Do you guys test everything before buying?

scarletjim

Having asked quite a few friends and work colleagues, I'm getting some very different answers on what the 'etiquette' is for testing all the appliances, utilities etc in the house that I've agred to buy (but not exchanged yet).

Some people say well you are buying it so you have every right to flick every switch, turn on every tap etc, but do people really do that? Other people have said to me that if a prospective buyer did that to them, they'd be inclined to pull out of the sale or at least be as awkward as possible when it comes to completion as they would feel insulted. Totally opposite opinions!

I don't have any reason whatsoever to distrust the owners, but equally I don't want to not test things if that's 'the done thing' - any thoughts?

Also, is the fixtures anf fittings form mandatory or standard, or do I need to ask my solicitor to seek this?

G_M

I test.

I check hot water comes out of the taps. And that when the thermostat is turned up/down the boiler switches on/off.

If I was buying the washing machine etc, I'd make sure it worked.

I'd look at the fusebox and plugs/switches.

I'd poke my head in the attic (with a torch).

I'm spending £X00,000 for gods sake! I want to know what I'm getting in return.

If the seller objects, I figure he has something to hide.

Note: people who buy 2nd hand cars, costing £2000, probobly spend longer 'testing' them than most house-buyers!

LandyAndy

I wouldn't buy without two (at least) viewings.

For me that detailed testing is for the second viewing and, yes, I would check everything I could.

LandyAndy

I reported that as SPAM.

googler

Ask the seller if you can test things. A confident seller will say Yes without hesitation. Any hesitation, a No or Maybe should ring alarm bells.

Perhaps folk should petition either the Govt or The Law Society in E&W for standard contract terms, such as;

"The Seller undertakes that any systems or appliances of a working nature (including central heating, water, drainage, electric and gas) forming part of the Property will be in working order commensurate with age as at the Date of Settlement.

The Seller will make good any defect which prevents any system or appliance being in such order provided said defect is intimated in writing within 5 working days of settlement. Failing such intimation, the Purchaser will be deemed to be satisfied as to the position.

The Seller will only be responsible for carrying out any necessary repairs to put any system or appliance into such order and shall have no liability for any element of upgrading (except to the extent such upgrading is required to put any such system or appliance into such order).

The lack of any regular service or maintenance of any system or appliance or the fact that it may no longer comply with current installation regulations shall not, of itself, be deemed to be a defect.

The Purchaser shall be entitled to execute any necessary repairs at the expense of the Seller without reference to the Seller or the Seller’s tradesmen (i) in the event of an emergency; (ii) in the event that the Seller’s tradesmen do not inspect the alleged
defects within 5 working days of intimation; or (iii) in the event that any necessary repairs are not carried out within 5 working days of inspection.

The Seller confirms that he has received no notice or intimation from any third party that any system (or any part thereof) is in an unsafe or dangerous condition."

This is standard stuff in Scottish sales.

Hermia

When a friend of mine bought her first flat she didn't think to open the cupboards in the house. When she moved in she discovered that some of the kitchen cupboards didn't have proper backs to them and mice were able to get in. It took her months to sort it out and get rid of the mice. So, she has been looking for another place and opening the kitchen cupboards during the viewing and, of course, the owners have been horrified and insulted!

harrup

Hermia wrote: »

When a friend of mine bought her first flat she didn't think to open the cupboards in the house. When she moved in she discovered that some of the kitchen cupboards didn't have proper backs to them and mice were able to get in. It took her months to sort it out and get rid of the mice. So, she has been looking for another place and opening the kitchen cupboards during the viewing and, of course, the owners have been horrified and insulted!

LOL! Must say that whilst I understand where your friend is coming from given her experience...if a potential buyer opened my kitchen cupboards or built in wardrobes without politely asking whether this would be ok...I'd ask them to leave.

As always - it often isn't WHAT you do but HOW you do it that gets peoples hackles up. Intrigued why your friend didn't simply explain to the vendors why s/he wanted to see the back of the kitchen unit.

DRP

harrup wrote: »

LOL! Must say that whilst I understand where your friend is coming from given her experience...if a potential buyer opened my kitchen cupboards or built in wardrobes without politely asking whether this would be ok...I'd ask them to leave.

As always - it often isn't WHAT you do but HOW you do it that gets peoples hackles up. Intrigued why your friend didn't simply explain to the vendors why s/he wanted to see the back of the kitchen unit.

who knows what goes on during viewings?

i would (and have) certainly open cupboards on my 2nd visit.

I also wouldn't give the EA/vendor much notice of this (ie. ring the EA an hour before the viewing takes place), to prevent an attempted 'cover up' :A

LittleMissAspie

I turned on some taps and opened built in wardrobes to see the size, did feel awkward doing it though. Those were only the viewings with EAs, I felt doubly as awkward when the owners were around. The best owner viewings we had were when they stayed out the way and let us wander around at our leisure.

In the house we actually bought I tried turning the living room fire on, the EA got all funny and said they hadn't tested any appliances, she kind of gave the impression we might all get gassed to death! That was after our offer had been accepted too so I felt like I had a right to use things at that point, but I'm unassertive so I left it. I also rang the doorbell on my way out to check it worked, my parents laughed at me but I've lived with a broken doorbell before and it's really annoying!

harrup wrote: »

if a potential buyer opened my kitchen cupboards or built in wardrobes without politely asking whether this would be ok...I'd ask them to leave.

Seriously? Why do people get so touchy when they are selling? Buyers are there to view your house, that means looking at what they are buying.

googler

LittleMissAspie wrote: »

I turned on some taps and opened built in wardrobes to see the size, did feel awkward doing it though. Those were only the viewings with EAs

I'd expect the EA to open them for the viewers, to show what shelving/hanging etc there was..... only for built-in, though, not for any freestanding

In the house we actually bought I tried turning the living room fire on, the EA got all funny and said they hadn't tested any appliances, she kind of gave the impression we might all get gassed to death!

I take the EA's side on this - the EA is responsible for leaving the house in a safe condition after you and they leave. They're taking it on trust that you've switched it off properly, haven't dislodged anything etc .....

If there's some 'quirk' in the operation of some appliance that you're not aware of, that the owner hasn't made clear to the EA.....

reset1

When I was buying, I open a few cupboards and turn on a few taps to check the pressure but I don't check everything I think that would be too intrusive.