House selling - gas and electrical safety certificate requested

ajm410

Hi all,

I'm trying to sell my late mum's 50-60-year-old house and wondering if you can help me, as I'm completely new to this process...?

I accepted an offer about 8 weeks ago for the property which was £3k (just under 3%) below the asking price.

However, despite that, the buyer has so far not instructed their solicitor to proceed due to some (questionable) confusion about not receiving packs from their solicitor etc.

Anyway, they have had a homebuyer's survey done, which has flagged a few issues with regard to the gas and electrics, and they are now asking that I get a gas and electrical safety certificate before they proceed further, which I've been quoted will cost £180 +VAT.

From doing a bit of research, I understand that I'm not required to provide this and I guess my question is what should I do about their request?

On the one hand, I'm quite keen to get the house sold quickly. However, I don't want the certificate to throw up a load of issues that the buyers then expect me to resolve - especially when we accepted below the asking price. They are first-time buyers and I think this is what they may be expecting.

(In addition, I worry that the agent is pushing me to get this done just to speed up the process,as they haven't told me I'm not legally required to get one.)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Alter_ego

As they are ftb I guess they think rental requirements apply to private houses. I'd be telling them they do not.

martinthebandit

Tell them no and tell your estate agent to put it back on the market until contracts are exchanged.

Person_one

The survey will have had a standard line in it that the gas and electrics do not meet current standards and that the buyers should arrange their own checks. Are they first time buyers who have taken this literally?

I'd respond that everything is currently working but obviously is not brand new and that you won't be paying for the checks. If you want to you could say that you are happy to allow access if they choose to pay for them.

G_M

Tell them you are happy to permit access by their gas and elecrical contractors to undertake inspections, just as you did with their surveyor.

You do not have to provide the certificates yourself. If they are concerned about the electrics they should get them inspected.

Meanwhile instruct your EA to start re-marketing the property?

Rain_Shadow

Be prepared for your buyers to be spooked when the gas and electrical reports state that neither meets current regulations for a dozen different reasons.

marksoton

ajm410 wrote: »

On the one hand, I'm quite keen to get the house sold quickly.

Then i suggest you put it back on the market. They've already wasted 2 months of your time.

ajm410

Thanks all, this is very helpful.

I'll let you know how I get on...

Thanks again!!!

sheff6107

Rain_Shadow wrote: »

Be prepared for your buyers to be spooked when the gas and electrical reports state that neither meets current regulations for a dozen different reasons.

Exactly. Sometimes best to get it done so you know where you stand. It's easier to sell a car with a 12 month MOT instead of none.

Alter_ego

sheff6107 wrote: »

Exactly. Sometimes best to get it done so you know where you stand. It's easier to sell a car with a 12 month MOT instead of none.

Yes but an MOT is transferrable. Surveys etc are not.

Cakeguts

If all else fails put the property into a property auction.