bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:48 pm  

i'm selling my house and the buyers survey has come back. everythings fine except he says the house will need a new slate roof in 5 years. he says the trusses,lathes and slates are fine and says because there are 14 copper straps on the roof its a sign the roof is coming to the end of its life.that, as we know, is a load of rubbish.
two specialist roofers have given me a report that says the roof is perfectly fine and will last for years.
is it possible to get an insurance to cover the roof? i have no idea where to go with this

thanks

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:56 pm  

All property surveys I've had done have said the roof will / may need replacing shortly. It is the surveyors protecting themselves normally. Most roofs if undisturbed will last along time. Buyer will try to argue for a discount on agreed price. You'll need to judge the situation and how desperate you are to sell, etc.

In the past I've said to people wanting money off for everything that the property was valued as seen so take it or leave it. As by that stage they've got their mortgage offer, paid the surveyor, run up legal fees, possibly committed to sellinganother place they would not normally drop out unless they are advised it is a show stopper. However, there are no guarantees - just a game of poker.

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 8:56 pm  

I occasionally have blood in my stool.

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:00 pm  

dally thankyou. our new house is agreed and everything is about done. my buyers are first timers who are green and haven't a clue. i'll ring him and have a natter. thanks again

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:02 pm  

Well, more on the surface than actually 'in' it. And sometimes on the paper when I wipe.

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:05 pm  

tad rhino wrote:

dally thankyou. our new house is agreed and everything is about done. my buyers are first timers who are green and haven't a clue. i'll ring him and have a natter. thanks again

They'll be more cautios then so you'll need to take that into acccount. Against that the fees they've already committed will probably be significant to them and they'll be wary of pulling out and having to shell out on surveys etc for a new place. It also depends on your situation - if you are no particular hurry to sell you can call their bluff totally and risk them pulling out. Otherwise, you can make your own point and if necessary show them your roofers reports and offer them a few hundred quid off.

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:07 pm  

Rock God X wrote:

I occasionally have blood in my stool.

Probably all that anal sex you like.

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:08 pm  

they are eager to buy but are worried the roof will fall off in 5 years! we are days from completion and i don't want to lose our new house now. i was hoping some idemnity insurance would help. never had one before though

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:10 pm  

tad rhino wrote:

they are eager to buy but are worried the roof will fall off in 5 years! we are days from completion and i don't want to lose our new house now. i was hoping some idemnity insurance would help. never had one before though

Not sure about the insurance - not something I'm familiar with.

When you say days from completion - have you already exchanged contracts?

Re: bit of legal advice if possible please : Mon Mar 11, 2013 9:12 pm  

tad rhino – Please be aware that, as with boilers and much more, as far as we know, nobody here is qualified to give you professional advice on such a matter.