Vendor says it too much hassle to let me test the utilities

stator

You're being perfectly reasonable. Most home buyers would want to do the same.
The other possibility is some kind of retention agreement. Hold back 10k of the purchase price until everything is up and running again. And if there are any faults the money to fix them comes out of the £10k before it's paid to the seller.

Hoploz

MorticiaDuvall wrote: »

the vendor even said it costs money to get everything back on too. I have no idea where these switches are.

Sounds like whatever happens you'll need to budget for the cost of having things back on ... Could they have been disconnected due to a previous tenant failing to pay bills or something? Maybe it's a bit more complicated than just being empty?

Having said that, I have just sold a property which was tenanted until we put it on the market. It was therefore vacant during the sale process for a couple of months and I have just had to get my plumber to do work on the system as an emergency before completion, due to a leak ... This would not have been necessary if I had thought to turn the water off!! (Of course, it would then have been the responsibility of the new unexpecting owner when they started using it!)

Guest101

MorticiaDuvall wrote: »

An offer has been accepted and solicitor has been instructed. A sold STC sign is on the agents website.

My solicitor received vendor's questionnaire and have reviewed it. I'm given the opportunity to make pre-contract enquiries but want to view again to double check things before I put my enquiries in writing hence my appointment tomorrow. Testing the utilities will be on the enquiry form if I'm not shown it all tomorrow.

Guest101, you say water and electric is just a switch so does that mean even the agent should be able to do this? the vendor even said it costs money to get everything back on too. I have no idea where these switches are.

If the LL has drained the water it's abit more hassle, if they've just turned the stop tap it's very straight forward.

The electricity switch is at the fuse box

If they've had supply shut off - you should make sure its on before you buy!

googler

You haven't made an offer. The vendor spends half a day getting things set up for you, then you change your mind, or see another house you want, or drop out for any other reason.

What then? The vendor has to drain down their house again.

ReadingTim

To be honest, you're coming over a bit paranoid and neurotic OP and if I was the vendor, I wouldn't be too keen on entertaining such behavior so early in the house buying process - this could be the thin end of the wedge including demands for further visits to check the weatherproofness of the windows or the regularity of the rubbish collection.

You may think the vendor's trying to pull a fast one, but you have to make sure you don't give him reasons to think you're wasting his time...

tea-bag

MorticiaDuvall wrote: »

An offer has been accepted and solicitor has been instructed. A sold STC sign is on the agents website.

My solicitor received vendor's questionnaire and have reviewed it. I'm given the opportunity to make pre-contract enquiries but want to view again to double check things before I put my enquiries in writing hence my appointment tomorrow. Testing the utilities will be on the enquiry form if I'm not shown it all tomorrow.

Guest101, you say water and electric is just a switch so does that mean even the agent should be able to do this? the vendor even said it costs money to get everything back on too. I have no idea where these switches are.

I was under the impression no offer had been made. The problem maybe that the person is not practical and will have to get a plumber in to do the work? Thus another unneeded cost. If it worries you that much offer to cover the cost if it all works as it is something you would need to do anyway. Unless the place has been squatted and meters removed turning on water gas and electric is just a switch, pull and turn.

jhs14

MorticiaDuvall wrote: »

jhs14 - isn't gas and CH same thing?

I never mentioned gas. Theyre not the same, no. The boiler may be gas, but just because the gas cooker works doesn't mean the gas boiler will.

So tomorrow (or some point before exchange of contract at least) I would like to test the gas by turning the cooker on, test water by turning taps on and flushing loo and test electric by taking my phone charger to put in the socket. Please let me know if there is a more better way to test things.

All that is fine, and will be very easy to check. It's the hot water and especially central heating that could be a hassle for the vendor, because the system may be drained down (ie, no water in the pipes/radiator)

But note that putting your phone charger in the socket will tell you nothing about the safety/servicibility of the electrics. If you have concerns then get an electrics survey.

G_M

Solution is to pay for the services to be turned on.

Gas, electric, water might just be a tap/switch. But if there's no account in place it's a much bigger deal.

Even if the central heating is gas-fired, 'gas' and 'central heating' are not the same. Gas supply may be fine, but boiler bust. Boiler may be fine, but radiators leak, or blocked with sludge. Radiators may be fine, but thermostat/ time-controls faulty.........

MorticiaDuvall

I didn't realise I could withhold x amount to cover for eventual costs if need be. After tomorrow's visit I will get back to my solicitor about pre contract enquiries.

ReadingTim - I am an Aspie (Aspergers Syndrome but I even debate having it to be honest) though I am high functioning. I am not good at playing games (as that's what I'm told buying is), as I can't always read body language, tones or emotions and I can not read between lines. Things do have to be explained to me clearly step by step. I do not have help from family either (some have worse learning difficulties themselves).

I have been conned before and was told it was my fault as I didn't ask specifically for precise clarity and I'm unable to easily tell when someone withholds information. I rely on others telling me things as some things do not occur to me to research until I stumble across the issue.

Hoploz

Have you got a solicitor in place? If I were you I'd choose a local firm. That way you can go in and talk to them face to face about any concerns. Much easier to have things you're unsure of explained this way. I found my solicitor really helpful when I went to see her regarding a few bits and bobs that needed ironing out