Buying a home and don't know how anything works

[belboid]

Won't that be divided by the number of flats in each block though? Seems a bit high for each flat.


miss direct you could get the council to put a charge in the deeds so you only need to pay for it when you sell the flat if it would be difficult to pay for it.

7k for a roof doesn’t seem bad to me! But it will almost definitely not be that, all depends on size, style, number of flats underneath and a host of other factors. Needs proper checking out for the specific property.

 

[equationgirl]

My solicitor today:
I have drafted the title report and just await an amended contract from the sellers solicitors. If this does not come by 4pm would you like me to send the other documents to you in any event? I can always forward the contract to you separately.

I said yes, please send. I don't know what they mean by "amended contract". Am I nearly there?

There's been some changes or deletions/additions based on the replies from the seller's solicitors. Normal contract negotiation stuff. What you should look out for is a final contract.

 

[Riklet]

What exactly did the survey say about the roof? Did you read it? Or ask for a rundown over the phone?

 

[miss direct]

The survey said nothing about the roof. Yes I did read it.

I will try to chase this on Monday and get some vague idea of the figure. But feeling 70% certain I will go ahead...I really can't face six more months of this limbo (and also paying rent that whole time).

 

[Thora]

Didn't the previous two buyers pull out of this place? I wonder if they discovered the roof issue.

 

[miss direct]

They did. But they didn't seem to get as far into things as I did (I mean it was listed and unlisted and re listed quite quickly).

 

[cybershot]

The survey said nothing about the roof. Yes I did read it.

I will try to chase this on Monday and get some vague idea of the figure. But feeling 70% certain I will go ahead...I really can't face six more months of this limbo (and also paying rent that whole time).

I assume you’re not on the top floor. In which case there was no roof to survey. Obviously these things are council decided and they charge everyone in the building a percentage of the works. I’d say once it’s spread out amongst the residents it’s probably not going to be that huge a dent, but it depends on the total cost. E.g Couple's fury over £12k council bill for repairs they never asked for

One other way of looking at it is the council could have decided to spring this 12 months after you’d moved in. You’d have no choice or say in the matter then. You’re in and you’d have to just cough up. It’s how flats work unfortunately.

 

[miss direct]

Thanks. Yes. Had a good chat with a friend who also bought ex council and she had a similar perspective.

I thought this would have come out at the searches stage though, seems so late to find out something so major.

 

[cybershot]

I edited my last post after you’d liked it so you may want to view the link as that sort of stuff is the worst case type scenario. You could probably just call the council yourself and find out or there may already be something on the council website.

 

[sheothebudworths]

The survey said nothing about the roof. Yes I did read it.

I will try to chase this on Monday and get some vague idea of the figure. But feeling 70% certain I will go ahead...I really can't face six more months of this limbo (and also paying rent that whole time).

If I remember rightly, you didn't have a full survey done (so, not for the external bit of the building - just for your flat)?
Do NOT rush this bit, it's really important that you have the full picture of the work to be done and the costs that may be involved.

 

[miss direct]

I edited my last post after you’d liked it so you may want to view the link as that sort of stuff is the worst case type scenario. You could probably just call the council yourself and find out or there may already be something on the council website.

I will call them on Monday, somebody kindly shared the number above. I haven't actually had a chance to properly read the massive pack I've been sent yet.

Still annoyed about the boiler too.

 

[miss direct]

If I remember rightly, you didn't have a full survey done (so, not for the external bit of the building - just for your flat)?
Do NOT rush this bit, it's really important that you have the full picture of the work to be done and the costs that may be involved.

That's right. I am unsure a survey would have shown anything anyway - the council is redoing all the rooves.

 

[sheothebudworths]

If I remember rightly, you didn't have a full survey done (so, not for the external bit of the building - just for your flat)?
Do NOT rush this bit, it's really important that you have the full picture of the work to be done and the costs that may be involved.

ETA - Fwiw, I don't think you should have had a full survey done because you are not the freeholder.
But future works need to be paid lots of attention to and I would've thought should've been highlighted earlier.

