Buying a house with an unserviced boiler

bristolgymdude

I am in the process of buying a property where the sellers have moved out. They lady in question has had all the services disconnected meaning that I cannot check if the comb-boiler is working correctly. I have since found out the there is no gas meter to the property as it has been removed. Should I insist that this is connected prior to exchange or get a clause added to the exchange that should there be a problem with the boiler that she would still have to repair the boiler??

p.s. The boiler is 9 years old and has never been serviced.

marcg

Enforcing anything after you've handed over the money is going to be a nightmare. Call a plumber and get him to price up fixing/replacing everything on the assumption it is all broken and take it off the price. This should be in the region of £2k (new boiler £1400 fitted, new meter £200, risk £400) but let the plumber do the pricing.

Or allow the vendor to do the works but don't exchange until they are done.

Most likely the vendor will just take the lower offer (probably negotiate on it) unless they have a friend who is a plumber who will do it at mate's rates.

BitterAndTwisted

The first thing to do is to find out what costs are involved in re-fitting the gas-meter. If it's not going to be possible to get the boiler checked and-or serviced I'd consider getting a costing for a brand-new one and deducting this cost from the purchase-price.

It all depends on how far you are down the purchase-process but I certainly wouldn't dream of exchanging contracts until this is resolved to your satisfaction.

clutton_2

this could be a repoosession and if so then the soon-to-be-ex-owner will have no interest in proving if the boiler works or not

best bet is to reduce yhour offer to take account of buying a new one - then have it serviced the minute you move in - it may well be fine... i have some boilers over 20 years old and still quite safe....

david29dpo

Some gas suppliers will fit a meter for free.

Tuscan

as others say, i would assume anything that cant be tested needs replacing and reduce this from your offer and see what they say...

bristolgymdude

Many thanks for your advice! I will stand my ground and if not willing to compramise then I will revoke my offer. I know I may loose £300 + solicitors costs but the vender if not very co-operative. Her partner shouted down the phone (so that I heard) that it was all my responsibility. I really want the house but feel torn as to how much hard work this is proving. I have been trying to get a surveyor into the property for 2 weeks, as she was not answering any messages left. It is so frustrating! She has now agreed a date but feel that she may cancel it.

If this happens do I cancel or because I really want the house put up with some of this in the hope that it all goes through? HELP.... not sure its head versus heart.

Tuscan

dealing with people is hard as many dont have the same values as others. i tend to find if some one starts off as a messer they tend to carry on that way.

try not to let your heart rule your head as it may end up hitting you in the wallet..

chappers

I would put an amended offer in writing reducing the price by the cost of a new central heating system and any cost for getting a new meter fitted, with an alternative that the vendor demonstartes to you that the heating system including the boiler is working correctly.
If neither of these are accepted then walk away.
Boilers left idle / drained down for any lengthy period of time have a nasty habit of being trouble when you try to fire them up again.

bristolgymdude

Many thanks for your advice. As you said it is difficult to not let your heart rule over your head. Lets hope she will become sensible. Happy New Year

clutton_2

""that it was all my responsibility.""

this is how the house buying business works in the UK - Caveat Emptor - it is up to the buyer to do all the research - and if you dont like what you find - dont buy

you can hardly blame a repossessed couple for being grumpy or uncooperative...

its only in very recent years, that buyers seem to be making demands of sellers never made before

there are plenty of other houses on the market

i have bought many houses and never had the boiler checked in any of them, and all worked when fired up, or with a service.....