How early can I claim on British Gas homecare?

theinbetweener007

Hi all

So I exchanged on a house last week and immediately signed up for British Gas homecare.

I got the keys on Monday. Unfortunately, the sellers turn out to be slobs and many, many issues have become apparent due to zero maintenance in the twenty years they owned it.

I would love you opinions on two of the more minor issues:
1. When the sink in the kitchen is turned on, the drain in the alleyway to the side of the house overflows and smells rotten. This was not picked up in the survey.
2. There are water stains on the ceiling on the living room and dining room. Both are underneath bathrooms. This particular issue was picked up by the survey undertaken pre purchase.

My question is whether I can call British Gas homecare and get these fixed under the homecare 4 policy? Or will they say it’s too early to claim or that it’s a pre-existing condition?

Thank you

Alex1983

You can call them out anytime but if it's clearly a pre existing fault they will likely charge you to repair it.

Aylesbury_Duck

As above. You might be fortunate with the blocked drain but anyone coming out to see the leaking bathrooms anytime soon will quickly conclude the problem pre-dates your policy.

I would get both issues sorted outside the policy. It's not there to fix pre-existing problems as you well know. You rightly criticise the previous owners for not carrying out maintenance but that doesn't justify making fraudulent claims on a homecare policy.

rach_k

I'd just get the drains cleaned (if you don't fancy doing it yourself). Last time we need it doing, I paid £70 to a local drain cleaner (about 2 years ago, SW London). Well worth the money and sorted within a few hours of calling him.

Aylesbury_Duck

Buy a set of drain rods for about £20 and see if you can shift what will probably be a blockage. Even if it's not a blockage, a set of drain rods is a good investment for any homeowner.