Holding fee paid, but the house is still a MESS!!!

neverdespairgirl

clutton wrote: »

ANY landlord who offers a property without heating in this day and age is a dinosaur of the worst order....

Unless, perhaps, it's a very old listed building where central heating would damage the structure?

lynzpower

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

Unless, perhaps, it's a very old listed building where central heating would damage the structure?

There are solutions if the building is listed though. I have seen many a listed building complete with radiators etc.

A planning officer with responsibility for listed buildings - especially where they are residential, would have a hard time to state that the history of the property would be compromised so much by a heating system

As an example church heating
http://www.electricheatingsolutions.co.uk/church_heating.html

Underfloor heating can also be provided in listed buildings if discreteness is needed.

However, I dont think from the OP the building is listed, more that the owner doesnt give a damn.

The "grants for this sort of thing" are made to the owner of the building and not to the tenant, and are usually in the form of a loan, not a grant. Sometimes the loan is tied to the house so when it is sold, the Local authority ( aka the taxpayer) gets the cash back. Amazing that the letting agent has not had the negotiating power with thier client to ask for a clean out/ heating install etc. This DOES NOT BODE WELL!!!!

Small amounts can be provided gratis for very low income people for small works but that is usually for owner occupiers ( eg pensioners in their own home) who experience Excess cold and whom are at risk of excess cold due to their age. there are criteria, these grant/loans are not just dished out, as I understand it.

neverdespairgirl

lynzpower wrote: »

There are solutions if the building is listed though. I have seen many a listed building complete with radiators etc.

A planning officer with responsibility for listed buildings - especially where they are residential, would have a hard time to state that the history of the property would be compromised so much by a heating system

I know you can have it in listed terms, but it can dry out a wood structure.

My parents owned a 15th century listed building, and were advised strongly that central heating would damage it. They had wood burning stoves downstairs, instead.

lynzpower

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

I know you can have it in listed terms, but it can dry out a wood structure.

My parents owned a 15th century listed building, and were advised strongly that central heating would damage it. They had wood burning stoves downstairs, instead.

Yes, indeed, and also these days there have been major invention in wood fired heating systems.

If that were the case Id expect that the OP would have told us it had wood fired heating in, but seems to have absolutely nothing!

On a moneysaving angle, electrical heating in terms of portable heaters can gobble electricity and unless you are prepared for this can be rather expensive :eek::eek:

OP you can search on the english heritage database to see if the property is listed if you are concerned by this?

PasturesNew

Central heating's a new thing though. People have lived for centuries without it. My parents didn't get central heating until they'd retired, then only because the house they bought already had it. I grew up with one fire in the living room and ice on the inside of the windows every winter (thick ice up half the window). We all lived.

However, that said, the OP should have viewed/checked before paying any money down.

lynzpower

PasturesNew wrote: »

Central heating's a new thing though. People have lived for centuries without it. My parents didn't get central heating until they'd retired, then only because the house they bought already had it. I grew up with one fire in the living room and ice on the inside of the windows every winter (thick ice up half the window). We all lived.

However, that said, the OP should have viewed/checked before paying any money down.

No, many people died though lack of heating and of course they still do, thats the whole point of the winter fuel payments ( argue amongst yourselves whether this helps or not) Life expectancy in years gone by was significantly lower, people just didnt make it through winters.

Agree, the OP should have looked first.

Whatever she should do she shouldnt move in as these things will never get sorted.

lynzpower

AH!

thinking about this some more

OP have you requested and received the EPC?

trinity77

Hi

Ive phoned the letting agents and expressed my concerns....especially after i lefted the letter box for a noisey as you do and was greated by an extremely unpleasent smnell of old dog! I was nearly sick!

They assure me the work will be carried out! ha, i doubt that very much. Im supposed to be signing for it on the 31st. Ive already decided that i want them to meet me at the property first so we can do an inspection and then if everything is in order i will go odwn to the office.

Thing is i know its not going to be done! I think your all right...i might speak to EH and see what they say about heating....it has hot water so it must have a boiler for that...

Its such a pain becuase the location is ideal and the house is large. Its right opposit the kids school and all the other houses in that area are way to expensive, like 950pm expensive!

But your all right, which i kinda new anyway, if the work isnt done before i move in that its not going to get done either!

If i dont move in then i will definalty get pictures and try the small claims court for the 400 holding fee.

I'll need it to put down on something else!

trinity77

Oh and its not a listed building, i think its early 30's maybe 20's....maybe later i dunno....

marcowil

Trinity

From what you have written you seem to be seriously considering moving in to this property despite the very good sound advice from most of the other posters not to! IMHO you will regret this very very quickly, no matter how convenient it is to everything you want. The house is obviously so much cheaper than others in the area for a reason.