PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING
Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
HomeBuyer Report has issues...

kt4gerrard
Posts: 16 Forumite
Hello,
We are first time buyers and currently in the process of purchasing a 3 bed semi for £124,950.
The property was built in 1950 and we were expecting to have to do some upgrading, but we have received the HomeBuyers Report through and it highlights a little more than we were expecting.
The only areas that score 3 (Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaces or investigated urgently) are Electrics and Heating - so the important stuff!
~**~
(wording from the report)
Electrics -
The meter and consumer unit can be found under the stairs. Where visible, the installation has been wired in plastic covered cable.
The insulation appears dated. There are safety deficiencies. For example, the consumer unit does not incorporate modern circuit protection devices and there is limited evidence of cross bonding. It is not mandatory to bring an old installation up to modern standards, although this is desirable and recommended as a matter of good practice. The electrical installation should be inspected by a suitably competent person registered with the Electrical Contractors Association or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, prior to exchange of contracts.
This is considered to be a hazard and safety risk and requires urgent attention
Heating –
Central heating and hot water is provided by the gas fired boiler which is located in the kitchen. It is an old unit and will therefore require more frequent repair than a modern one. There may also be difficulty in obtaining spares. If it is to be replaced, then in order to comply with modern regulations, a condensing type boiler will need to be fitted.
The system was not operating at the time of inspection and we therefore cannot comment on its effectiveness.
A few radiators are rusting and should be replaced.
The plastic feed tank in the roof space, which serves the central heating boiler like the main storage tank, is covered by insulation and is hidden from view. We therefore cannot advise you on its true condition or serviceability.
We are not aware of any service agreement for the central heating boiler and your legal adviser should check the service records with the present owner. We refer you to our advice in Section I. If no servicing has been carried out within the last 12 months then this should be undertaken prior to occupation and use.
~**~
So, should we be looking to get the vendor to sort any of this our before we exchange contracts? Does he have any obligation to, if we ask? For example, could we ask him to get the boiler checked prior to exchange?
Our solicitor is not being very helpful at all, and I am struggling to get in touch with him.
We believe that the house is a very good price for the area it is in, and needs work, so the price reflects this, but I want to make sure we’re not buying an unsafe house.
Thank you in advance
We are first time buyers and currently in the process of purchasing a 3 bed semi for £124,950.
The property was built in 1950 and we were expecting to have to do some upgrading, but we have received the HomeBuyers Report through and it highlights a little more than we were expecting.
The only areas that score 3 (Defects that are serious and/or need to be repaired, replaces or investigated urgently) are Electrics and Heating - so the important stuff!
~**~
(wording from the report)
Electrics -
The meter and consumer unit can be found under the stairs. Where visible, the installation has been wired in plastic covered cable.
The insulation appears dated. There are safety deficiencies. For example, the consumer unit does not incorporate modern circuit protection devices and there is limited evidence of cross bonding. It is not mandatory to bring an old installation up to modern standards, although this is desirable and recommended as a matter of good practice. The electrical installation should be inspected by a suitably competent person registered with the Electrical Contractors Association or the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, prior to exchange of contracts.
This is considered to be a hazard and safety risk and requires urgent attention
Heating –
Central heating and hot water is provided by the gas fired boiler which is located in the kitchen. It is an old unit and will therefore require more frequent repair than a modern one. There may also be difficulty in obtaining spares. If it is to be replaced, then in order to comply with modern regulations, a condensing type boiler will need to be fitted.
The system was not operating at the time of inspection and we therefore cannot comment on its effectiveness.
A few radiators are rusting and should be replaced.
The plastic feed tank in the roof space, which serves the central heating boiler like the main storage tank, is covered by insulation and is hidden from view. We therefore cannot advise you on its true condition or serviceability.
We are not aware of any service agreement for the central heating boiler and your legal adviser should check the service records with the present owner. We refer you to our advice in Section I. If no servicing has been carried out within the last 12 months then this should be undertaken prior to occupation and use.
~**~
So, should we be looking to get the vendor to sort any of this our before we exchange contracts? Does he have any obligation to, if we ask? For example, could we ask him to get the boiler checked prior to exchange?
Our solicitor is not being very helpful at all, and I am struggling to get in touch with him.
We believe that the house is a very good price for the area it is in, and needs work, so the price reflects this, but I want to make sure we’re not buying an unsafe house.
Thank you in advance
0
Comments
-
No. YOU pay for a heating contractor to check the system. There could be nothing at all wrong with it. It could be working perfectly satisfactorily up until the day you move in. And then it will be your problem.
There's nothing substantially wrong with the electrics either. It's just that they don't conform to current regs and they don't have to but that does not mean they they will fail or cause any issues.0 -
Thank you.
So the report says:
"The electrical installation should be inspected by a suitably competent person registered with the Electrical Contractors Association or the
National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting, prior to
exchange of contracts"
is this something I should be arranging or I should be asking him to?
0 -
A standard caveat on all house surveys is that you need to get boilers and electrics tested by competent people. The reality, from that description, is that the consumer unit isn't 17th edition compliant. That is to say that it does not meet all current criteria not that it is dangerous or faulty. As for the heating comments, the house is 60 years old, you wouldn't expect it to be perfect. As above, get the correct competent people to do more than just a visual inspection.Some people don't exaggerate........... They just remember big!0
-
Any checks which are undertaken should be arranged and paid for by you. If the current owners agree for them to take place. Which they don't have to.
The bit which you have quoted from the report is what every single Surveyor puts in it as they are not competent or qualified to carry out said checks themselves. It's all part of their backside covering and does not suggest that said checks are actually needed.0 -
Its suggesting that if you wanted to be extra cautious you could have an electrician check it before you complete. Due to the age of the house I would suggest that it's unlikely that you would get the vendor to do this. You'll be looking at £50-100 for an inspection/reportSome people don't exaggerate........... They just remember big!0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.6K Life & Family
- 254.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards