Selling Flat - Boiler Service

SeasideSally

I hope someone can give me some advice.

We're right in the middle of selling our flat. We had the gas turned off some time back, as we don't live there, so there's been no supply for about two years; the buyers were aware of this from the outset. But we had the boiler serviced just before the gas was turned off. The buyers want to get an engineer in to service the boiler, and we have no problem with them doing that.

Knowing next to nothing about boilers, can one be serviced when the gas supply is turned off? If not, will we be expected to have the gas turned back on to have this service take place before exchange?

What's the usual process? :undecided

Carrot007

They can do nothing without gas being on. This is pretty obvious.


You should refuse the request as it just opens you up to a lot of liabilities.

SeasideSally

Carrot007 wrote: »

You should refuse the request as it just opens you up to a lot of liabilities.

Oh, we were going to say yes to it. What liabilities?

xylophone

You're selling the flat as well as the house?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/75048939#Comment_75048939

SeasideSally

xylophone wrote: »

You're selling the flat as well as the house?

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/75048939#Comment_75048939

Yep. We're selling both and moving out of the area completely. At least, we hope we're selling both... fingers crossed.

G_M

SeasideSally wrote: »

...... so there's been no supply for about two years; the buyers were aware of this from the outset.
....The buyers want to get an engineer in to service the boiler, and we have no problem with them doing that.
yes you do!


Knowing next to nothing about boilers, can one be serviced when the gas supply is turned off?
No.

If not, will we be expected to have the gas turned back on to have this service take place before exchange?
well IF this service is to takeplace then clearly you need to re-connect the gas. But.....


What's the usual process? :undecided

Usual process would be to say the gas is off so no service is possible. This was clear from the outset and the buyers will have to rely on the service record from 2 years ago and trust the boiler still works.


Re-connecting the gas would
* involve you in ongoing costs with no guarantee the sale will Complete and
* put the property at risk (gas in an unoccupied building)
* probably invalidate your insurance

Carrot007

SeasideSally wrote: »

Oh, we were going to say yes to it. What liabilities?

The costs and standing charge of the gas supply for one.


The cost to turn it on (likely to be very high after 2 years as they will have to recommision from the road).


The cost to then disconnect after for another.



Then there is the lieklyhood it will not work (leaving things for a time tends to do that) and everything that will bring.


Offer them a 2K reduction and be quids in!


(P.S. What above said about insurance too!)

hazyjo

Was also going to say it might be worth just dropping £2k.


If it doesn't work - they've got a free boiler. If it does, bonus. I'd not be arguing with that fair logic as a buyer. Bit of a hassle replacing a boiler, but you have good reason to say no to the service, so fair enough.


How old is the boiler?

SeasideSally

G_M wrote: »

Usual process would be to say the gas is off so no service is possible. This was clear from the outset and the buyers will have to rely on the service record from 2 years ago and trust the boiler still works.

We did say that to begin with, but the boiler thing keeps on popping up again. :sad:

Re-connecting the gas would
* involve you in ongoing costs with no guarantee the sale will Complete and
* put the property at risk (gas in an unoccupied building)
* probably invalidate your insurance

I hadn't thought about the safety and insurance issues. Yes, ok, we do have a problem with it then.

This is why I posted here, because nothing in the house selling process is as simple as it seems. :sad:

SeasideSally

hazyjo wrote: »

How old is the boiler?

It was installed in 2003, so it's an oldie. It passed its exam before the gas was turned off, and we've no reason to think it doesn't work.

That said, given its age, we assumed they'd want to buy a new one.

hazyjo

SeasideSally wrote: »

It was installed in 2003, so it's an oldie. It passed its exam before the gas was turned off, and we've no reason to think it doesn't work.

That said, given its age, we assumed they'd want to buy a new one.

Then I think they'd be over the moon with a £2k offer - say your insurance won't allow you to turn it back on, so, even though it was and probably still is working, as a gesture of goodwill and to get the transaction moving again, here's two grand.