... we had an offer accepted on a house on the assistance that the vendor has a structural survey carried out (there were cracks in the outside and inside walls), the survey was carried out 4 weeks ago but the vendor still hasn't released the report. Now we have spoken to the EA who has contacted the surveyors who have told her over the phone that the house has subsided slightly due to leaking drains though this is quite old (the house has been untouched for 30-40 years), but she won't release the report for some reason, the EA says that she cannot get hold of her to find out why, but this has dragged on now for 4 weeks with no communication from the vendor as to when we will get a copy of the report (we need a copy for insurance purposes and also for our lender so they can complete their valuation survey), has anyone got any thoughts of how to proceed now, we are fed up with calling the EA who has told us to stop calling and they will call us when they have heard something!

Cheers,
Bill

Walk away from it if you don't have any co-operation from the Vendor within 72hrs. Obviously there is something being hidden from you.

I agree with Melboy BillyJG. It's ultimatum time! The vendor should consider herself lucky that you are still interested knowing what you now know and should be doing everything she can to expedite the sale before you change your mind! A full survey can make the problem sound 10 times worse than it actually is so perhaps she has gone into hiding because she believes her house is falling into a giant hole in the ground and no one will every buy it. Tell the agent (or your solicitor) to write to the vendor saying that you are aware that the survey has revealed certain issues which in themselves do not put you off but if the report is not made available to you as agreed you will have no option but to withdraw from the purchase.

I'd have to agree. If she wants to have any chance of selling, she has to release the report. Ostrich behaviour just won't do.

I was in a similar position a few years ago, tho in my case it was that the vendor was claiming the house had been re-insured following subsidence correction, but refusing to name the insurance company (well not so much refusing: not answering phone calls/emails/faxes, being unavailable/out of the country/on the bog et etc. on the solicitors advice we walked; as he said, if there was nothing to hide, why not be open? I should let this one go, if I were you.