Boiler certificate of compliance and building regulation indemnity policy

mc1982_2

Good Afternoon Everyone,
I am very close to completing the purchase of a flat. But 2 weeks ago my solicitor sent us comments about the flat documents they received from the vendor. One thing is scaring me a lot is the missing boiler certificate of compliance, and the offer of a building regulation indemnity policy. It is not clear if they cannot find it or it was never acquired. I would rather not buy this flat if this is not sorted, my understanding is that there is a safety risk, but also future problems in case we want to sell the flat later on. What are the options in this case? Can we contact the authority to check if the certificate exists
This is in details what my solicitor wrote me, is it not even clear to me what this will cover:

To clarify, the seller does not have evidence of a certificate of compliance for the boiler as evidence that it is has been installed in accordance with building regulations. In the

absence of this, a building regulation indemnity policy has been offered which would protect you again financial loss in the event that the Local Authority took enforcement

action should they find that the boiler is not compliant with building regulations. You cannot discuss this with the Local Authority as to do so would invalidate the indemnity

policy. The indemnity policy does not cover workmanship and provides no cover in the event that the boiler should be deemed as unsafe or not in good working order. You must

therefore satisfy yourself in this regard.

Regards

hazyjo

How old is the boiler?

At worst, two grand to replace. I definitely wouldn't be pulling out.

Won't make any difference to you selling. Presuming you're planning on staying over 4 or so years, the boiler will be far from new.

Get it serviced when you move in and keep a carbon monoxide alarm nearby.

eddddy

If the boiler was installed in 2009 or later, and a Building Regulations Compliance Certificate was issued, you should be able to get a copy for £6 here: https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk/help-and-advice/gas-safety-certificates-records/building-regulations-certificate/

If you're worried about the safety of the boiler, arrange for a Gas Safe engineer to do an inspection.

AdrianC

How long ago was the boiler installed?
Was it installed when the property was built?

If it was done at the time of build, then it would have been signed off with the rest of the property, not specifically. And if it was done over a year ago, there's not a sausage the local authority can do even if it wasn't ever signed off.

If you want to know the condition of it NOW (surely the only relevant thing?), which may of course be very different to when it was installed, commission your own engineer to check it.

anselld

The Solicitor's advice is correct.  (why wouldn't it be?)  What is not clear?  The policy will cover "financial loss in the event that the Local Authority took enforcement action" which is a vanishingly small probability.

The obvious practical solution if there is a concern about the safety of the installation is to have is checked by a Gassafe engineer.  

greatcrested

All good advice above.

Just to add: does the boiler work? Hot water comes out of the taps? Radiators get hot? Not rocket science to check!

Does it leak carbon monoxide? Is there a CO alarm by/near the boiler and if so a) does it have a green flashing light? Does it go off if you press the 'test' button? If no CO alarm, buy one for £13 and take it next time you view.

silvercar

Ask the seller to provide evidence of a recent service and a gas safety certificate. 

mc1982_2

Thanks Everyone for the response quite useful.
Regarding the boiler, it was installed 3 years ago, and there is a gas safety certificate obtained last year, as the property was rented. I will consider this to be checked again before buying then. It is not clear to me if a safety gas certificate will cover basically the same checks of the installation one as well.
Regarding the installation certificate, thanks to @eddddy for the link to that website, but I am scared they knew the certified does not exists, that is why they do not want to search for it.

hazyjo

silvercar said:

Ask the seller to provide evidence of a recent service and a gas safety certificate. 

You can ask, but neither are compulsory so don't expect to get. Did see OP's reply saying they'd done this and it had been rented so did have a certificate.

If it was a year old, I'd be more worried. They generally have a lifespan of 8-15 years, so I'd just be grateful to have a working 3 year old boiler and wouldn't have pushed for any more.

greatcrested

mc1982_2 said:

Thanks Everyone for the response quite useful.
Regarding the boiler, it was installed 3 years ago, and there is a gas safety certificate obtained last year, as the property was rented. I will consider this to be checked again before buying then. It is not clear to me if a safety gas certificate will cover basically the same checks of the installation one as well.
Regarding the installation certificate, thanks to @eddddy for the link to that website, but I am scared they knew the certified does not exists, that is why they do not want to search for it.

A gas safety cert is not evidence of a service - just a safety check. If there is anything non-compliant it will be noted, so if the original installation was non -compliant (and never been fixed) the safety cert would show you.

However, if the Regs have changed since installation, it may have been compliant at installation, but now be non-compliant in some way!