forgetnails   10 #1 Posted November 21, 2018 I am looking to buy a house with retaining walls to the garden on the boundary of the property Just got survey back and he identified that part of one of the walls has collapsed (it was fine when I viewed the property) and looks to be bulging in places. (Although it is an old wall.) He recommends getting survey to check condition of the walls. What would you do in this situation? I am inclined to get a survey but would it be worth approaching with the homeowner with this issue or just get quotes for reinstatement? I'm at a bit of a loss how best to approach this situation so if anyone has any advice would really appreciate it  Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
woodview   10 #2 Posted November 21, 2018 (edited) Speak to the owner, saying you need to get a survey done (because you do if you are going to buy) For example they might say, they aren't interested and the price is as it is. In that instance you have the option to pull out, without the cost of getting the survey done. There are issues if it's a boundary to the road, or to neighbours, in terms of access, effect on the street etc etc. Communication is critical. Edited November 21, 2018 by woodview Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
lil-minx92 Â Â 10 #3 Posted November 21, 2018 I would have thought the home owner would need to be involved anyway to give access for the survey or quotes Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
geared   268 #4 Posted November 21, 2018 Have you been round to check yourself, see the collapsed wall in person? If it's literally just happened (you said it was fine when you saw it) then the seller should be open to negotiations on it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
forgetnails   10 #5 Posted November 21, 2018 Yea I have been round had a look. My mortgage lender sent a valuer round last Monday I had my survey last Friday. The mortgage valuer didn't raise this as an issue (but have raised something with outhouse) so thinking it's in the last week it's happend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
geared   268 #6 Posted November 21, 2018 Simple negotiation to make then:  "Since I made my offer your wall has collapsed, I want to revise my offer to compensate for the work needs doing" Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Jeffrey Shaw   83 #7 Posted November 22, 2018 Yes- esp. as vendor might be able to claim the cost against property insurance (if the wall's collapse was due to an insured risk). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Cyclone   10 #8 Posted November 23, 2018 Check that it has really collapsed, ask the vendor if they're going to get it fixed sharpish along with the other weakened sections. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...