Sold my house but having problems with the heating system

CelticGhirl

I have sold my house and due to move out in 5 weeks, but I have been having problems with the gas central heating system. Basically its a really old boiler thats probably on its last legs, luckily I have gas cover for it so all repairs are free, but I am worried that it totally goes on the blink before I move out. Does anyone know if when the new person moves in and noticed it wasnt working, am I held liable to fix it?

I'm in Scotland if that makes any difference.

Thanks

mickeyfinn1

I'm pretty certain that the new owners have 7 days to report any faults during which time you would need to pay for the repair. If they report a fault outwith the 7 days it's up to them to sort it.

If you are covered, I would get it repaired asap.

david29dpo

Nonsense. It buyer beware, especially someone who buys a house with a very old boiler. However, do your best to get it fixed.

Joyful

The last time I bought a house it was written into the contract that I had 10 days to make sure the heating system was working. Everything else came with a no liability clause so it will depend what is written into your contract.

silvercar

different rules in scotland.

In England it is buyer beware. If the boiler conks out between exchange and completion its tough. The survey should have highlighted that it was old and the buyer should have costed for a replacement.

In Scotland the buyer has a few days to notify faults that the seller has to rectify.

I'm not sure what happens if the buyer is knowingly purchasing a house with a boiler overdue for replacement.

googler

The buyers have seen the boiler, so they know what they're buying.

You have it under a maintenance contract, and presumably this has been communicated to the buyers (via a Home Report?) so they'll be under the impression it's maintained to a good standard.

Your solicitor will be able to tell you what terms are built into the missives that he/she has exchanged with the buying solicitor, whether the buyer has 7 or 14 days to report any material faults with the systems in the house.

If the system shows no 'material faults' within this period the buyers have no legs to stand on if there's a subsequent failure. If it does show a material fault, you're essentially liable for its repair - will your maintenance contract cover you if you no longer live there?

silvercar

Surely the easiest course of action is to get the gas cover people out to rectify the fault now.

googler

silvercar wrote: »

Surely the easiest course of action is to get the gas cover people out to rectify the fault now.

+1.

I meant to say that too.

Rikki

silvercar wrote: »

Surely the easiest course of action is to get the gas cover people out to rectify the fault now.

I think the same. As you have it covered why not get them out to service it.

ChrisCobra

Get it repaired and stop giving us scots the tight fisted persona.

cattie

ChrisCobra wrote: »

Get it repaired and stop giving us scots the tight fisted persona.

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Oh that's so funny.


I'd never dream of letting a sale complete, knowing the heating system wasn't in working order. How would you feel if it happened to you?

If it does conk out before you move out, you either need to get it fixed or at least have the decency to inform the buyers & offer them a reduction in price to enable them to get it sorted out.

Remember, treat others as you would like to be treated yourself.