I'm trying a bit of therapeutic venting here.......
I'm in the process of buying a house. The offer was accepted, solicitor appointed, searches made, mortgages applied and approved.
A search game back saying that there was a 30% chance of the house having radon levels above acceptable levels.
I requested a radon report from the vendor, who moved in in 2006. They did not have one.
I consulted the Health Protection Agency whose advice is clear: UKradon :: Radon and house sales
I requested a retention via my solicitor and the vendor has rejected it.
I've now asked the estate agent to intervene to broker a deal.
I can't think what else I can do. I've paid for expert advice and am following it. I feel I'm being very reasonable here.
Am I?
I'm in the process of buying a house. The offer was accepted, solicitor appointed, searches made, mortgages applied and approved.
A search game back saying that there was a 30% chance of the house having radon levels above acceptable levels.
I requested a radon report from the vendor, who moved in in 2006. They did not have one.
I consulted the Health Protection Agency whose advice is clear: UKradon :: Radon and house sales
Buyers:
Ask the current owners if they have completed a three month radon test
If so ask for a copy of the report
If not, discuss a retention with your solicitor and test when you move in. See our fact sheet Measuring Radon
Sellers in Affected Areas:
If you have previously tested your property, find the result (Contact your test provider if necessary).
If you have not tested, the new owner will be advised to do so when they move in
You and your solicitor should be prepared to be asked about a retention.
Retention - what you need to know:
A retention is a sum of money held back from the sale to help with remedial costs
The typical remediation cost is £1000
A typical retention sum is between £500 and £2000
The money is initially held by one of the solicitors for a period of six months, to allow time for moving in, the three month test, analysis and receipt of the report
If the result is below the Action Level, the money goes to the seller
If the result is higher, the money pays for remedial works and a timescale is agreed to allow for the works and a further test
Any surplus money goes to the seller.
A retention may not be suitable when:
The buyers are planning to carry out major building work as soon as they move in
The buyers are not planning to move in straight away.
I requested a retention via my solicitor and the vendor has rejected it.
I've now asked the estate agent to intervene to broker a deal.
I can't think what else I can do. I've paid for expert advice and am following it. I feel I'm being very reasonable here.
Am I?
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