Homebuyers report - opinions please

Paulaviki

Hi, we have received our homebuyers report today and the following 3's have been stated (I've not copied it word for word but you get the idea).

Drainage - get a drainage contractor to inspect and report prior to exchange.
Windows - upstairs opening lights prevent easy exit in case of fire and quote should be obtained prior to exchange for repair/improvement.
Gas - Boiler has not been serviced for some years and needs to be serviced before exchange. This is stated as urgent.
Electrics - should be inspected before exchange.

We are buying a 2 bed end of terrace which was built circa 1995. I don't think I need to be concerned about any of the above but as a FTB I don't really know!

Should I insist the sellers get the drains checked and boiler serviced? Will the solicitors insist any of this is done and ask for proof before exchange? How much would these checks etc be likely to cost us?

There were some 2's but nothing I'm bothered about.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

googler

How does the surveyor KNOW, from a look at the boiler, that it hasn't been serviced? He won't have opened it up to look, he won't be Gas Safe registered .... if all he's saying is that it doesn't have a service record, or a sticker on it saying "Serviced dd/mm/yy", that's different. That's just saying "I see no evidence that it's been serviced"

WHY should the electrics be inspected, in a house built less than 10 years ago? Again, the surveyor won't be a qualified electrician, he won't have opened up either the consumer unit, nor any other components ....

Paulaviki

googler wrote: »

How does the surveyor KNOW, from a look at the boiler, that it hasn't been serviced? He won't have opened it up to look, he won't be Gas Safe registered .... if all he's saying is that it doesn't have a service record, or a sticker on it saying "Serviced dd/mm/yy", that's different. That's just saying "I see no evidence that it's been serviced"

WHY should the electrics be inspected, in a house built less than 10 years ago? Again, the surveyor won't be a qualified electrician, he won't have opened up either the consumer unit, nor any other components ....

It's more like 19 years but yes I take your point!

He does say the vendors told him the boiler hasn't been service in some years. They bought it in 2009 so I wonder if it's ever been done while they've lived there!

googler

Sorry, my arithmetic is awry this evening....

pcgtron

There is absolutely nothing on there, that if I was selling the house to you I would do or knock any money off for. That is a surveyor covering their !!! imho

davidmcn

The drainage one sounds odd - what's the reason for that? Normally at most there's just a vague disclaimer that they haven't checked the drains, not a recommendation that you need to get someone in.

Paulaviki

I'm not worried about knocking money off the price, I'm happy with that. I'm more worried about how much these types of checks might cost me and whether they really have to be done before exchange or can wait until we are actually in. I would have got the boiler serviced anyway, but not sure about electrics and drains, and I'm not bothered about the windows.....

Paulaviki

davidmcn wrote: »

The drainage one sounds odd - what's the reason for that? Normally at most there's just a vague disclaimer that they haven't checked the drains, not a recommendation that you need to get someone in.

It says the rodding eye was stuck and couldn't be lifted. No access could be found at the rear, where access could be found at the front drains were found to be blocked and need clearing, and that once cleared repairs may be needed.