New Purchase/Build - Home Renovations - Gardens - Garages & Sheds.

[Puffwagon]

Not quite.

 

He doesn't have to reveal that there is a patio there, he just has to ask if it can be done. 

 

He'll lose his bargaining power if he doesn't play it right.

[arronm]

You guys are dreaming, he wont drop 30k. But may drop some if your off to the council..

[Never had any say Panda]

I just read the back story. Interestingly enough, stripes have you got a solicitor involved? You cannot contract anything that contravenes law.
So if the contract says you accept the place as is in full knowledge it doesnt comply with law, it is a null clause in the contract.

[.Stripes.]

That's interesting to know, thanks Brendo. Nah, haven't involved a solicitor as yet...used a settlement agent to draft the original contract (not realising until after that he wasn't a conveyance lawyer), but I didn't initially think things would go this way.

[Pixy Angel]

Also double check with insurance company. If it's not council approved or signed off by private certifier they might not insure the house.

[.Stripes.]

Yeah, from what I've read there's all sorts of potential issues with insurance if someone gets hurt or if it came apart during a storm and took a part of the house with it or something.

Pretty much, what I'm thinking is that I'm not signing it as is. He either gets it retrospectively approved or I don't buy the house.

[.Stripes.]

Everything else with building and pest inspection went well, other than smoke alarms will need replacing prior to settlement.

 

I just replied to the sellers email saying that having reviewed his amendments to the contract, I'm not comfortable signing the changes relating to the patio and that I request the patio to be retrospectively approved prior to settlement. So now we just wait and see. He'll either come to the party, or I won't be buying the house. I decided I don't want to take on the potential hassle of needing to deal with it. He either sorts it, or I walk.

Edited 23/01/17 03:57 AM by .Stripes.

[Pixy Angel]

Get a lawyer to look over it just to be on the safe side. Should only cost about $5-600 I think.

[Puffwagon]

That's what it cost to to hire a conveyancer when I bought my house. 

 

They will make sure the contract is legit and arrange everything with the bank and the land titles office in regard to the title. 

 

They will also sort out the balance of the rates and water bill etc.

[.Stripes.]

I've previously hired a settlement agent. Admittedly, he's not a lawyer, but spoke to him this morning and he said that without me signing off on the sellers amendments then the sale can't proceed.