aspect and there's something in writing to photo before you finally leave.
The way I see house sales is that it's very much like buying / selling a second hand car.
The buyer in particular has not bought the house blind.
1) They've had the opportunity to view.
2) A surveyor has had the opportunity to survey whether the buyer instructed this or didn't.
Jordan247 said:
It’s probably a bit late now but should I have declared it? I wasn't asked about it and they have carried out a survey. I'm happy to infill it but I would rather not as I have quite a lot to get done prior to moving.
Do you know it wasn’t already noted in their survey? Few sellers get to see the purchasers survey document unless they are using it as leverage. As an aside, I’d have been pretty disappointed if the pit wasn’t in your agents sales description. It would have been a great USP (to admittedly a relatively small sector of buyers). If you are that bothered, ask your agents advice as to what you should do; that’s what you are paying them for.
RGG said:
On completion day -
We leave a print-out in the kitchen for the buyers.
Bin collection days.
Internet speeds with the current provider.
4G / 5G speeds with different providers.
Hidden plug socket locations.
Any tips about local services.
And so on.
I would include, " Take care in the garage around the inspection pit"
It goes some way to covering yourself re the safety aspect and there's something in writing to photo before you finally leave.
The way I see house sales is that it's very much like buying / selling a second hand car.
The buyer in particular has not bought the house blind.
1) They've had the opportunity to view.
2) A surveyor has had the opportunity to survey whether the buyer instructed this or didn't.
I guess it depends on how things are presented. If the pit was clearly visible in the garage and the Surveyor didn't pick it up then that's on the buyer, but if it was hidden with boxes or a car and the OP didn't remove the car for the survey then I think it courtesy to mention it's existence, I certainly would.We leave a print-out in the kitchen for the buyers.
Bin collection days.
Internet speeds with the current provider.
4G / 5G speeds with different providers.
Hidden plug socket locations.
Any tips about local services.
And so on.
I would include, " Take care in the garage around the inspection pit"
It goes some way to covering yourself re the safety aspect and there's something in writing to photo before you finally leave.
The way I see house sales is that it's very much like buying / selling a second hand car.
The buyer in particular has not bought the house blind.
1) They've had the opportunity to view.
2) A surveyor has had the opportunity to survey whether the buyer instructed this or didn't.
We bought a house where the vendor wouldn't let us look in the loft (3 viewings), We didn't push it, but felt it was a bit odd. I instructed our surveyor that we'd not seen in the loft and they had to inspect it as part of the process. Transpires there was a full recording studio up there with soundproof room. Caused quite a few issues as it had been built on the ceiling joists and weighed a ton, it delayed the purchase by several weeks.
My view is - if it was visible during the viewings and survey then the OP doesn't need to do anything, but if was hidden by a car or other stuff then the OP should at least let them know. I really can't see what issue it would cause (I'd love a garage with a pit) but there are some odd people about and you don't want to find out they're unhappy at the end of the process or after they've bought it.
Wacky Racer said:
My dad built an inspection pit in his garage, when I was about six. It used to fill up about six inches with water,
I remember him inspecting his FX4 black cab wearing wellingtons,
It was boarded over with short planks.
Mine does too - always very careful when using power tools.....I remember him inspecting his FX4 black cab wearing wellingtons,
It was boarded over with short planks.
RGG said:
On completion day -
We leave a print-out in the kitchen for the buyers.
Bin collection days.
Internet speeds with the current provider.
4G / 5G speeds with different providers.
Hidden plug socket locations.
Any tips about local services.
And so on.
I would include, " Take care in the garage around the inspection pit"
It goes some way to covering yourself re the safety aspect and there's something in writing to photo before you finally leave.
The way I see house sales is that it's very much like buying / selling a second hand car.
The buyer in particular has not bought the house blind.
1) They've had the opportunity to view.
2) A surveyor has had the opportunity to survey whether the buyer instructed this or didn't.
I feel this is sufficient. We leave a print-out in the kitchen for the buyers.
Bin collection days.
Internet speeds with the current provider.
4G / 5G speeds with different providers.
Hidden plug socket locations.
Any tips about local services.
And so on.
I would include, " Take care in the garage around the inspection pit"
It goes some way to covering yourself re the safety aspect and there's something in writing to photo before you finally leave.
The way I see house sales is that it's very much like buying / selling a second hand car.
The buyer in particular has not bought the house blind.
1) They've had the opportunity to view.
2) A surveyor has had the opportunity to survey whether the buyer instructed this or didn't.
No point raising a point that really isn't for contention, but IF raised now, could be!
Thanks for all of the response.
I think having given is some consideration I will fix the boarding which covers it down to the floor so it will remove the risk of anyone accidently moving it and having an accident. On the paperwork I leave for them (info on where the Stop-cock is, who the neighbours are etc) will mention it
I think having given is some consideration I will fix the boarding which covers it down to the floor so it will remove the risk of anyone accidently moving it and having an accident. On the paperwork I leave for them (info on where the Stop-cock is, who the neighbours are etc) will mention it
Are you not over thinking this a bit?
I've bought a couple of houses now that have had an inspection pit in the garage - never even gave it a second thought tbh as it's a pretty normal thing to have.
If someone's daft enough to remove the planks and fall down the hole then I don't see how that's anything to do with you? No different to someone opening an upstairs window and falling out.
I've bought a couple of houses now that have had an inspection pit in the garage - never even gave it a second thought tbh as it's a pretty normal thing to have.
If someone's daft enough to remove the planks and fall down the hole then I don't see how that's anything to do with you? No different to someone opening an upstairs window and falling out.
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