Buyer asking for money 3 months after purchase

kates08

Hi all,

We moved 3 months ago, we replaced the boiler in our old house in 2016 and it was in perfect working order on completion. The boiler is a Worcester Bosch and the product had been correctly registered so it has a 6 year guarantee attached, all the paperwork for which was forwarded to the new owner.

We've come home today to a letter from her solicitor (passed through our solicitor) saying that a British Gas engineer has identified a fault and she is demanding that we pay several hundred pounds to fix the boiler.

Am I right in thinking that we don't have to pay for this? Apart from the fact that this seems to be a regular tactic from British Gas (so I've heard), there was absolutely no issue with the boiler when we left and if she's managed to break it since that's her problem. Do we have to pay our solicitor to send her a letter telling her as much or can we just ignore her letter?

Thanks

Surrey_EA

kates08 wrote: »

just ignore her letter

They're trying it on.

hazyjo

I doubt your solicitor would charge, but it's worth checking beforehand.


No, you're not liable. I'm sure your solicitor can word a polite 'naff off' letter. Keep it short.


Presume England/Wales (not that I think it would make much difference after 3 months, but forget how long in Scotland you might be liable).

lincroft1710

I think it's 5 days in Scotland

kates08

It is indeed in England. I thought that was the case, the letter from our solicitor basically says that if we would like to respond let him know so i think I might ask him if there would be a charge for him drafting a letter and if not reply to suggest she contacts the manufacturer as the boiler is under warranty.

I wouldn't mind but the boiler in our new house gave out after 5 days (we knew it was old) so I'd be paying for two boiler within 3 months!

HampshireH

Surely they should have contacted the manufacturer if its under a guarantee?

kingstreet

Another Arkell v Pressdram reply.

G_M

Just politely refer them to the manufacturer's warranty which you provided.

Cakeguts

That is just silly. How were you supposed to look into the future by 3 months to see that her boiler would develop a fault? It is her boiler now so it is her fault to deal with.

Marvel1

It was freezing in the last 3 months, they must have been running the boiler just fine.

hazyjo

kates08 wrote: »

It is indeed in England. I thought that was the case, the letter from our solicitor basically says that if we would like to respond let him know so i think I might ask him if there would be a charge for him drafting a letter and if not reply to suggest she contacts the manufacturer as the boiler is under warranty.

I wouldn't mind but the boiler in our new house gave out after 5 days (we knew it was old) so I'd be paying for two boiler within 3 months!

He's it been serviced in accordance with the requirements of the guarantee?

I wouldn't get into too much correspondence. If you have to reply, I'd just get my solicitor to say you accept no liability and have no intention of entering into further correspondence.