Reduce house offer because of undisclosed sewage pumping station in the garden

[Freddie1980]

We found out last week that the property we are purchasing has a sewage pumping station at the front of the property. When we viewed the property the owner told us that the area was a water pump run by the water company and was needed as the way needed to be pumped up hill. At the time we took his word on it and we eventually agreed a price.

We're a bit annoyed this information was only now been disclosed, there's nothing about it on the title deeds and everyone (agents, lawyers, sellers etc) is playing dumb saying they don't know anything about it. I'm thinking of pulling out but my other half wants to ask for a reduction.

 

[Freddie1980]

Is it on your property, or adjacent? Are you concerned about noise/smell/appearance/maintenance work?

Ultimately it's a judgement call for you - how could it affect you, is it enough to pull out, or if not what do you consider a reasonable reduction?

There's a private driveway that leads down to the house and there's a strip of land on the right that belongs to the property were buying where the pump is located. The pump which services 3 other houses on the cul-de-sac is about 10 metres away from our front door.

I'm worried about it breaking down, flooding, smells etc. when we've been down there we've not smelt anything but the pump does make a bit noise.

 

[Freddie1980]

What else has the owner not disclosed?

Walk away.

He has debt secured against the property, not sure what happened but he has a CCJ from 2006 against him which the creditor agreed to take a charge on his house and he's been accruing interest on it ever since. We need to get his solicitor to agree to an legal undertaking to pay the debt upon completion and that needs to be in place before we exchange.