Indemnity policy??

sjbntb

I am really worried as looking to complete on my house sale on Friday 26th Oct and the sellers solicitors have advised that they cannot complete without either a certificate for the heating system (which I do not have and never have had from moving in) or an indemnity policy.
I spoke to my solicitor who said that he would put something together and send to the sellers and ask if they can then confirm to complete on the 26th.
This is really confusing for me as I have no idea if I am liable for anything after I sell, what the policy says and why the heating is not covered on B&C's insurance??
I need to call the solicitor in the morning, but could anyone please give me some advise on if this sounds normal or what else I should be asking???

i have never sold a house before it is my first home

Please help
sara

merlinthehappypig

Hi Sara. It's not usual in a house sale in England (assuming that is where you are) but not unreasonable either. I've had a similar request in the past and the buyer was satisfied with a check on the heating from a registered heating engineer.

I've not come across an indemnity policy before for this, but presumably it will cost you a fixed amount (not a lot I would assume) and covers any repairs to the heating for the buyer for a limited period.

The indemnity would presumably remove any potential liability for you so there shouldn't need to be any worry on that score.

It's usual in Scotland for a seller to warrant that the heating will work for a limited period after the completion of the sale.

goldbyron

An indemnity policy is usually to cover you in case something goes wrong. There are usually quite cheap and easy to arrange. I would just agree and then the transaction can go ahead. I have paid for an indemnity for my previous sale because of an adjoining wall that had been knocked down long before I even set foot in there myself. There was no certificate re: the work and it was nothing to do with me but I just agreed anyway to save time (it cost about £60-70). Hope it goes through. If there were playing around - you will soon know when you agree to the indemnity. This should satisfy - it is prob their sol wanting to make it all water tight.