HETAS certificate

Richytm

Hi,

Me and my partner are in the process of buying a house and are happy with everything so far. All searches etc are completed and everything has come back fine.

The only issue we have is that the house currently has a log burner installed with no HETAS paperwork...

Is this likely to be an issue for us in the future if we proceed without the paperwork.

Thanks for your help

G_M

There 2 potential isues. Whether you (should) care is up to you:

1) the stove is poorly installed, chimney does not draw etc. Get it inspected? Or deal with it once you own.

2) It was installed within the last 2 years without Building Regs or Competant Person' sign-off, and the council a) find out ad b) decide to enforce. You could take out indemnity insurance or insist the seller does. If installed earlier BRs cannot be enforced.

Davesnave

You are taking a punt on the competence of the installer, and while some fairly dull people achieve HETAS certification standard, anything they do ought to be safe.

Besides safety, there's also the matter of whether corners were also cut to achieve 'economy,' so the stove may be a cheapo Chinese jobbie, or the chimney might not be lined. Either of these eventualities may lead to problems down the line.

My house had a wood burner installed years ago without the chimney being lined, so the output of the stove I've just removed was variable and never approached its full potential. The price of wood means that I'm very keen to improve things now.

At the least, you should get yourself a carbon monoxide detector. That's by far the most important item that anyone with a multifuel stove or wood burner should have.