Damage from cold weather?

cherryblossomzel

I'm the process of buying a flat that is currently empty. The last tenant moved out in early October, I think. It's a ground floor flat in a 1920's building. The place is currently unheated and I was wondering if I should be concerned about possible damage with the colder weather we're having? I'm in the SE so it's not really that bad, but it was very frosty this morning, and I don't imagine we'll complete this side of Christmas, so it'll only get worse.

If they've disconnected the gas and electricity, do I have any right to ask them to get it reconnected?

foxy-stoat

Normal concerns in the cold weather without heating would be frozen burst pipes. If they have disconnected the other services they have probably turned the water off as well.

You have the right to ask for anything but whether they will do it is another matter.

SmashedAvacado

up to exchange - you dont have a legal right for anything. You can make it clear that you will re-inspect just before exchange, and one of the things you want to ensure is that the heating is properly working. That might make the seller take proactive action.

Post exchange you could have a contractual provision that they run the heating twice a day or similar - but you might have to pay the cost from exchange. If you are having a long period between exchange and completion this would be more of a concern - can you keep that period short?

cherryblossomzel

I'm in a tricky situation because I have to give two months notice in my current rental and for obvious reasons I don't really want to do so until I've exchanged. I may just have to suck up overlapping my rent and mortgage for at least 6 weeks, sadly.


I'll contact the EA and ask what the situation is right now.