Vendor not able to provide some certificates

jonny_power

The house we're buying has been treated for a bit of damp, and had a boiler installed a few years ago, however the seller can't provide a guarantee for the DPC and timber replacement (just an invoice), not a certificate to prove the boiler was installed by a registered plumber. The boiler has been regularly serviced by a registered plumber. Any advice? We're about to instruct a full building survey. Our solicitor has mentioned about getting indemnity insurance from them?? If there's an issue then what would be fair to ask for?

Thanks!

Richard_Webster

Boiler - get a gas safety certificate from a Gas Safe engineer - there may be one form previous service. A Building regulation Indemnity Insurance would probably be needed to cover the lack of an installation certificate.

Damp & Timber - First thing is check whether the company/business that did the work is still trading. If you can't find them then guarantee worthless anyway so not worth having. If there isn't really an obvious damp or timber problem then you might feel that this is something you can worry about later if and when an issue arises.

Doozergirl

If the boiler is being serviced and certified safe then it will be safe. That is far more relevant than a piece of paper saying it was safe a few years ago.

The indemnity policy for the outstanding would be needed to satisfy a mortgage company, but it's better to apply common sense to these things. How old is the damp proofing invoice? Does it show that the company was registered with a relevant body? If they are, then they should be able to provide a guarantee - however, damp companies are renowned for denying claims or closing down.

Doozergirl

Richard_Webster wrote: »

Boiler - get a gas safety certificate from a Gas Safe engineer - there may be one form previous service. A Building regulation Indemnity Insurance would probably be needed to cover the lack of an installation certificate.

Damp & Timber - First thing is check whether the company/business that did the work is still trading. If you can't find them then guarantee worthless anyway so not worth having. If there isn't really an obvious damp or timber problem then you might feel that this is something you can worry about later if and when an issue arises.

You beat me

jungle_jane

The vendor shouldn't mind getting the insurance if they can't produce the certificate - i had exactly this a couple of weeks ago when i was completing on my new house...vendor couldn't produce the compliance certificate and she bought the insurance at a cost of about £70. She was happy to pay up and I am sure yours will be too seeing as she is unable to produce the documentation that your mortgage company will want to see before proceeding.

jonny_power

great stuff, thanks everyone for your really helpful replies.