Last minute request for cash towards replacing boiler in the future

BaxterTheCat

Our solicitor contacted our buyer’s solicitor this week to propose an exchange date. He received a reply saying our buyer wants a contribution towards the cost of possibly needing to replace the boiler in the future. We had already provided the buyer with a current annual service and gas safe report on the boiler at their request. We have also already had the whole central system flushed through, the cold water tanks cleaned out and a ballcock replaced at their request. The boiler is 13 years old and the buyer is saying that it’s only going to last another one to two years (presumably they are psychic?!) and may cost up to £8000 to replace if it needs resiting(!!!). They are not expecting us to offer the full £8000, but would like an, unspecified, ‘contribution’ before they are willing to exchange. Mention of this had not come up until now. Am I correct in thinking they’re just trying their luck?! Surely this is completely unreasonable?

Red-Squirrel_2

No chance, they know what they are getting, its up to them to budget for normal household maintenance once they own the house.

glasgowdan

They'll be asking for you to pay someone to cut the grass if it grows next.

Firm NO!

AnotherJoe

Yep as you say trying it on.. I’d be inclined to tell them (via your solicitor) to go spin, whatever reason they have come up with is irrelevant and I wouldn’t even attempt to justify it by responding to that particular argument.
I might respond by saying that if they don’t exchange within a particular timescale it’s back on the market, to avoid them trying something like this at exchange time.
I might even be tempted just to put it back in the market again but allowing them to exchange if they can do it before you find a new buyer.

michael1234

Unless you're under pressure because e.g. you've found a dream new place and think you'll never find another like it (you will), I would put the house back on the market immediately.

eddddy

Tell them "no" politely and firmly. But try not to let it escalate into a confrontation.

I've seen sales/purchases fall apart when people start "shouting" at each other over really trivial stuff.

hazyjo

Cheque for a pound. Probably the most a phone call would cost for them to ring someone to service it or replace it when the time comes.

cjmillsnun

BaxterTheCat wrote: »

Our solicitor contacted our buyer’s solicitor this week to propose an exchange date. He received a reply saying our buyer wants a contribution towards the cost of possibly needing to replace the boiler in the future. We had already provided the buyer with a current annual service and gas safe report on the boiler at their request. We have also already had the whole central system flushed through, the cold water tanks cleaned out and a ballcock replaced at their request. The boiler is 13 years old and the buyer is saying that it’s only going to last another one to two years (presumably they are psychic?!) and may cost up to £8000 to replace if it needs resiting(!!!). They are not expecting us to offer the full £8000, but would like an, unspecified, ‘contribution’ before they are willing to exchange. Mention of this had not come up until now. Am I correct in thinking they’re just trying their luck?! Surely this is completely unreasonable?

The defined service life for a modern condensing boiler is 12-15 years. That said, if properly maintained, they can last many years beyond that.

Don't know where they got their figures from as I had a complete new heating system - this place never even had gas before I bought it - so new rads, gas connection, pipework and Vaillant boiler with 10 year warranty for less than 4k (3 bedrooms - 6 rads and a towel rail.)

So my answer would be a very firm no and say that the asking price factored that in.

fishpond

As the property value is likely to go up in the future, you would like a percentage of this rise, now.
Start looking for another buyer, unknown what stupidity they will come out with next & I am sure you do not need the grief.

Mickygg

No no no. Don't agree to this. They will want a contribution in case of subsidence next.

They are trying it on. Tell them bog off.

Debtslayer

BaxterTheCat wrote: »

Our solicitor contacted our buyer’s solicitor this week to propose an exchange date. He received a reply saying our buyer wants a contribution towards the cost of possibly needing to replace the boiler in the future. We had already provided the buyer with a current annual service and gas safe report on the boiler at their request. We have also already had the whole central system flushed through, the cold water tanks cleaned out and a ballcock replaced at their request. The boiler is 13 years old and the buyer is saying that it’s only going to last another one to two years (presumably they are psychic?!) and may cost up to £8000 to replace if it needs resiting(!!!). They are not expecting us to offer the full £8000, but would like an, unspecified, ‘contribution’ before they are willing to exchange. Mention of this had not come up until now. Am I correct in thinking they’re just trying their luck?! Surely this is completely unreasonable?

Yes and yes!
Tell them politely and firmly No there won't be any contribution.

They are purchasing a house and will surely have known the age of your boiler when viewing before any offers were made etc.
Part of buying a house is factoring in costs of things going wrong and needing replacing. What would they ask for next? New windows because they may need replacing in X years time?!
They're trying their luck and will have lost money if they pull out now so tell them no chance and be firm.