Purchasing property with wood burner

Davesnave

ld123098 wrote: »

Also worth bearing in mind that if the house is in a smokeless zone, and the stove isn't defra approved, you could face a hefty fine.

The operative word here being 'could.'

Do you know any examples of people paying this 'hefty fine?' I see the very same words used on several stove web sites, never with any reference to a real life incidence of it happening.

Perhaps they think it may help sell a few more stoves?

Gary777

Lots of comments about this issue truly have me shaking my head.
Wood burners don’t require planning authority, though any fitted since the regulations were introduced need to be informed the local authority, by the installer.
I have a small one fitted, swept in December not used since Jan, potential buyers want to have a local company, check it out.
I agree with a previous post that using a company, not a regulated body, has the potential of the them stating there are issues to gain business from either the home owner or potential new home owner.
What a joke.
I have been advised that they will want to light something, presumably to check the chimney is clear.
I now want proof of expertise and insurance as lighting a fire in my house is...well !!!!!! !!
It’s not as though the burner is expensive, out of everything in the house it’s a very low cost, but it appears the potential buyers want it checked.
Btw the surveyor, neither asked any questions, nor inspected it, nor raised any concern other than mentioning a HETAS certificate which I don’t have.
Other posts mention it would not stop them buying house, but I can assure you it is NOT going to lead to a reduction in agreed sale price because a private business may say something.
Finally, they aren’t cheap to run, it is a fad thing and yet another issue to cause problems if you ever sell a house..

Thrugelmir

Gary777 wrote: »

Btw the surveyor, neither asked any questions, nor inspected it, nor raised any concern other than mentioning a HETAS certificate which I don’t have.

Not a surveyors area of expertise. Same as electrics, boilers etc.

G_M

Gary777 wrote: »

Lots of comments about this issue truly have me shaking my head.
..

I'm shaking my head too. Wondering why you are resurrecting a thread from over a year ago.

Davesnave

G_M wrote: »

I'm shaking my head too. Wondering why you are resurrecting a thread from over a year ago.

He doesn't have a HETAS and just wants a rant. It's a bit like shouting at the bus one missed months ago.

FreeBear

Davesnave wrote: »

He doesn't have a HETAS and just wants a rant.

If the installation predates introduction of the current regulations, there won't be any certificates. With a recent installation, the local council should have a record of it. There will also be a small plate located either near the electricity meter or close to the fire giving details of the stove, flue, and installation date.


Yes, I know it is an old thread, but the above may prove useful for others in the same position.

Davesnave

FreeBear wrote: »

If the installation predates introduction of the current regulations, there won't be any certificates.
Yes, I know it is an old thread, but the above may prove useful for others in the same position.

People like the shady guy I dealt with when I eBayed the Aga, perhaps?

He sent 3 minions to collect "the Rayburn."

Not wanting to mis-sell, I phoned him to confirm it was an oil-fired Aga he'd bought, not a Rayburn.

"Oh, that's OK mate, s'long as it's old and looks like it's been in for years, 'cos I'm doin' this cottage to sell and I don't want no probs with regulations!"

The burly lads were brilliant at removal. Not a mark on the floor from the rollers they used. I commented and they grinned: "We're doing this sort of stuff all the time!" says one.

markin

Gary777 wrote: »

Lots of comments about this issue truly have me shaking my head.
Wood burners don’t require planning authority, though any fitted since the regulations were introduced need to be informed the local authority, by the installer.
I have a small one fitted, swept in December not used since Jan, potential buyers want to have a local company, check it out.
I agree with a previous post that using a company, not a regulated body, has the potential of the them stating there are issues to gain business from either the home owner or potential new home owner.
What a joke.
I have been advised that they will want to light something, presumably to check the chimney is clear.
I now want proof of expertise and insurance as lighting a fire in my house is...well !!!!!! !!
It’s not as though the burner is expensive, out of everything in the house it’s a very low cost, but it appears the potential buyers want it checked.
Btw the surveyor, neither asked any questions, nor inspected it, nor raised any concern other than mentioning a HETAS certificate which I don’t have.
Other posts mention it would not stop them buying house, but I can assure you it is NOT going to lead to a reduction in agreed sale price because a private business may say something.
Finally, they aren’t cheap to run, it is a fad thing and yet another issue to cause problems if you ever sell a house..

It will just be a small smoke bomb to test for leaks, no need to panic.