Condition Rating 3 on Homebuyer's survey - who pays?

teneighty

To try and give some constructive advice.

The flat is 20 years old, the electrics are probably fine with a few minor repairs required like the loose switch in the airing cupboard.

The boiler on the other hand, if original as suspected by the dodgy control knob, is possibly on its last legs. Pay for a plumber/heating engineer to inspect the boiler and overall heating installation and give you a report. That could be worth a price reduction as new boilers aren't cheap.

nath81

It's totally standard. Our surveyor phoned me before we received the report and explained they had to give those ratings as they are not qualified electricians/gas fitters. Just use some common sense and check things for yourself.

stiggy786

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies, including the very frank 'tough love' style ones; working in front line NHS, I can take it.

We are going to get a proper survey of the electrics and gas to certify safety of current state, urgency of repair or replacement if applicable and quotations for these if required. We will pay for this (ta dah!)

Investing in this will enable us to get a monetised appreciation of any work that might need doing, even if it's after we move in so that we can budget for this. If something is flagged as unsafe requiring attention prior to exchange then we could enter a negotiation with the vendor regarding this.

Best wishes

dc197

stiggy786 wrote: »

Showing us that gas is working doesn't mean there wouldn't be a dangerous leak after moving in, showing us that hot water coming doesn't mean boiler won't need to be replaced after moving in.

Correct.
But what on earth do you want the vendor to do? Promise you in blood that a boiler that is currently working will never cease working?
Be happy that it is working now, and expect it to fail in the future. That's home-ownership.

hazyjo

stiggy786 wrote: »

Hi all,

Thanks for all your replies, including the very frank 'tough love' style ones; working in front line NHS, I can take it.

We are going to get a proper survey of the electrics and gas to certify safety of current state, urgency of repair or replacement if applicable and quotations for these if required. We will pay for this (ta dah!)

Investing in this will enable us to get a monetised appreciation of any work that might need doing, even if it's after we move in so that we can budget for this. If something is flagged as unsafe requiring attention prior to exchange then we could enter a negotiation with the vendor regarding this.

Best wishes

Unless it's a new build (which I know it's not!), the electrics and gas will not be up to current regs. That's not to say they are 'unsafe'. Who keeps their gas/electric up to date? Not anyone I know (unless they have work done)! Yes, if something particularly dodgy comes to light, try to reduce your offer (although, again, that's debatable if it's been valued at the price you've agreed). No guarantee the vendor will. Oh, and on a 20 year old property? I'd be VERY surprised if anything was flagged to say either were 'unsafe'! That's almost classed as a new build lol.


Jx