What if the pipes burst?? Who is liable?

lavandergirl_2

depends on your contract.
Did your solicitor advised you to insure the house to be purchased after the exchange of contract?

SamanthaD85

We have spoken to the solicitors and they said they we will talk about the water/gas near the completion date, which will most probable in the new year now as the sellers solicitors are very slow.

Yes we were told to insure the property on the day that we complete and that we need to take the cover-note with us too.

RAS

SamanthaD85 wrote: »

We have spoken to the solicitors and they said they we will talk about the water/gas near the completion date, which will most probable in the new year now as the sellers solicitors are very slow.

Yes we were told to insure the property on the day that we complete and that we need to take the cover-note with us too.

No

You must get insurance cover from the day you exchange.

And given the situation you would be very well advised to book a visit to the house immediately before exchange and turn the water on and check the pipes.

SamanthaD85

Thats what the solicitors is going to sort out a week before we exchange, they are asking the seller to turn on all water etc and then go from there.

Thats what i meant sorry to have the house insurance the day we exchange.

SD0084

Hi, I would ring the estate agent who is selling and insist the vendor puts the heating on low and pops back to check it hasnt leaked a short while later. Ask for a viewing a few days later with the agent so you can have a really good nosey without feeling watched and check this has been done, turn on taps and make sure they work. Also if the agent knows check that the vendor has buildings insurance as this has implications if neighbouring properties are damaged in a leak and you buy the property. Acccording to my solicitor they can claim from your insurance even if you werent living there when he inital damage happened. Believe me after the day I have had today it isnt worth trusting in the vendors common sense. I am 2 weeks from completion, have handed in my rental notice and found out today the vacant property i am buying has been left without heating and the pipe has gone, all flooring downstairs is now ripped up, all plaster soaked and there is a good chance the kitchen celing is going to come down. The vendor has no insurance and wont pay for damages so I'm left with 1) fix it myself and chance long term damages costing me a fortune or 2) walk away and move into another rental while I find somewhere else. My advice is sort it out now while you dont have the problem.

SamanthaD85

We are going to view the house again tomorrow and the estate agent has asked the seller to turn on all water supplies today, then we are going to check for leaks etc tomorrow. He did seem to think that the seller did leave the gas/electric on and left the heating on low. But we shall see tomorrow.