Layout floorplan incorrect when purchasing a property - does it matter?

Question

I applied to purchase my council flat, however instead of valuing the property by having a look round - they just turned up to make sure the building is fine & valued it based on recently sold flats in the same block. There are 36 flats, 6 are tiny & for single occupancy only. I live in 1 of the 6, however my flat has been valued as the same as the 30 large flats which are twice the size of mine.

I tried to explain this to the council, however they said it would take a long time & I’d have to get it surveyed myself and pay for it & if it ends up costing more (because few months down the line they’re worth more) then I’ll have to pay more. They made it seem a scary risk so I left it. Several months later, I’ve received the lease documentation from the solicitors to sign before it all gets finalised. The floorplan in the lease is one of the bigger flats (completely different layout and very large rooms). I don’t want to sign on this page, because it doesn’t look anything like my flat.

Is that a common error with flats? Should I bring it up & delay the process? I’m obviously hoping I can bring it up & they realise I have a tiny flat & it gets re-valued. But this is my first purchase ever & I’m not sure if it works as straight forward as that!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated, thank you

Slumlord · Accepted Answer

I've got some advice, refuse to sign, tell them the floor plan is wrong, tell them you are paying to much, sue them for the extra money if you have to (small claims court, or whatever you have over there that is equivalent) and stop acting like a friggin doormat.

Of course they told you it would be work and tried to dissuade you from doing anything, you think they want to just give up the extra money they are getting, but you shouldn't be paying extra becuase they are to lazy to get it right.  Stand up for yourself and fight this, its your money.

Monkey · Answer

Edit: I do have a solicitor, they are the ones who posted me the lease documentation for me to sign.

Maxi · Answer

You are already getting substanial discount off the real price of the proerty and it sounds like you are trying to 'do it on the cheap' by not having a survey done yourself which is the first thing you do when buying an older property AND a flat as you are partly responsible for costs of maintenance, repairs, eg if it needs a new roof, you will be paying a share of those costs and that could cost you thousands and you need to appoint and pay your own solicitor

SCATTY c · Answer

What does your solictor say ?  If you don't have, you need to have one.  Do NOT sign anything until you get professional advice on this

Tavy · Answer

You need your own Solicitor , you should not be doing this yourself. You are in fact buying a different flat if the floor plan is wrong. A Solicitor would also tell you what else you are responsible for ie: maintenance , rebuilding and so on. My Mums friend bought his Council flat and 5 years later the building needed repairs, he was liable but the council tenants did not have to pay anything.
Sign nothing, until you get your own legal advice.
UK.

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Layout floorplan incorrect when purchasing a property - does it matter?

5 Answers