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Exchanging Contracts Soon but now My heater has broke

Hi, we are due to exchange in the next few days, but one of our electric heaters has packed up. It's only 5 years old, the first trouble we've had with it. It may be a simple fix or maybe not. We are using a fan heater for the time being but what is the best course action. It seems to be a bit of a specialist heater so it may be difficult to locate the right person to fix it in the next couple of weeks.

Ideally, I want to get it fixed myself before we move out. If I cannot do that and tell the solicitor about the heater where do I stand? Am I responsible for paying my buyers bills no matter what it amounts to?
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Comments

  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I assume this is a property you are selling?

    What do you mean by 'electric heater'? Part of the central heating system? A stand-alone heater? Is it listed in the F&F list?

    If the buyers are expecting this particulaer heater to be in working order, don't you think you have an obligation to leave it in working order> How would you feel if YOU were the buyer?
  • Fire_Fox
    Fire_Fox Posts: 26,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Have you discussed this with your conveyancer?
    Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
  • It's a stand alone heater, not discussed it yet, trying to get an electrician in so I guess if i can get it fixed before we exchange i need not mention it but if it's still not fixed on exchange should i mention it then.....i will still hopefully be able to get it fixed before completion. But if not what happens then? Should I just tell my solicitor right away and say, look I'm trying to get it fixed?
  • olias
    olias Posts: 3,588 Forumite
    TBH, I wouldn't even bother. Anyway, is it not the buyers responsibility to check it is working?

    Olias
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Why are you leaving a stand-alone heater? IS IT INCLUDED ON THE LIST OF F & Fs?

    If yes, there is an implied agreement it works, so fix or replace it.
    If no, take it with you.
  • olias wrote: »
    TBH, I wouldn't even bother. Anyway, is it not the buyers responsibility to check it is working?

    Olias

    That's not my understanding - in the contract there is a questionnaire which asks you if all the appliances included in the property are in good working order. I understand that if I did nothing then I would face legal action? This is how I understand it anyway.
  • olias
    olias Posts: 3,588 Forumite
    For a stand alone electric heater which I guess is worth about £100? I doubt it. I've never moved into a house yet where there hasn't been minor things wrong or not working - it goes with the territory. It would be a different matter if it was an £8K central heating system that was u/s, but a single stand alone leccy heater?

    Olias
  • artbaron
    artbaron Posts: 7,285 Forumite
    That's not my understanding - in the contract there is a questionnaire which asks you if all the appliances included in the property are in good working order. I understand that if I did nothing then I would face legal action? This is how I understand it anyway.

    Not in the one I recently signed there wasn't. Before I left the washer packed up and I left £150 by way of a good will gesture (never got any thanks for that) but I didn't have to, it's up to the buyer to check the appliances.
  • sorry my mistake, it's not stand alone but one of these electric panel heaters

    http://www.cnmonline.co.uk/Creda-NOBO-Series-14-Electric-Panel-Heater-pr-37146.html
  • keyser666
    keyser666 Posts: 2,140 Forumite
    Basically a storage heater fixed to the wall
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