Getting gas and electricity tested

bristol_pilot

Since the regs have only just been updated, most houses in the country do not comply with current regs. I would guess there is no issue with the electrics and the surveyor is just covering his backside.

The gas should always be tested when you move into a new property, regardless. Just for peace of mind. Also, it might be worth changing the boiler - a 30-year old boiler might be good as new or fit for the scrapheap depending on which model was installed and how it was maintained.

pararct

bristol_pilot wrote: »

Since the regs have only just been updated, most houses in the country do not comply with current regs. I would guess there is no issue with the electrics and the surveyor is just covering his backside.

The gas should always be tested when you move into a new property, regardless. Just for peace of mind. Also, it might be worth changing the boiler - a 30-year old boiler might be good as new or fit for the scrapheap depending on which model was installed and how it was maintained.

I have a large house, down in the basement is a glow-worm boiler installed circa 1975ish. I have the gas appliances checked annually and the engineer always remarks on the longevity of the boiler.

It is so old there are no spare parts available for it at all.

That said there are so few moving parts within it to go wrong. It is of course not very economic but will keep going until the cows come home.

I it was me I would simply make a note of the boiler name and research its reliability on the web.
Get the gas appliances checked if you wish but there is statutory need for you to do so. ( I do have a need as I am an accommodation provider) Cost will be around £40 per item. Maybe more if you only have the boiler.

G_M

Originally Posted by Liv1977
The electrical installation will not comply with current recommendations

googler wrote: »

Would it have been too much trouble for the surveyor to say WHY NOT ?

yes. Firstly, the surveyor is not an electrician so is very unlikely to know the regulations in detail.
secondly the regulations have probobly been updated several times a) so he would have to know exactly which year the house was built and b) he would have to know exactly what the 1984 (say) regulations were in order to compare 1984 with 2010.

Only a qualified electrician would know this level of detail.

Alternatively, I'm sure if you use Google you'll be able to find the current regs on line, and the 1984 (or 5 or 6 whatever) regs.