Conveyancing - Solicitors Responsibilities to Banl

[peno]

Can any legal eagle tell me what the onus is on solicitors informing the buyers bank of any small building irregularities found in a survey.

For example the bank has done a valuation no problem.
A survey was conducted by the buyer which found no structural defects etc.

So if a door isn't the right width, stairs the right height - that sort of thing. While I know he must inform and discuss with the client and tell them the issues.

Client then has no issues. Should they also inform the bank and ensure they have no objections? Or is this a case of a solicitor covering their bank due to recent bad press?

 

[mf1]

But it's not just a missing tile or something that can easily be rectified? Is it something that the vendor's Architect won't certify - i.e. that the works don't comply with planning permission or Building Regulations?

So, the client doesn't care. But the client is not spending their own money - it's the bank's money they are spending and the bank will only release funds if the title is in order. The solicitor is not an architect or a surveyor - they rely on works being certified. The title is not in order if there are discrepancies with the certification.

If the works are certified incorrectly then everyone is on notice and it's not acceptable to say that everyone should simply overlook the problem. Once a problem, always a problem and a client won't thank a solicitor when they can't sell their property down the line.

mf

 

[peno]

This is a house 30+ years old that had some minor alterations about 10 years ago.

Are you saying that all house sales that have had any work since the day the house was built must be accompanied by a architect's certificate.

If that is the case how do any older houses ever get sold??

 

[mf1]

But it depends on what someone calls "minor alterations" or "any work".

You can do certain works without planning permission but anything other than "minor" may require planning permission. Structural works must be done in accordance with Building Regulations and the works must be certified.

Older houses that have been modified properly will be properly certified.

mf