Who is liable?

[scati]

i have just purchased a house and when i got the keys and went to house today, two big wooden panals in the back garden are broken and lieing on the grass. Both my solicitor and estate agent are off until the 29th. Who is liable for this. thanks in advance.

 

[mo3art]

Did you do an inspection of the house before you closed the sale?
You are now the owner of the property and responsible for it at present. There is no way of knowing when this damage occured - it could possibly be argued that it only happened after the sale was closed. I understand that it's extremely irritating and unexpected but I would simply repair the fencing. Maybe call your solicitor in the New Year but I doubt you are going to get a different response!

 

[Froggie]

I am not sure if you are trying to find out if its your problem or your neighbours, but if you are: If the fence is a partition between 2 houses then the matter is complicated. It will depend on the way the fence is constructed. As far as I know for a block wall, the wall is the property of the person with the pillars on their site.