Exactly 7 days before the exchange of keys we discovered that the cellar was wet. The water was not coming in through the open window as we thought but up through the floor and through the walls of the cellar. We stayed in the cellar for about 20 mins and watched and filmed the water pump pumping out the overflow.
What to do? Should we still buy the property? Should we sue the owner (is she the owner or are we the owners? We have signed the contracts but not yet paid) for not telling us about this? Is the agent at fault - surely she should have said something?
After a sleepless night we went back and talked to the neighbours. Yes, there is occasionally water in the cellar next door, no it isn't a problem.
We managed to get the phone number of a previous owner who lived there for many years and talked to her at length. She reassured us that all is well and the walls are not damp (she had them tested).
So, we will go ahead with the purchase but will be keeping keen eyes on the pump, especially after heavy rain.
Oh, and the stairs down to the cellar are rotting away due to the woodworm infestation. Cue new aluminum stairs.
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