Buying House with untested Boiler

simonsmart111

Hello,

My wife and I are in the process of purchasing our first property. We have checked it out and everything seems well, apart from some major redecorating works which are required throughout.

The property has been vacant for 2+ years according to our solicitor, and as a result, the electricity and gas appear to have been cut off.

In the fixtures and fittings form provided by our solicitor, and through communication with the vendor, we have been informed that the boiler has been serviced annually (which we don't believe to be true) and that all electrics etc are up to date and working. (The house is approx 20 years old).

As we have been informed by the seller, via our solicitor, that all electrical and gas connections work fine, and that the boiler is fully functioning and serviced annually, would we have a case against the vendor if anything goes wrong/doesn't work at all? Our concern is growing over what problems the vendor may be trying to offset onto us, and we are getting a very 'CBA vibe' from the vendor. In addition, we have the estate agents phoning us regularly putting pressure on to complete!

Any advice/experience would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Eric_the_half_a_bee

Employ professionals to get them checked at your own expense before committing to anything.

keith969

simonsmart111 wrote: »

the electricity and gas appear to have been cut off.

simonsmart111 wrote: »

all electrical and gas connections work fine, and that the boiler is fully functioning

Both statements can't be true. Maybe everything still works, maybe it doesn't, no-one knows now.

If you can't get the electric&gas reconnected, and the boiler tested, then plan for the worst.

G_M

The best the vendor can state is that the boiler was fully fuctioning when the gas was last connected. 2 years ago....?

If it's the original boiler from 20 years ago it's near the end of it life anyway. I would budget for a new one either straight way (if it won't start) or within 5 years. If it last longer, you're quids-in.

20 year old electrics should be fine unless there's been dodgy DIY work done. No, it won't comply with current standards, but the standards of 20 years ago were perfectly safe.

walwyn1978

As GM says, assume the cost of a new boiler on day 1 is coming out your reserve funds. If it survives for longer than that, bonus. Might be worth lining up an engineer on day one to service/replace. Be explicit with him upfront that it may not have run for up to two years, but it may not run at all, thus he has the right kit to repair/replace if required. Yes, cost of his time and any parts/the new boiler if required, but it's possible that it doesn't work, you try and get an engineer out then find nones free for 10 days...

gax23

Caveat emptor.

teddysmum

If you use a small local gas fitter, they probably buy their boilers from a local wholesaler , so will be able to get a well known make almost immediately.


They are also less likely to condemn a boiler, just because it's old,this being the policy of certain national companies where the fitter has the incentive of commission for a new boiler sale.