Considering placing offer but have concerns about boundary issues

[Vince]

I'm currently looking at a 3 bed house located in an established estate. The house itself is stucturally sound but does need refurbishment and that is not a concern.
However, the back garden has some issues which do concern me.

• The back garden is not walled with the 3 adjoining neighbours. Only shoddy fencing in some parts and tree stumps with joining wire define the areas of ownership.
• One neighbour has what seems to be a chalet built at the foot of their garden. The side wall of this chalet would seem to end right on what I would deem to be the boundary between us. However, there is piping coming out of the chalet which looks like it is on 'my' side of the boundary.
• At the foot of 'my' garden there also seems to be concrete blocks in the ground which the estate agent cannot explain. I'm concerned that this may be some sort of 'communal' access to a sewerage system for the estate.
• There are two 100ft trees in 'my' garden. These would need to come out.

As I say I'm really happy with the house itself and am seriously considering an offer. However, these issues outside do concern me.

Any advice on where to go with this?
Do I get the vendor to address any boundary issues?
Do I get my solicitor and/or surveyor to investigate further?
How can I do this without incurring solicitor/surveyor fees if I decide to walk away?

Cheers!

 

[mf1]

Do I get the vendor to address any boundary issues?

Yes but unless it all ends up in the contract duly verified and signed off by solicitors/engineers........

Do I get my solicitor and/or surveyor to investigate further?
If you are serious, yes. Solicitor can ask for copy details of any agreements/wayleaves/disputes etc.,etc. He can then pass that on to surveyor.

How can I do this without incurring solicitor/surveyor fees if I decide to walk away?
You don't. You either let the vendor try to satisfy you now ( and to be honest, if I was the vendor, I would have addressed these issues before putting the property on the market. ) and then go to the solicitor/surveyor or you to go to solicitor/surveyor now and try to work out what you need to get from the vendor to explain the issues.

Some people are just messy individuals and leave messes like this unaddressed for as long as possible/forever.

mf

 

[Vince]

Cheers mf1...

I rang the estate agent to register my interest but told her that before submitting any offer I would need further clarity on the boundary issues.
She has agreed to clarify these issues with the vendor and will get back to me asap.

 

[Brianne]

I was in a similar situation a few years back and in the end did not buy. However we made the mistake of hiring our solicitor to do some investigations and it cost us. If you can, lay the onus on the vendor to produce the evidence reference the boundaries. My advise would be to tread very carefully as what you may now think is nothing to worry about will almost certainly annoy you in the future!!!