IT’S NOT surprising to find that people are bypassing surveys in the current economic climate in a bid to save money. Some estate agents even discourage the practice fearing surveys may reveal problems that will cause potential buyers to withdraw from a sale.

Here is a tale about what can happen when a small saving results in a nightmare, and you ask yourself “was it really worth it?”

I received this email asking for some much needed advice for a repossessed property on an urbanisation somewhere in the Valencian region:

“We purchased a repossessed property in January and told we would have to apply to Iberdrola for an electricity supply because the electricity meter had been removed. The previous occupants vacated the property some 18 months ago.”

“We contacted a builder who said he would arrange for boletins to get the electricity and the water put back on. The water was no problem. However, it transpires that the builder’s electrician was informed by Iberdrola that we could not be reconnected because to do so would take them over capacity. This is despite being told by the neighbour that there had been a supply to the property previously for several years. Every other property around us has electricity.”

“The electrician continued negotiating with Iberdrola who have now said they can connect us if the electricity supply comes from “the other side of the property.” They want us to pay €12,000 for a 9 metre galvanised pole to be put up and for wiring to be re-routed.”

“Our builder explained that Iberdrola has given our electricity supply away and now they want us to pay for a new supply. We are gutted and came with a very tight budget. We don’t seem to be getting anywhere. We have had nothing official from Iberdrola yet.”

My initial thought was are these poor people being subjected to a scam, or was it just bad luck? Whatever the case, the situation could have been avoided if an electrical survey had been obtained before they purchased the property.

It is important to distinguish between an electrical survey and a building survey. An electrical survey will need an electrical technician or engineer to fully assess the condition of an installation. A building surveyor will not be qualified to do this.

The moral of this story is just because you may be getting a bargain, don’t cut corners on important areas such as surveys and searches. Treat the purchase as you would in the UK and make sure it is a bargain, and not something you may regret.

Contact us about our Homebuyers Electrical Survey if you are considering purchasing a property on the Costa Blanca.