RE Unsafe gas Fire

The_Shadow

We moved in to a property where a gas fire has been poorley fitted. Gas safe have inspected the fire and condemded it as unsafe and applied a do not use notice. I did write to the previous owner about 3 months ago and told him the fire looked very suspect. he replied and said it was our problem. As we were in the summer months we have not needed to use the fire. As we now have a Gas s safe report I am thinking of writing to the previous owner again and asking to cough up to have the fire refitted. Incidently we paid the full asking price for his property. Any comments would be most welcome

theartfullodger

And what else is wrong with the place?

What did the paperwork say EXACTLY about the condition of the gas fire? Roughly how old is it?

G_M

You're not a tenant?

You bought the property? That fire is now yours. Fix it.

Of course, had you had GasSafe engineer inspect and report before you bought, you could have tried negotiating on price with the vendor, but even then he could have just said no.

Kynthia

So I take it you bought the property rather than are renting? Do you live in Scotland? If you own and didn't buy in Scotland I'm not sure why you think this is the previous owner's responsibility? You've bought the property as is and it was your job to determine it's condition. Unless the seller has lied about something important on the official documents then I can't see why they would be responsible for anything now that they don't own it.

davidmcn

The_Shadow wrote: »

he replied and said it was our problem.

This is probably correct advice. On what basis do you think he might be liable?

davidmcn

Kynthia wrote: »

Do you live in Scotland? If you own and didn't buy in Scotland I'm not sure why you think this is the previous owner's responsibility?

Even in Scotland the services usually only need to be in working condition, not "safe".

marksoton

The_Shadow wrote: »

As we now have a Gas s safe report I am thinking of writing to the previous owner again and asking to cough up to have the fire refitted. Incidently we paid the full asking price for his property.

And his response will be the same. Your problem.

Mr.Generous

what is wrong with it? if its the flue it could be expensive, if its just the connection its a very simple job to fix and test. Just get it done and put it down to experience.

AdrianC

The_Shadow wrote: »

I did write to the previous owner about 3 months ago and told him the fire looked very suspect. he replied and said it was our problem.

Seems fair.

As we now have a Gas s safe report I am thinking of writing to the previous owner again and asking to cough up to have the fire refitted.

And you think his reply will be different because...?

phill99

It's always somebody elses fault, isn't it.

PasturesNew

It comes down to this, you have two choices:

1] Order a brand new, lovely, fire and get it fitted. Nice and lovely, ready for the winter. Shrug and say "!!!!!! happens".
2] Be grumpy for months, talk to a solicitor, send letters, threaten people through solicitors. Eventually get an outcome that might/might not be the one you wanted. Meanwhile, be a bore to your family/friends/neighbours and anybody in a random shop queue ... as you bitterly moan about it .... possibly ending in fallings out - and more arguments and horrible days.

As a rule of thumb, [1] is cheaper - and you get on with your life starting right now.