Buying house - boiler not serviced for 10 years. What wouldl you do?

suebfg

The vendors were queried about the boiler as part of the survey and as part of the legal questionnaire so yes it is part of both. And we have only been shown around by the estate agents as opposed to the vendors which makes it a little trickier to ask these passing questions. And the offer was subject to survey and contract. I am thorough but sometimes you can only get down to the nitty gritty further on in the process.

ChrisEvanson

suebfg wrote: »

yes, it's buyer beware and this buyer is being aware.

But after the fact... after putting the offer in!

Ok so its done. As I have said before, basically you need to reduce your offer to take into account your concern re the boiler or you carry on and hope for the best.

I'm sorry - I am trying to help you. But I am frustrated because you keep contradicting yourself. You say you are aware but have put an offer in which you yourself is high end, then query about offering less than the asking price, then say you wouldn't be happy if you had to replace the boiler. To me you just haven't thought it out logically. I'm sorry you don't like this but you asked the question and I am honestly trying to help you see that you need to lower your offer or take it on the chin.

ChrisEvanson

suebfg wrote: »

The vendors were queried about the boiler as part of the survey and as part of the legal questionnaire so yes it is part of both. And we have only been shown around by the estate agents as opposed to the vendors which makes it a little trickier to ask these passing questions. And the offer was subject to survey and contract. I am thorough but sometimes you can only get down to the nitty gritty further on in the process.

I think we will need to agree to disagree. Yes you can ask the questions later in the process and adjust your offer downwards if you wish to. Thats not a way I like to work. I would make the offer based on assuming the worst in issues such as these, not the best, but would try to establish as much as I could first. Obviously you need to look at the roof, signs of damp, state of windows and doors, heating, lighting and electrics etc as part of the viewing process.

suebfg

See my previous post - it is completely impossible to investigate all issues thoroughly prior to agreeing an offer. A number of issues have come to light which could not have been foreseen in advance or with discussion with the vendor. Frankly I don't even think we will get to the question of the boiler.

suebfg

Of course we looked at all those things and the house seemed in good order and we made queries via the estate agent re a couple of things. But it's not possible to cover all eventualities at such an early stage.

And if you offer based on a worst case scenario, you will never buy a house ...

ChrisEvanson

suebfg wrote: »

See my previous post - it is completely impossible to investigate all issues thoroughly prior to agreeing an offer. A number of issues have come to light which could not have been foreseen in advance or with discussion with the vendor. Frankly I don't even think we will get to the question of the boiler.

See my previous posts....

Obviously the survey is important as is the legal process. I'm not saying they aren't.

Obviously you can't check everything before offer. What I don't understand is why you seem to have assumed it was serviced and working ok when putting your offer in. You had no evidence that it had, so why assume it was? If you didn't, then why didn't you submit an offer assuming it needed a service and repair, whether this be a notional £100, £300 or £500, or decided from looking at it that you wanted a replacement priced in?

I'm baffled. You put the offer in now are concerned about it. Sorry but like I say you need to take responsibility for things like this, the same as you don't assume a car sold 'as seen' is perfect.

suebfg

Oh I'm taking responsibility alright. As I've said, a boiler inspection will be carried out (provided we can get to the bottom of the legal issues that have been thrown up) and if it's not satisfactory, I'll reduce the offer - it's no problem at all.

ChrisEvanson

So you know what to do, so why ask the question?

You came on here for help, I offered help (as did others) and just get told what we are saying is ridiculous etc. I think maybe if you are going to ask for help be a bit more gracious about it because nobody has to help you and I for one am wondering why anyone on this thread bothered!

suebfg

No I took advice from some of the earlier 'helpful' posts and arrived at my decision about what to do. I think some people don't understand/have an issue with the 'offer is subject to survey and contract' - maybe you're one of them

ChrisEvanson

suebfg wrote: »

No I took advice from some of the earlier 'helpful' posts and arrived at my decision about what to do. I think some people don't understand/have an issue with the 'offer is subject to survey and contract' - maybe you're one of them

No, I just don't trust everyone else to check what I feel I should check myself. Its a sign of the times. YOU as a buyer should make basic checks - as I said this is part of the viewing process (2nd viewing as I suggested much earlier in the thread)

I didn't have to offer the benefit of my experience to you, but I did. A small 'thank you' isn't much to ask back instead of the aggresive responses because people don't all agree and sympathise with you. :mad: