Buying a house with extension for which there are no documents from structural engineer

thecat777 said:
How much price reduction do you think it would be appropriate to ask for, the agreed price is 285k, the initial asking price was 275k
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That's a tough one, and really boils down to the probability of obtaining retention. The minimum would be the total cost to go through the retention process plus an increment for the grief. The upper limit would be the sum of the costs of a failed retention bid, plus the cost of removing the extension, plus the drop in value without the extension, plus overhead for grief.

If it's very likely permission will be granted, veer towards the minimum, otherwise increase towards the max depending on the chances of getting retention.
 
Unless the house is perfect, without retention, I would pull out of the sale. The engineering paperwork is much easier to overcome, you can always pay for said inspection and offer to make-good any opening up required as part of the inspection. That being said, if the engineer doesn't like what they see, you would probably then pull out of the sale in any case.
 
thecat777 said:
How much price reduction do you think it would be appropriate to ask for, the agreed price is 285k, the initial asking price was 275k
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It seems that you're not really listening to what people are saying here. TELL THE VENDOR TO SORT IT OUT FIRST. You're taking a big risk that you will have no comeback on if you buy the house in the hopes that planning retention will be given.
What's your plan B if retention is denied and you have to demolish the extension, how much will that cost you?
Where will you live whilst demolition occurs, how much will that cost you?
What other houses without these issues will be just as good for your needs?
There are other houses out there, if vendor is too cheap to comply with planning what other issues are likely to emerge in this house?
It's all a massive Red Flag to me and I'd walk away.
 
I got the opinion of 2 structural Engineers and they both say there will not be a problem getting retention permission. Furthermore the extension was build more than 7 years ago, meaning we can not be asked to demolish it.
 
thecat777 said:
Furthermore the extension was build more than 7 years ago, meaning we can not be asked to demolish it.
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Unless you or any subsequent owner seek planning to carry out any other works, at that point the LA can insist it be removed.
 
Leo said:
Unless you or any subsequent owner seek planning to carry out any other works, at that point the LA can insist it be removed.
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Yes, agree but this is only in case we don't get retention permission.
 
From an overarching legal perspective what you’re looking for is “good marketable title” for your house.

This translates into an easy ability to sell the property at any time after you’ve bought it.

If there’s a bank involved in terms of mortgage funding, they’ll want to know they are providing finance for a property in respect of which there are no material issues that might affect a sale (to cover themselves if, for example they ended up having to sell it in the event of a mortgage default on your part).

If you’re buying for cash, fire ahead by all means, but be aware you’re buying a property which may not be saleable.

Depending on circumstances, it’s not always a foregone conclusion that you’ll automatically get retention planning.
 
Are you buying with a mortgage? If so, are the lenders aware of these issues and still prepared to lend the purchase price?
 
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