 

[cybershot]

As per of your massive pack there is probably a leasehold handbook thing. For example here is Birmingham’s one. For comparison section 4 and major works says anything that will cost over £250 they have to consult you about, and section 5 details how you pay for all service charges and major work. If the previous owners have been consulted and know a major cost is incoming then the you should have the details of this from them, especially as I would suspect the consultation period has way passed. Their sale could be their way of getting out of paying for major repairs they can’t afford to pay for.

if it’s gonna be massive you want to make sure you know about it.

https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/download/downloads/id/2819/council_leaseholders_handbook.pdf

 

[Glitter]

I will call them on Monday, somebody kindly shared the number above. I haven't actually had a chance to properly read the massive pack I've been sent yet.

Still annoyed about the boiler too.

I don’t know about the rest but if they still own it they have time to sort the boiler out.

 

[miss direct]

Yes, assuming I go ahead I will be asking for it to be serviced (as I asked back in March as the annual service was due at the end of March and got a positive answer from the estate agent!) I found out what the charge thing was - they signed up to some boiler scheme which lasts until 2023 (pay annually) but it should be cancelled once it's sold.

 

[cybershot]

It could also be the outstanding charge on the flat is other major works the sellers haven’t paid off. So the council want that as part of the sale. See section 5 in the Birmingham version I linked too.

ETA: you’ve found out what the charge was. Posted at same time. But yeah if you can’t afford to pay for major repairs. That’s the other way of council recouping the money down the line.

also lol. If the boiler is part of some
Cover scheme. It should be getting serviced as part of that scheme and won’t cost them an extra penny. Sigh.

 

[danski]

I wonder, if the sale fell through twice previously, this time they held back on mentioning the roof until last knockings?
I am naturally suspicious, unfortunately.

 

[miss direct]

So on Monday I will call the estate agent.

I'm thinking of renegotiating on the price. My initial offer is £3350 over what the estate agent told me they were looking for. I see no reason for paying this extra considering I now have to get carpets in the living room, stairs, and hall (was willing to let that slide before) and this potentially huge unknown sum for a new roof. The property is empty and looks rubbish now (compared to first viewing) - I can't see them backing out at this stage. Is this a wise thing to ask for?

 

[Puddy_Tat]

Is this a wise thing to ask for?

Hard to say.

If the sale has already fallen through twice (and they knew there were problems they were keeping quiet about) then they might be keen to take the money and be done with it.

They might tell you to bugger off and try and reel someone else in. Depends if you're prepared to take this risk.

The whole system, where you've put this much time, effort and money in to the process and only now find out, is shit.



it's just possible there may be a legal argument to tell freeholder to stuff it if they have decided they are replacing all roofs as a matter of policy, rather than any actual need to, but I'm not anything like expert here. May be worth seeking advice, though.

 

[cybershot]

So on Monday I will call the estate agent.

I'm thinking of renegotiating on the price. My initial offer is £3350 over what the estate agent told me they were looking for. I see no reason for paying this extra considering I now have to get carpets in the living room, stairs, and hall (was willing to let that slide before) and this potentially huge unknown sum for a new roof. The property is empty and looks rubbish now (compared to first viewing) - I can't see them backing out at this stage. Is this a wise thing to ask for?

Depends how serious you are. They will say no and call your bluff. At which point you go back and say reduce or i'm pulling out, if they again say no, you have to be prepared to seriously withdraw your offer and hope at this point they back down and agree. Otherwise everyone goes back to step one. You need to make the right choice for you, I know you've said it's not your forever home, but equally you don't want your not forever home costing you a fortune in major works the council decide to do at the drop of a hat, because health and safety.

How long can you realistically stay with your mum if this falls through, you'd be starting from scratch and lose the money you've spent on surveys and searches (which could be next to nothing in the grand scheme of things as you could consider in long run this information has saved you money)

If you do decide to pull out, maybe look for a house next time that is freehold, then when you need to repair the roof, it's because it actually needs repairing, and your home insurance will probably assist with costs*. Maybe.

*Depends on insurer, level of insurance and state/age of the roof

There's probably nothing wrong with the roof, but councils like to be seen doing things and spending tax payers money. No doubt at some point within 10 years they will replace the windows, again regardless of if you need them or not.

 

[colacubes]

So on Monday I will call the estate agent.

