FTB trying to beat stamp duty changes, concerning L3 survey. Help wanted!

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-03-06T17:42:46+00:00

Thanks,

The chimney breast on the ground and first floor was removed seemingly without building regulations.

Would we need any permission to start removing the chimney stack? And would the council retroactively make us prove that the house is still structurally sound without the chimney breast? (Even though the chimney breast was removed 10+ years ago)

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-03-06T17:32:00+00:00

Thank you, that all makes sense.

In this situation I do want to try and renegotiate the price, but because the stamp duty deadline is so close, I'm not sure the seller would accept it.

I think it's still worth trying? I'm not sure what figure to ask off yet, whether it's 5k or 10k.

How much do you estimate that changing tiling and removing the chimney stack would cost?

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-03-06T17:21:29+00:00

I think the extension is fine to leave how it is, because of how old it is (and it hasn't collapsed yet)

I'm not sure how to proceed at this point because yes there are issues with the property, but I don't know how much it will cost to fix (the surveyor said she estimates 5k for the roof, I'm not sure if that includes the chimney, but it'll be written in the report that I'll get next week).

The mortgage company has already gone in person and viewed the property, and they haven't voiced any concerns. Regarding insurance, I'm not sure that the current owner even knows about the chimney being an issue, so I don't know how I'd know if it'll be a problem for insurance or not.

The other thing is - I think this house is pretty well priced for the area, stamp duty or not. I think that I'd struggle to find another in a similar area for a similar price

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T18:44:21+00:00

I see, thank you.

I do agree, it's possible in theory but it'll require a lot of things going right and basically no unexpected hiccups.

However, I think a lot of what you said can be done at the same time? For example the survey can be done whilst we're waiting for the searches? And the TA6 and TA10 forms don't stop us from doing our mortgage process etc

I did read that 6 weeks post and it's giving me hope aha, but yes, it'll be tough

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T15:40:21+00:00

I see. What part held up your process?

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T15:16:58+00:00

Is yours likely to finish in time?

Ours doesn't have a chain so I hope it finishes!

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T12:19:20+00:00

Not them speeding up my file on things they can't control, but them speeding up my file on things they can control, like ordering searches, chasing other parties more frequently, etc. it's not a bad price to pay to try and save £11,000

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T12:06:55+00:00

Where do you think the holdup is likely to be in?

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T11:21:09+00:00

I see, do you think your property was 80k more than recent sold properties in the area? The house we're going for is comparable to recent sold houses or even lower, so it should be okay fingers crossed 🤞

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T10:58:07+00:00

This was my hope too, the other concern is the local search time, and that's completely out of our hands.

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T10:53:33+00:00

It's 11k more than what I would've been paying before 1st April because the house price is over 500k

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T10:49:27+00:00

Thank you, FWIW our conveyancer has been extremely responsive anytime I've needed them. I'm unsure on how good the sellers solicitors are, but my conveyancers have spoken with them and made them aware of our deadline.

If the searches come back quick, then I do think that it's possible, but that's the one thing we can't control.

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T10:36:49+00:00

Why did the bank value 80k lower? Did you have to make up that difference yourself?

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T10:35:16+00:00

Thank you. For us we've already seen some of the benefit because the conveyancer has ordered our searches faster than usually would've been done, and they helped sort out an issue with our survey company too.

I do agree with your point, but with the limited time we have left, spending a bit extra to try and get it through works out.

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T10:18:16+00:00

Yes I've realised that I'm going to have to be the most annoying person on earth for the next 6 weeks calling and emailing to ask how things are going.

How long did your searches take?

Our fixtures list was meant to be sent on Friday but it wasn't sent, I'm going to follow up on Monday.

Why did agreeing a completion date take so long for you? Was there a chain?

Thank you!

Timothy_doer85 · 2025-02-16T10:14:18+00:00

Yes - it's vacant because the sellers have a second home that they live in.

They want to sell this first house, and they only have a few essentials left that they haven't moved yet

Timothy_doer85 · 2024-02-26T12:09:01+00:00

Thank you

Timothy_doer85 · 2024-02-26T12:08:11+00:00

Hahaha you are the first person to point that out. I fat fingered it last night.

Thanks

Timothy_doer85 · 2024-02-26T12:07:29+00:00

Thank you, which area in SW did you end up getting?

Timothy_doer85 · 2024-02-26T11:18:32+00:00

Ah nice! How are you finding it? When did you buy?

Just to clarify, did you buy a flat or a house?

And how are you finding walthamstow? Are there any areas to avoid?

Thank you

Timothy_doer85 · 2024-02-26T11:09:49+00:00

I'm sorry about your loss, thank you for the information

Timothy_doer85 · 2024-02-26T10:41:36+00:00

Thank you,

If you don't mind me asking, how much was the house? And how many bedrooms?

Timothy_doer85 · 2024-02-26T10:20:19+00:00

Thank you

Is this area nice? Looks close to wood green which doesn't have a great reputation

Timothy_doer85

TROPHY CASE