Problems found after moving into house

MarkBargain

ToasterScheme wrote: »

Does this cold radiator have a thermostatic valve on it already?

If so, sometimes these can get stuck closed, especially if they are old or if the valve is turned off for a while, e.g. over the summer.

Remove the top part of the valve (the bit you turn to set the heat level) - using the knurled nut at the base of it. Don't use a tool (if this is tight you're probably undoing the wrong part...). You won't lose any water by doing this.
Inside there will be a small pin that should be free to move up and down by 2 or 3 mm. If it seems stuck, grab it gently with a pair of pliers and try to pull it vertically upwards.
Don't bend it or hit it with a hammer.

It's a really good idea to compare it with a working rad to see what sort of travel is normal for your make of valve.

In my last house this was part of my routine for switching on the heating in the autumn.

You were absolutely right. Radiator now working fine. Thanks very much!

juliebunny

geoffky wrote: »

Our solicitor insisted that we do a inspection on moving in day and insisted that money was held back until we phoned her with the ok..
She was amazing and had to handhold the other solicitors through a big problem with there being two sets of deeds and marked boundary problems that need a land registry visit...6 months later we moved in..

This is such a good idea, the only problem being of course that on moving day, it's all too rushed and chaotic, and chances are you are organising removals etc at the old place. Or in my case, getting the cat out from behind the washing machine, with the help of the poor bloke waiting to move in!

I'm learning a lot from this thread too though and when I move next time, I won't be !!!!! footing around the vendors feelings like I did last time - it's my hard earned money I'm handing over after all.

A friend of mine bought a house with small yard and old stables (now a rescue shelter) from an AWFUL man and when she moved in he had taken all the stable doors OFF, the back door didn't shut and a million other problems!! She found dead birds in cages around the yard, and the neighbours were so glad she had moved in they were baking her pies and passing them over the fence! The man was so awful she just got on with repairs which are still ongoing almost 2 years later.

Mayflower10cat

One more thought from me; when you move into a new home it's a good idea to change the locks. You have no idea who else might still have a key(s) to your property.

greenhill

If you've moved in in the last few months, could we have a Rightmove link?

I'm dying to see if we can spot the missing doors!

geoffky

juliebunny wrote: »

This is such a good idea, the only problem being of course that on moving day, it's all too rushed and chaotic, and chances are you are organising removals etc at the old place. Or in my case, getting the cat out from behind the washing machine, with the help of the poor bloke waiting to move in!

I'm learning a lot from this thread too though and when I move next time, I won't be !!!!! footing around the vendors feelings like I did last time - it's my hard earned money I'm handing over after all.

A friend of mine bought a house with small yard and old stables (now a rescue shelter) from an AWFUL man and when she moved in he had taken all the stable doors OFF, the back door didn't shut and a million other problems!! She found dead birds in cages around the yard, and the neighbours were so glad she had moved in they were baking her pies and passing them over the fence! The man was so awful she just got on with repairs which are still ongoing almost 2 years later.

The solicitor provided us with a move in pack with a tick box check list of things to check within hours of moving in..And it was really a well thought out document..

googler

juliebunny wrote: »

Apparently in Scotland, if the heating doesn't work and you move in over Winter, you can bill back to the previous owner.

Whether you move in Winter, Summer or Fall has nothing to do with it.

If you move in, and any of the major systems in the property - electric, gas, water, heating - have defects over and above general wear and tear commensurate with their age, you have recourse to the previous owner within a timeframe of 7 days (typically) - if you don't speak up within 7 days, you're assumed to be happy.

I posted an extract of the relevant contract terms yesterday in another thread - click on my name and find more posts to see it.

Del_Astra

juliebunny wrote: »

The thing is, when you are looking round a house, and the current owners are still there, it's pretty uncomfortable to start testing out electric sockets etc - you do have to assume that generally people have some sort of common decency - even though there will be those who hide behind 'buyer beware'.

When I moved into my house, I asked to go round again so they could show us how the boiler worked and they were really huffing and puffing about it, but at least it showed that it all worked. They left the house in good conditon and even had the carpets cleaned - there were a few dodgy bits of DIY mind you, but haven't found anything major (yet!)

Apparently in Scotland, if the heating doesn't work and you move in over Winter, you can bill back to the previous owner.
And I knew a woman who had her solicitor hold back funds on the day she was moving in due to damage at the property - not sure how she managed that one - getting into the property before the funds had been tranferred.

What do you do if the previous owners have had a massive party and trashed the place? It seems unfair that there should be no recourse at all. I guess you do live and learn from bad experiences, and it's good to share too.

The bit about Scotland is nearly right, what we have is system where by for 1 week after the sale (I think is called Standard Conditions in Edinburgh anyway), you can inform your Easte Agent of any issues, boiler etc and the seller is responsible for putting them right. Or rather your Solicitor / Estate Agent will attempt to get them to fix it.

TBH in my experience its not really worth the hassle, we reported stuff, they send two letters if the buyer doesn't respond you can pay for further legal letter / advice. I paid for a replacement lock and handle for an exterior door and fitted myself. Got heating system flushed by Brother (register Gas safe). One of the faults was the fire wouldn't turn on, that was our error we weren't operating it correctly.

The only issue we got from our buyer was the toilet wouldn't flush (it did when we left) and I stated that to my solicitor who replied stating that and we never heard anything further.

Back to the OP however, were you not advised to change the locks anyway? I've only bought two properties and each time used different solicitors but both have advised me to change the locks on moving in. Not knowing the age of the property, but I think it would be worth it to get elecs and heating checked out now you are in, if nothing else it will give you peace of mind.

gayleanne

I think that this is a case of moaning for the sake of moaning, these complaints are so trivial, that any one with a bit of common sense could have solved them within minutes. What is going to happen when you get a REAL problem, dial 999?

MarkBargain

greenhill wrote: »

If you've moved in in the last few months, could we have a Rightmove link?

I'm dying to see if we can spot the missing doors!

There were no door frames in the pictures, so it isn't possible to tell. Not to worry, we have a stack of new doors now and they will be fitted in due course.

MarkBargain

Del_Astra wrote: »

Back to the OP however, were you not advised to change the locks anyway? I've only bought two properties and each time used different solicitors but both have advised me to change the locks on moving in. Not knowing the age of the property, but I think it would be worth it to get elecs and heating checked out now you are in, if nothing else it will give you peace of mind.

Yes, good advice I think.