PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.

Hetas Certificate Void After House Purchase Help

nicky1319
nicky1319 Posts: 1 Newbie
in House buying, renting & selling
Hello, Hoping someone can help me. I purchased my first house with a log burner, during the purchase process I was given a Hetas certificate to say it was legal. However, since moving in, I have been informed by the chimney sweep, and subsequently, the people that installed it, that the previous owners altered the Hearth after it was installed and the certificate issued to accommodate the flooring - rendering it 'illegal?'. Do I have any legal standing with the previous owners? It's going to cost me a fair amount of money to set right, which seems unfair, as I was led to believe it was all fine.

Any advice welcome.
TIA

Comments

  • silvercar
    silvercar Posts: 49,279 Ambassador
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Academoney Grad Name Dropper
    This is not uncommon.

    Round here it seems to be a fashion to build a conservatory, get sign off, then (and only then) knock down the wall between the kitchen and the conservatory. Building regs would not certify the conservatory if it was knocked through before inspection.

    Life goes on.

    Unless you are particularly worried about some safety aspect caused by the change the previous owners made, I wouldn't be too worried.
    I'm a Forum Ambassador on the housing, mortgages & student money saving boards. I volunteer to help get your forum questions answered and keep the forum running smoothly. Forum Ambassadors are not moderators and don't read every post. If you spot an illegal or inappropriate post then please report it to forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com (it's not part of my role to deal with this). Any views are mine and not the official line of MoneySavingExpert.com.
  • chappers
    chappers Posts: 2,988 Forumite
    firstly it's not illegal it's just outside of regs now. Illegal would be the HETAS engineer signing it off when it didn't comply with regs.
    What has actually been done to modify it, what sort of burner is it is it designed to be used with the door open or not
  • Doozergirl
    Doozergirl Posts: 34,064 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    It sounds like it might need a bigger hearth. I would imagine the cost is lower than a solicitor at £200 plus VAT an hour!
    Everything that is supposed to be in heaven is already here on earth.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 350.1K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.8K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 243.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 597.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 176.5K Life & Family
  • 256.1K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture