Homebuyer Survey without Electricity/Heating

Cependant

Hi, I'm a first time buyer looking for advice.
I've had an offer accepted on a Victorian terraced house and paid for a homebuyer report.
I've had the report back today, and it states that the electricity supply was turned off and heating was not checked as "the boiler was not in operation at the time of the inspection". The property was previously rented out, and has been vacant for about 8 months, so I can understand that the seller would have had them cut off to save money.
I thought it was the estate agents' responsibility to make sure these would be functioning at the time of the inspection.
Is it usual for a homebuyer survey to take place without electricity or heating?

I would really appreciate some advice on what I should do now!

G_M

Cependant wrote: »

Hi, I'm a first time buyer looking for advice.
I've had an offer accepted on a Victorian terraced house and paid for a homebuyer report.
I've had the report back today, and it states that the electricity supply was turned off and heating was not checked as "the boiler was not in operation at the time of the inspection". The property was previously rented out, and has been vacant for about 8 months, so I can understand that the seller would have had them cut off to [STRIKE]save money[/STRIKE]comply with insurance requirements.

I thought it was the estate agents' responsibility to make sure these would be functioning at the time of the inspection.
No.
Is it usual for a homebuyer survey to take place without electricity or heating?
Not usual, but if there is no power or water, the survey will reflect that.
It is usual, however, with repossessions and other vacant properties.

I would really appreciate some advice on what I should do now!

You have 3 choices:

* ask the seller to re-connect the services. You can then send in a plumber and/or gas engineer and/or electrician

* buy the property anyway and keep your fingers crossed

* walk away

* ask for a reduction in price to reflect your risk and se if the seller agrees.

edit: oops - can't count!

Did you not notice the services were disconnected when you viewed?

flashg67

I've just bought a vacant repossession and the gas/water/electricity are turned off. The boiler looked fairly new and the meters are fairly modern and got the house at the right price so took a considered risk - we complete tomorrow so fingers crossed!

Pretty sure the agent's particulars usually have a discalimer about heating etc, even where the house is sold as occupied?

Pete9501

Tell Estate Agent (EA) you want a heating engineer to inspect the boiler and service it before exchange. This will require the electric to be switched on. Do go through with it because a boiler service should be about £80. You can then go in afterwards as a second or third visit etc and switch on lights, cooker or hot tub to your hearts content even if the EA looks annoyed.

Pete

Owain_Moneysaver

Pete9501 wrote: »

Tell Estate Agent (EA) you want a heating engineer to inspect the boiler and service it before exchange. This will require the electric to be switched on.

It will also require the gas to be connected with a meter installed so the engineer can check gas pressures while operating.

Water will probably also need to be connected; especially with a combi but the engineer may need to repressurise the primary system.

Even if the boiler were tested and working at the time of survey there would be no guarantee it would remain so.

chris_m

Even if the services had been connected, the survey would almost certainly flag them up as red with the advice to get them checked by an appropriate professional.

Gonzo1987

Surveyors are not gas safe registered nor electricians. They won't test services even if they are connected. This will be on the terms you signed to instruct the survey to take place.

Cependant

Thanks all for the advice.
I've just had a late email from the solicitors with the Property Information that a new boiler was installed and the electrics were tested at the time the seller bought the property (3 years ago), and they've requested copies of the gas safety certificate and test certificate from the seller's solicitor.
I will wait to see if these are in order before deciding if I should just cross my fingers and hope.

Pete9501

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

It will also require the gas to be connected with a meter installed so the engineer can check gas pressures while operating.

What ever makes you think the meter would have been removed. At worst they would have turned the gas tap off.

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Water will probably also need to be connected; especially with a combi but the engineer may need to repressurise the primary system.

Again, turn the tap on.

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Even if the boiler were tested and working at the time of survey there would be no guarantee it would remain so.

True and this applies to anyone buying. However, finding out that the boiler is clapped out and 30 years old is completely different to the engineer saying its serviced and currently working properly. Thankfully we have now learnt that the boiler is 3 years old, so I would take the gamble.

Pete

G_M

Pete9501 wrote: »

What ever makes you think the meter would have been removed. At worst they would have turned the gas tap off.and terminated their contract of supply.

A new supply would need to be arranged with one of the gas providers.

Again, turn the tap on. It's quite possible - proboble even, for insurance purposes - that the system has been drained down. The ballcock in the attic tank may be tied up. The radiators all drained. Refilling the system takes time and trouble (air locks develop in the rads as they fill up). And once done, the seller's insurance is proboby then invalid.

services are disconnected in empty properties for a reason.

macman

A gas safety certificate would not be provided after a new boiler install. A GSC is only required when the property is tenanted, so any GSC has probably now expired after 8 months empty.
The install should have been registered by the installer with GSR and with the manufacturer, and the vendor should have the benchmark paperwork. No wider check of the gas system or other appliances would be made, so if you want this done it will be at your cost, as would an electrical inspection.