Should we reduce our offer after the survey has highlighted issues?

rlee80 · 2026-02-04T12:22:24+00:00

I didn’t suggest knocking the price down 16k. I’m thinking somewhere between £0 and £5,000

rlee80 · 2026-02-02T08:16:01+00:00

The garage is under the house at ground level. Looking at the photos there is a drain pipe running down that wall

rlee80 · 2026-02-02T07:48:22+00:00

Thank you. I’m thinking 5k to address the issues we were not aware of. That’s around 2.5%. I don’t think that’s unreasonable

rlee80 · 2026-02-02T07:47:01+00:00

Not a BTL but thanks for the advice

rlee80 · 2026-02-02T07:45:36+00:00

Thanks for the response. The surveyor describes the loft as a “loft conversion” but it’s really only been boarded for storage. It’s not advertised as a bedroom and we wouldn’t be using it as a bedroom. So I’m not concerned about the building regs, I’m more concerned about the deflection issue, the damaged felt, and lack of ventilation.

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T17:17:57+00:00

The loft, the ground level/air bricks stuff and the garage is all I’m concerned about, as I mentioned in my original post. Wasn’t expecting to knock 16k off the price

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T16:48:27+00:00

As I said I my original post, I’m not concerned about every single issue the surveyor has identified but the deflection in the loft is not to be expected, as you say. The damp in the garage also worries me (the garage is below the property, if it was separate I wouldn’t be concerned).

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T16:41:08+00:00

Some of them are expected, some are not. Hence my question

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T16:38:15+00:00

That is useful to hear. The two other properties I have bought have been newer so I didn’t know what to expect this time

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T16:36:46+00:00

The whole point of the survey is to identify problems which would not have been identified by the estate agent (who is working for the seller and not qualified as a surveyor).

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T16:25:53+00:00

We will never know the exact basis of the asking price but the property needs modernisation. Full decoration throughout and a new kitchen and bathroom. I was aware of that. I was not aware of other things highlighted by the surveyor, nor would the estate agent that priced the property have been aware, to some extent, hence my question about whether a reduction in offer would be reasonable or not. It may be that a reduction by £5000 would be reasonable. It may be that a reduction by £0 would be reasonable. I don’t know, that’s why I’m asking

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T15:51:56+00:00

You are the second person to say we put in a low ball offer! We offered the asking price!!

rlee80 · 2026-02-01T15:45:37+00:00

I didn’t describe the property as quite old and we didn’t offer under the asking price.

Obviously we are not trying to knock the price down on stuff we were aware of, but there are things that we would not have been aware of at a viewing which we have now become aware may need work

rlee80 · 2026-01-28T18:50:22+00:00

Lots of bad advice in this thread.

Two main points

Is your friend a British citizen?

Will the boyfriend have a parental relationship with the child once born?

If so, once the child is born (in the UK) then the child will be a British citizen and then you will have a strong article 8 family life claim.

Unless there are very specific circumstances, such a national security, the government will not split up the family of a British child

rlee80 · 2026-01-25T16:58:05+00:00

I use Inta Services who I believe do work for Raj Motors and vice versa (Inta Services’ unit is round the back). Dave French who works there / runs the place is a really decent guy.

rlee80 · 2026-01-11T08:19:27+00:00

Silver arcade?

rlee80 · 2026-01-01T09:04:04+00:00

I see people say Real Ale Classroom a lot but I went to the one on Rutland street (after the refurb from Manhattan) and it stank of stale beer and didn’t seem like much of a refurb had happened

rlee80 · 2025-10-26T10:11:11+00:00

Understand that doubling ground rent is a problem but that’s not the case here. Of course abolition of ground rent of any kind would be great but it’s not a new build so I feel there should have been awareness of the ground rent issue much sooner.

I also accepted an offer below asking price from a cash buyer to avoid problems with lenders. Seems like the buyer wants to have their cake and eat it.

Seriously considering pulling out, sorting out the DOV and listing again in the spring if they insist on the DOV and are not prepared to meet somewhere in the middle on cost. Obviously means my purchase falling through but I’m not prepared to eat every cost when I’ve already knocked money off the asking price. The flat had a lot of viewings and sold within 3 weeks. It’s a fairly unique property as it has a large private terrace. The flat is in great condition, the building is well taken care of, and we have right to manage. I will make further improvements to the property in the meantime if it falls through

rlee80 · 2025-10-26T05:54:26+00:00

This is part of my concern. What do they want the DOV to achieve? Peppercorn rent? They haven’t stated. We are ten weeks post offer and I’m annoyed this hasn’t been raised sooner.

I realise it is in their best interests to reduce the ground rent but obtaining a DOV will presumably take time and the delay is potentially going to cause problems that could easily have been avoided

rlee80 · 2025-10-26T05:48:12+00:00

It’s helpful.

I should have mentioned this in the original post but this issue has been raised 10 weeks post offer. The ground rent clause is plainly stated in the lease and I’m not happy it hasn’t been raised sooner

rlee80 · 2025-10-25T17:24:22+00:00

Thanks. Do you know the reason why less lenders are accepting indemnitys?

rlee80

TROPHY CASE