Can I insist on a boiler service for my house purchase

camperdown9

Hi

You can't insist but you can ask for the boiler to be serviced. If the vender says no then it up to you as to your next move.

Just remember that before exchange there is nothing to stop you walking away from the purchase. However the vender can also walk a way from the sale.

A friend of mine had agreed to buy a house. Everything had been done and they were just about to exchange, when he decided that he didn't like the state of the garage roof. He asked the vender to fix it, they refused. He then tried to get the priced reduced, which is what he really wanted. The vender responded with a letter via the solicitors to say that they no longer wanted to continue with the sale. In the end he did get the house, but he ended up paying more than the original agreed price.

Buying a house is not like buying anything else really. You spend money getting surveys and searches etc. For most people all that gives them is an educated guess as to the state of the property. In the end it up to you if you proceed with the purchase or not. I guaranteed within a month or so of moving in you will notice cracks in walls, dripping taps, toilets that are noisier than they should be and the results of other peoples DIY. Its never perfect!

Million_Percent

If you're concerned over the condition of the boiler then you pay for an engineer to inspect it and then decide what to do. But even if the engineer's report comes back and says the boiler should be replaced, doesn't mean the vendor is obliged to do anything about it or reduce the asking price. The asking price would likely reflect the fact that the boiler is old. Simply put, if you want a new boiler, be prepared to pay for it yourself.

missprice

You could have a service done at your expense or the vendors expense, makes no difference to the boiler, neither does it make certain that the boiler will be working the day after.
Bit like an MOT, its a snapshot in time of what's working and what isn't.

Personally I wouldn't push the issue if you want the house. if your not so bothered then crack on trying to make them.

Million_Percent

missprice wrote: »

You could have a service done at your expense or the vendors expense, makes no difference to the boiler, neither does it make certain that the boiler will be working the day after.
Bit like an MOT, its a snapshot in time of what's working and what isn't.

Personally I wouldn't push the issue if you want the house. if your not so bothered then crack on trying to make them.

I agree with this. There is no guarantee. The boiler could pack up 2 months after you move in or it could last another few years. I'd be budgeting to replace it within the first year if it is as old as you believe it to be. Unfortunately these kind of costs are just part owning your own home. It's like owning a car - sooner or later something will break down and require replacement or repair.