Buyer requesting we service our boiler prior to exchange - reasonable?

G_M

JencParker wrote: »

I agree with those saying that it is down to the vendor to get someone in - how much is a service? I recently paid £85 for mine, and would worry if they were going to be a problem buyer insisting a service is done. Having said that - I would be a bit concerned about the safety aspect of it not having been serviced for 4 years - has it not concerned YOU not having it serviced? Perhaps I'm a worrier as I always have a carbon monoxide detector after my parent 2 year old boiler started giving off CO.

All boilers give off a minimal amount of CO2 which is a destructive gas to the environment, in huge quantities, but totally harmless to home occupants.

Many owners don't bother with annual services and most boilers continue to work efficiently and safely. Having a CO alarm nearby is a sensible precaution though

Marvel1

I haven't mine serviced in 4 years or more, the only annual requirement is Landlords I believe.

Come to think of it, I haven't had the annual check of electrics or water.

When I had this house, I had my own enginner to service it before completion (changed since, did not break down, there was a local scheme going and a free combi boiler for not claiming any benefits and being a FTB!)

marleyboy

JencParker wrote: »

You were lucky - a service would be no guarantee that the boiler wouldn't break down over the next year! If you were that worried, why didn't you get someone to look at it?

Simple really, had I have paid £50 for someone to say the boiler is condemned, thus removing my interest in the property, as oppose to bartering it from the value, meant it was not my problem.

I had offered the asking price based on the condition the boiler had an independent service. It was for me, a case of the seller agreeing to have it done or calling off the sale.

Sammydog

Our house has an old boiler which we have rarely had serviced over the years but it has worked faultlessly.
I wrongly assumed it would be a requirement to have it serviced and a safety cert issued so I filled in our forms to say paperwork would be provided.
In the event it was all fine but it certainly proves nothing as to how long it will last post completion and I expect nothing more from any appliances in the house I am buying.

Davesnave

marleyboy wrote: »

It was for me, a case of the seller agreeing to have it done or calling off the sale.

I've never bought a house where the condition of the boiler would have been a deal breaker.

If that situation arose, I'd be worried about my attitude towards the house!

Mickygg

I was asked to service boiler by my buyers. I refused.
I refuse to pay for something that someone else wants when (a) they could still pull out of sale anyway and (b) the £50 to service could end up costing a lot, lot more depending on what the service finds.

My solicitor completely agreed and said it is down to the buyer at their expense if they want it.

If you bow to the service, they may ask for electric report, damp report etc. happened to a friend of mine many years ago. They didn't listen to me when I said don't pay for the service, they got clobbered for other costs, which they paid unfortunately.

Slouching_wolf

Mickygg wrote: »

I was asked to service boiler by my buyers. I refused.
I refuse to pay for something that someone else wants when (a) they could still pull out of sale anyway and (b) the £50 to service could end up costing a lot, lot more depending on what the service finds.

My solicitor completely agreed and said it is down to the buyer at their expense if they want it.

If you bow to the service, they may ask for electric report, damp report etc. happened to a friend of mine many years ago. They didn't listen to me when I said don't pay for the service, they got clobbered for other costs, which they paid unfortunately.

We've decided to pay for this, but there is no way on earth we will be paying for any other reports or inspections. To be fair, we should have had it serviced and I've found a company who will do it for £57.

stardust09

I know that people will alway neglect gas safety checks but I can't understand the logic of this. It only takes one faulty boiler and its odourless carbon monoxide gas to KILL (remember the recent Thomas Cook holiday case). That might not even be you, as the Gas Safety people say, in flats and terraced housing this can seep through to neighbouring properties. Ok, so this might only be a small chance but why take the chance?

I couldn't live with my conscience if one (or all) of my family, or neighbours, died just because I didn't pay for a relatively cheap safety check. Plus, as others pointed out, an efficiently running boiler will save you money over time too compared to a never-serviced one.

There is a lot of useful information and money-saving tips on the Gas Safety site: http://www.gassaferegister.co.uk. Please read this before saying, "Oh, I'm perfectly safe."

I'm not surprised the buyer wants a check after no servicing for 4 years.

Davesnave

stardust09 wrote: »

I know that people will alway neglect gas safety checks but I can't understand the logic of this. It only takes one faulty boiler and its odourless CO2 gas to KILL (remember the recent Thomas Cook holiday case).

Your message would have slightly greater impact if you could be sure yourself about the difference between carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2)

GoldenShadow

There is a news story at the moment about a house that had a gas explosion and killed the two occupants. I always wonder what exactly causes those.

We looked at a house where owner had been 2.5 years. Wanted loads more money and had done nothing (including servicing the boiler), we were quite put off as looked like the same level of 'can't be bothered' applied to the rest of the house.

Current house we are buying, boiler was serviced last year but not sure quite what month. As it was done last year we aren't bothered and will just get it done as soon as we move in. Just peace of mind for me, I too would worry people didn't give a monkeys about the rest of their house but I wouldn't expect it to be coughed up for as round here you would have to jog on.