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British Gas

Cat_Ketley
Cat_Ketley Posts: 1 Newbie
edited 11 October 2016 at 8:25PM in Consumer rights
In November 2011, I had a new central heating system installed. It has cost me approximately £6k, which I am still paying for.
I have had a problem with the boiler (losing water pressure, so think it is a leak) and British Gas are basically telling me tough luck, as I only had one year cover.
It is my understanding that under the Sale of Goods act, the boiler could be expected to last, therefore covered for a potential repair/partial refund for up to six years?
They are saying no, citing only one year, they only install (take it up with manufacturer - who I believe have 2yr warranty), it hasn't been serviced so we can't prove them liable, and so on. My only option through them for now is to take it to a complaint, which I am doing but I will need this dealt with urgently at my expense (A FORTUNE by the way).
Where do I stand with this?
They now offer 5 year warranty as standard for new boilers and also worth noting they replaced a towel rail heater at no cost last year.

No insurance through British Gas and house insurance does not cover this - I am owner of property.
Have four month old granddaughter living here so need to deal with urgently, but wanted to seek advice before taking action

Comments

  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,700 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Sometimes a very small leak can leads to the pressure drop, so it may not be a major issue.

    You need to get the fault inspected and see if its just one of those things or whether its something they failed to fit properly.

    After 5 years though, im guessing its one of those things and you will need to sort it and pay yourself unless you have some other cover. The lack of servicing wont help you.
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  • mije1983
    mije1983 Posts: 3,665 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Name Dropper
    Cat_Ketley wrote: »
    It is my understanding that under the Sale of Goods act, the boiler could be expected to last, therefore covered for a potential repair/partial refund for up to six years?

    Who came to look at the boiler? You will need them to write up a report for you if the fault is inherent and not just wear and tear, or lack of servicing. That's what you need before you can progress down the SOGA line. However, this will take time and is likely any partial refund would only take into account the price you paid for the boiler, not the whole system.

    Cat_Ketley wrote: »
    They are saying no, citing only one year, they only install (take it up with manufacturer - who I believe have 2yr warranty)

    That will be the warranty. Your consumer rights still apply but you have to jump through a few more hoops to exercise them.

    Cat_Ketley wrote: »
    it hasn't been serviced so we can't prove them liable, and so on.

    If you haven't had it serviced for 5 years then you will be hard pushed to prove it's an inherent fault I fear.

    Cat_Ketley wrote: »
    They now offer 5 year warranty as standard for new boilers and also worth noting they replaced a towel rail heater at no cost last year.

    Forget about this. It's immaterial to your case and will only cloud things.
    Cat_Ketley wrote: »
    wanted to seek advice before taking action

    If it's dangerous, get it sorted yesterday. Then worry about who is responsible!
  • bris
    bris Posts: 10,548 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    5 years and no service? The only person liable is you.


    Take a bit kitchen roll and wipe all the radiator valve connections, if it gets wet then nip it up, it only takes a very minor leak that isn't really noticeable to the naked eye to make the boiler lose pressure over time.
  • stroodes
    stroodes Posts: 393 Forumite
    evenly cover it with washing up liquid, the leak however large or small will cause bubbles, you will then know where the leak is coming from.
  • Zandoni
    Zandoni Posts: 3,462 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    stroodes wrote: »
    evenly cover it with washing up liquid, the leak however large or small will cause bubbles, you will then know where the leak is coming from.
    That's for gas, the OP has a water leak.
  • Robin9
    Robin9 Posts: 12,328 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Get your boiler repaired and serviced by a local Gas Safe engineer.

    Forget about claims,insurances, SOGA
    Never pay on an estimated bill. Always read and understand your bill
  • I had the same issue with my boiler (2 years old) a couple of months ago. There was a minor leak in the radiator in the kitchen, but it's very small and as I'm having the whole kitchen replaced next year, I'm not spending money to repair it. It takes about 2 months to affect the boiler pressure enough to cause an issue. I just check every couple of weeks and increase the pressure slightly if it's dropped below the middle of range it's supposed to be.

    I have it serviced annually though - if you've not then you're on a hiding to nothing given your negligence and the fact that it's fairly likely to be an issue unrelated to the boiler itself.
  • Le_Kirk
    Le_Kirk Posts: 23,166 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    You think it is a leak or you KNOW it is a leak? Could it be the pressure relief valve? If it is a leak is it on the boiler or, as posted above, could it be on the heating system somewhere?
  • susancs
    susancs Posts: 3,888 Forumite
    We had a new combi gas boiler installed by British Gas about the same time as yours (Dec 2011) and last week called them out for a fault. It was fixed the following day within 30 minutes and cost £89 including parts. As it is nearly 5 years old it was just caused by normal useage according to the engineer,which we accepted as it is used numerous times a day for hot water and for heating in the colder months.

    As you have a baby in the house, British Gas will probably come out quickly (we don't have a baby and got them to call next day). I doubt if you have any recourse with your complaint as you have never had a service carried, so you are unlikely to be able to prove it is a fault that was there when the boiler was installed nearly 5 years ago.
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