Boiler needs replacing - Is it the previous engineers fault?

Josechecker

Hi All,

Hope you can help me.

So I bought a house a few weeks ago. The boiler is ~8 years old and has been serviced every year for the last 8 years - it was actually serviced by the same person for the last six years. I have the documents to prove this. I had no reason to believe there were any issues with the boiler as on the paperwork no significant work had been done just 'service'.

I went to check the boiler the other day and noticed it was wet underneath and completely rusted, therefore I called an engineer to have a look at it. The engineer shut off my boiler and said this it is not safe to use as there is water dripping on the wiring and the boiler is finished and this is now a health a safety risk! He would not let me continue using the boiler, which I understand. I'm now looking at a £2,000 bill to get myself a new boiler.

I called up the engineer who serviced the boiler for the last six years and asked him how the boiler was in such a bad state! How did he service and sign off the boiler every year, why was their nothing on the paperwork.

He mentioned that there was a leak from a pipe above and he told the previous owners to get this fixed but they never did and continued to use the boiler. He said he would come year after year and the leak was still there, dripping onto the boiler, but yet he would sign off the boiler and continue with the service. Is this allowed?! Why would he touch the boiler and sign it off if there were so many issues with it? Surely you wouldn't want your name associated with this and wouldn't sign it off until the customer resolved the other issues?

As the buyer, I looked at the paperwork and assumed everything was fine. It he to blame here? Should I report him?

I spoke to him once and we left it there arguing with each other. Then he called me again a few hours later... I personally think he's obviously scared because he's done something fishy here. Why else would he call me?

Any opinion on the situation is much appreciated.

Jose

Doozergirl

He might call you because he actually has some integrity. Do you think people with integrity just ignore people?

That said, if people don't want to fix issues with their own boilers, never service them, paint them green, that is their perogative. The boiler belongs to them.

When you buy a house, the idea is that you get things checked yourself before buying them. The engineer, in particular, owes you nothing. You have no contract.

scd3scd4

Take it up with who sold you the house. Was there anything in the exchange that mentions the boiler?



He may have serviced the boiler and mentioned it as "advisory" I agree maybe he should have wrote something on the paper work or not serviced it.


However what do you think you can make him do?....................he may later just say. "It was alright when I last serviced it"

scd3scd4

OK, lets try something. You buy a car, its got a valid MOT. The seller says its fine, I even had it serviced 6 months ago.


You take it for a service and they say, these brakes are dangerous don't use it............................what you going to do now?

Boohoo

Before you bought the house did you get a full survey done?
If the boiler is as rusty as you say then depending on what survey you had done this should of been noticed and flagged up as an issue from your surveyer.
Check your paperwork from the surveyer and see if the boiler was mentioned.
As for the gas engineer who servied the boiler for years check to see if he/she is Gas Safe registered online.
You could ask the previous owners of the house about the boiler and gas engineer if you have the contact details.

Josechecker

Thanks for the quick replies - Doozergirl and scd3scd4

When you buy a house, the idea is that you get things checked yourself before buying them. The engineer, in particular, owes you nothing. You have no contract.

Within the home buyers report I paid for, it states that the boiler is satisfactory based on the yearly service record and was rated 1 (highest score). Two weeks in and I'm having to replace the boiler. No, he was not an engineer but the surveyor rated it a 1 based on the service record.

However what do you think you can make him do?....................he may later just say. "It was alright when I last serviced it"

I completely understand he can just say ' it was fine when I checked it last'. However, once the case is off you can obviously see the damage has been there for quite some time, years... it's crazy to think he serviced it year after year for six years and not one mention of this on the paperwork. What's the point in having these invoices.. They mean nothing then

Josechecker

OK, lets try something. You buy a car, its got a valid MOT. The seller says its fine, I even had it serviced 6 months ago.

You take it for a service and they say, these brakes are dangerous don't use it............................what you going to do now?

Yes, I understand your point, however, I paid for a home buyers report and it stated the following (copied and pasted from the report):

''The system is fired from a fairly modern combi boiler located in the reception hall
cupboard. There is no test label upon the boiler.
Secondary heating is provided by the gas fire in the living room.
On the basis that gas/heating appliances have been annually serviced, we assess
this section as condition rating 1.''

scd3scd4

I understand but what is it you think he has done wrong. He serviced it and they did not want to maintain it?


Yes he defo should have wrote something on the report. My reports from BG always have something or another..........even if it is just that they recommend a Carbon Monoxide alarm or cleaned the filter.


Well, he serviced it so it gave heat. They were happy with that.


The thing is I don't really see what obligation he has to you. Its the report or the seller your beef is with in my view but that's just my view.


Can the leak not be stopped and case replace, probably not possible but just thought

phill99

Josechecker wrote: »

Yes, I understand your point, however, I paid for a home buyers report and it stated the following (copied and pasted from the report):

''The system is fired from a fairly modern combi boiler located in the reception hall
cupboard. There is no test label upon the boiler.
Secondary heating is provided by the gas fire in the living room.
On the basis that gas/heating appliances have been annually serviced, we assess
this section as condition rating 1.''

But a service mean it was inspected and serviced at one point in time only.
Anything can happen the day after which has nothing to do with the service.


Reality is you haven't undertaken due diligence correctly and are now blaming others.

scd3scd4

Would he come back and fix the leak as good will?.


Unless the case is Swiss cheese, can it not be repaired in some way?

Doozergirl

Speak to the surveyor then.

There's usually more written in a survey than just that and I'd be gobsmacked if there isn't a disclaimer saying that you should commission your own independent check of the boiler. Specifically because the surveyor is not qualified to say whether it is safe or not.

I'd leave the guy that serviced it alone. You have no contract with him.