Negotiating for a house - asbestos etc

Abs77

Hi

We are in the process of buying a 1960s house with a floor standing boiler. As the house is in probate we have to put everything through the executors, and we have asked them to produce evidence that the boiler has been serviced recently as we are moving in the depths of winter with two small children and don't want to be left with no heating! They have said they can't find the paper work and if we want it serviced we have to pay for it ourselves. Is this unreasonable?

We have also uncovered an asbestos water tank in the loft, which is in good condition, but we would like it removed as don't fancy bathing the kids in the water. The local builder has said he could do this for £300 as it is in good condition and not a difficult job. We haven't negotiated on this as yet, do you think it is something we should, or it is just part and parcel of buying a house of this era? There is also asbestos on the garage roof, but no damage there so we don't think this is negotiable.

Thoughts much appreciated as it is a different ball game when the vendor is dead!!

Thanks

motherofstudents

Whether it is reasonable or not is debatable. In my opinion, it's reasonable for you to have checks done on the boiler at your own cost. If the results were that the boiler was unusable then it would seem reasonable for you to ask the vendor for a contribution to the cost of replacement.

The asbestos tank may be more reasonable for you to pay for as it is not faulty but it is your preference to have it replaced.

There is not a huge difference when the vendor is dead as you can still negotiate with the executors. The only thing is they may not have first hand knowledge of any issues.

hazyjo

Just as a note - I hope the 'local builder' would use asbestos removing professionals. You can't just pull it out and bin it.

As above, I think costs are down to you. Nobody's legally obliged to have their boiler serviced. I'd make sure you had enough in reserve to replace it should the need arise. Presumably you saw it before offering on the house - if that's the case, I don't really see how you can renegotiate.

Jx

artbaron

You don't have to use specific asbestos disposal teams but the tradesmen do have to observe certain procedures, and it costs a fortune if you don't want to jump through hoops and do it yourself (which you might want to do if you can be bothered - I can't). As an example, the cheapest quote for disposal of a dozen or so sheets from my garage roof is £500, and that's excluding the actual labour. You have to balance this with the fact asbestos isn't dangerous if you don't spend a lifetime working with it, so you don't need to remove it for its own sake.

dimbo61

If its a 1960,s house with an old boiler and central heating and you have 2 young kids could you check out the energy firms and see if they offer free cavity and loft insulation?
I hear an advert on the radio about a free central heating offer from a local company if on benefits.
One on TV offering low payments over 5 years for new Bosch Boiler
£3/3,500 for whole new central heating with good Valliant boiler

Better_Days

Does the tank have to be removed? Would it be cheaper just to put in a new one and leave the old one there?

I agree with motherofstudents, if you want the boiler checked, then I think you should pay for the check. Do you know how long the house has been empty and have the pipes been drained down?