The financing bank wants to pass the appraisal costs onto me

Dear homeowners,

I have built a commercial warehouse. After completion, the bank commissioned its own appraiser who recently inspected the property inside and out. Unfortunately, I have to find out that the appraisal costs were passed on to me. There is a lot online about banks not being allowed to do this. I have already contacted my bank advisor about this. She says that with private customers, appraisal costs are not passed on. But with commercial customers, it is common practice to pass on these appraisal costs. Does anyone of you have experience in this area? I would be very grateful if you could help me.
Best regards

But with commercial customers, it is common practice to pass on these expert fees. Does any of you have experience in this area?

Yep, with non-consumers, this is standard. We also do this with almost all customers (those who resist this get the costs pushed on them via the processing fee or, as with consumers, through the terms). This is legally acceptable as well.

What does your contract say about costs? That is always decisive. Much more important than the question of whether the bank is allowed to do this. Our customers always receive an indicative offer including all applicable costs or an offer in which no costs are mentioned - but then with different terms. Then the offer is negotiated, and in the end, an approach acceptable to both parties is agreed upon.

Thank you very much for your quick response. You explained that very well. The contract does not say anything at all about the expert fees. During the offer discussion, she is said to have pointed out to me that I would have to bear the expert fees later. Is that still legally valid? For a financing amount of 700k, the expert fees amount to 600€. Is that also okay?

The contract says nothing at all about the expert costs. During the offer discussion, she supposedly pointed out to me that I would have to bear the expert costs later. Is that still legal?

Then I would first give the advisor the polite answer, "I am happy to cover the expert costs. Please just briefly show me where we agreed on this?" The matter will probably resolve itself then.

For a financing amount of 700k, the expert costs amount to 600€. Is that also okay?

That would be a bargain for a real expert report. That’s just about half a day’s rate for an expert. So probably just an internal evaluation. Price-wise therefore okay.

So the contract says nothing about expert fees. I don’t want to be difficult now either. Because otherwise - as you already wrote - she will pass these costs on to me in another way. Should I just accept that?

So the contract doesn’t say anything about expert costs. I don’t want to come across as stupid now, because otherwise – as you already wrote – they’ll just push these costs onto me in some other way. Should I just accept it?

I can’t answer that for you. Of course, it depends on your relationship with the bank. I would still play dumb and simply ask where it says that.
Then you can still say, “Ok, it’s not stated anywhere, but in view of our good relationship, I will pay the costs. However, I assume that you will compensate me elsewhere for whatever.” Only you can decide. Giving the right advice from a distance is difficult.