Posted: Fri Jun 1, 2018 1:47pm
Thank you Willy. Its difficult for ppl when they are told 'you don't need Surveyor or your own Lawyer' because you're in a different country .
There's a good reason why a bank or building society wouldn't contemplate lending a penny without a valuation and survey and instructing a solicitor independent to the seller to check the legalities . That is because they don't want to risk losing money if the property is defective as their security is diminished . . Why should an individual take the risk ?! You will have no come back on the Seller or the Agent as it is your responsibility to investigate the title and property . It is still a case of 'buyer beware' and you have to satisfy yourself that the property you are buying has all the permissions free of debt and the entirety is owned by the seller plus it is in good nick structurally .
I was told complete garbage by Property Agents Selling in Spain (including the big names in the UK) about not needing a solicitor 'it's the Spanish way '. Where you have land and buildings it doesn't matter whether you are in U.K. or Timbuktu , you need independent legal and surveying advice . Maybe this is why there are so many poor Ppl lumbered with houses without planning permission , outstanding debts attached to them and built on property they don't own .
Nine times out of ten it will be fine and the property ok . So you will hear of ppl saying they didn't bother getting their own lawyer or surveyor . But when you are spending so much money why risk being the unhappy 10 per cent where the property is defective . Added to that ,, sorting out property matters through the Spanish Courts post completion is an unenviable prospect . Close the door before the horse can bolt is my advice !! Cutting costs on lawyers and surveyors fees is not an option anyone should take IMO .
Sorry for long post , I just hate to think of people risking their life savings because they are given bad advice . J