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Buying house - defects on Gas Safety Certificate

Morning,

In the process of buying a house at the moment and just had a stack of documentation through. We're a little concerned at some of the defects listed on the Gas Safety Certificate. Are these major things? I'd like them sorted ideally by the vendor before completion.

Thanks!

  • Air intake port plug has worn and become loose. I have taped over it for safety. Flue has rotted away due to age and fatigue. Flue needs to be replaced as risk of freezing. Flue is not sealed inside and outside.
  • Ignition electrode has been isolated previously due to a fault.
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Comments

  • I'm no expert but that won't be a 'pass' on the Gas Safety.


    Perhaps the vendor can put this right before you purchase then the costs to yourself wont be an issue.
  • Hi!

    The Gas Safety Certificate was issued in October 2018 as a pass but these issues were raised as defects, so the boiler was deemed safe to use.

    The defects don't fill me with confidence however so I've raised these with our solicitor and with the vendor via the estate agent.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You might be more comfortable getting the defects fixed yourself after you move in, rather than putting your trust in the vendor to do it.
  • davidmcn wrote: »
    You might be more comfortable getting the defects fixed yourself after you move in, rather than putting your trust in the vendor to do it.
    Further to this, OP could get an indicative quote for the work required to rectify, then reduce their offer accordingly.

    That's what I'd do.
  • eddddy
    eddddy Posts: 17,511 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 21 February 2019 at 11:19AM
    rumblefish wrote: »
    • Air intake port plug has worn and become loose. I have taped over it for safety. Flue has rotted away due to age and fatigue. Flue needs to be replaced as risk of freezing. Flue is not sealed inside and outside.
    • Ignition electrode has been isolated previously due to a fault.


    I'm no expert on this... but the "ignition electrode has been isolated"...

    So the component that lights the gas/oil has been disconnected? So how are they switching on the boiler?

    And an 'ignition electrode' normally only costs a few pounds.

    Whilst the boiler may be safe, it sounds like there may have been some diy botching, and an extreme lack of maintenance (or maybe the boiler is so old that spare parts aren't available).

    Unless you are planning to replace the boiler shortly anyway, in your position, I would get the condition of the boiler inspected. (It could be safe, but still be in very poor condition and at the end of it's life.)

    But like I say, I'm no expert on this kind of stuff.
  • Is the property already priced to reflect that a new boiler may be needed?
  • AlexMac
    AlexMac Posts: 3,063 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    You could try to argue the likely few hundred quid price of a fix off the sale price after you get a repair quote ...

    ... but equally, the vendor could simply refuse and see if you walk away (which is all you can threaten to do).

    Modern boilers don't last. Every one of the past six homes and second homes or BTLs I've bought over the past 20-odd years has needed a new boiler; some immediately, others within a year or two. I've just spent £300-odd on repairs (similar to but a bit less than the problems you describe) to one which was only put in about 15 years ago.

    So now I just accept that boilers break, and assume I'm going to have to spend anything from £1,300 (for a little Combi) to £3,000 (for a bigger one with a pressurised hot water storage cylinder to service 3 showers in our own house.

    But back to your case, you decide whether to argue for the repair costs, swallow these as a small % of the total cost of a new home, or buy a C02 detector and limp along with the existing installation (assuming it's working?) until it actually dies, or replace it now for peace of mind and a potential 5 year guarantee depending on the installer you choose.

    Unless it's a BTL in which case if it fails a new safety check (or even if it doesn't) I'd be tempted to replace it before a new tenant
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    How old is the boiler?


    eg if it's 10 years old you need to be budgetting in your head to replace it anyway at some future time.


    If it's a couple of years old, then get some quotes to rectify it (yourself - not the seller).


    My guess is the cost won't be worth haggling over, but if it's 2 years old, out of warranty, and will cost £500 to fix, then yes - renegotiate price!
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    OP, are you aware that there is no requirement for a vendor to even have or supply you with a GSC?
    Unless the property is currently tenanted?
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • macman wrote: »
    OP, are you aware that there is no requirement for a vendor to even have or supply you with a GSC?
    Unless the property is currently tenanted?

    Currently tenanted yes.
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