I'm thinking of renegotiating on the price. My initial offer is £3350 over what the estate agent told me they were looking for. I see no reason for paying this extra considering I now have to get carpets in the living room, stairs, and hall (was willing to let that slide before) and this potentially huge unknown sum for a new roof. The property is empty and looks rubbish now (compared to first viewing) - I can't see them backing out at this stage. Is this a wise thing to ask for?

Yes. But be prepared to walk away if they don’t accept. You don’t have to but have a serious think about the cost implications. I know living in shared housing is frustrating and annoying when your housemates are dicks or selfish, but this is probably the most money you will ever have and will spend in your life. Try to take immediate emotion out and think long term. If you pull out you will lose a bit of money on solicitors, but better that than buying a never ending money pit you move to out of frustration.

 

[miss direct]

I cant stay with my Mum. I'm staying at hers while she is away.

Really appreciate the replies. It's really hard doing this all on my own.

 

[colacubes]

I cant stay with my Mum. I'm staying at hers while she is away.

Really appreciate the replies. It's really hard doing this all on my own.

It’s shit. And really hard. Don’t be afraid to bounce stuff off us. Some of the things said may seem harsh but not having skin in the game makes it easier. It’s really emotional but also you need to be really level headed about the cost benefit to you given the massive sums involved x

 

[miss direct]

I might have completely messed up and have nowhere to go in a few weeks. I gave notice on this place, thought I could stay at a friend's but completely forgot she got another tenant in the spare room.

Lets hope the sellers of the new place accept my reduced offer. Have they really got a choice at this stage?

 

[Boudicca]

As you get on well with the esate agent, you could maybe talk to her? Say you are thinking of pulling out over this and what kind of a deal can she get for you?

Meeting halfway is always good. So instend of saying you want the cost of the roof off the asking price, say you really want to go ahead so can you split that cost?

Up to you, of course, just suggestions.

 

[Puddy_Tat]

There's probably nothing wrong with the roof, but councils like to be seen doing things and spending tax payers money. No doubt at some point within 10 years they will replace the windows, again regardless of if you need them or not.

not sure what the legal position is if you're a leaseholder

a few years ago, i got advised they wanted to come round and look at the windows, someone came and looked / measured up - said they were planning to replace them. i said words to the effect of 'hang on, i'm a leaseholder, what's the deal' - he said someone would be in touch

month or so later, was given 2 days' notice to have people come round and fit new windows. i rang up and said wtf. they had me on record as a tenant. i said i could take a couple of days off work at that short notice and what about the money side.

they gave me a price which (having never had windows done) seemed quite reasonable, but it just wasn't practical, and nothing came of it...

 

[miss direct]

As you get on well with the esate agent, you could maybe talk to her? Say you are thinking of pulling out over this and what kind of a deal can she get for you?

Meeting halfway is always good. So instend of saying you want the cost of the roof off the asking price, say you really want to go ahead so can you split that cost?

Up to you, of course, just suggestions.

Yes this might work. Do agents get a set fee or a percentage? If it's a percentage then she may not be keen on getting it reduced.

The problem is I have no idea how much this roof cost is going to be...

 

[20Bees]

I know you wanted the sellers to get the overdue boiler service done but honestly, for £100 or so I’d really recommend you get it done yourself and swallow the cost. If there’s a problem with it subsequently, you have a record of what was done, when it was done, and hopefully - this is priceless - a boiler man you can call when you need him, as an existing client (and good payer), rather than wasting time in freezing winter trying to get someone you’ve never met to come and look at your heating when it isn’t working.

 

[miss direct]

I know you wanted the sellers to get the overdue boiler service done but honestly, for £100 or so I’d really recommend you get it done yourself and swallow the cost. If there’s a problem with it subsequently, you have a record of what was done, when it was done, and hopefully - this is priceless - a boiler man you can call when you need him, as an existing client (and good payer), rather than wasting time in freezing winter trying to get someone you’ve never met to come and look at your heating when it isn’t working.]

I see what you mean but my worry is that the boiler doesn't even work and that'll be one more massive cost to swallow. I cant quite understand the scheme they signed up to but the solicitors letter says they "can't remember when it was last serviced", which is just bizarre.