No radiators in the bedrooms of the house I am buying

Laurelii

I am currently in the process of buying a house, I have only just realised after looking at the pictures, there are no radiators in any of the 3 bedrooms.

The house was built in the 1980's and the current boiler is a Baxi combi (if that is relevant) would I need to have radiators installed or should i be ok without?

There is a standard sized radiator on the landing which is about 4 yards or less away from stepping into each bedroom. (See attached the 3 bedrooms and the radiator on the landing)

Windofchange

Has it got alternative sources of heating? You can get underfloor heating or heating within skirting boards as two examples of why you would not have radiators on the walls. Likely a question to ask via your solicitor to the vendors I would imagine, or perhaps a phone call to the estate agent tomorrow. If you don't have anything clever and hidden installed, then yes, I should imagine that you are going to need to install new radiators upstairs. This will likely be quite a disruptive process if you want to have the pipes hidden as the flooring is going to need to come up at least in part to access the ceiling cavity to run pipes. This would therefore be a job to get done before you move all your things in as it will cause the least disruption. 

Your boiler I am sure is fine in terms of powering the extra rads as it isn't a particularly big house. In terms of the work, I am a competent DIY'er and reckon I could extend the piping from your sole radiator on the landing into each room in a few days assuming you don't uncover a nightmare under the floorboards. You are likely going to need to run the pipes in line with the ceiling joists and the drill holes through in the safe zones as needed. It's not a particularly difficult job, and I'm sure a professional plumber would have it done in half the time it would take me.

user1977

I doubt a single panel radiator on the landing will do much (especially while bedroom doors are closed) though there might be a surfeit of heat coming up from downstairs, and insulation might be reasonably good. And it depends how warm you like your bedrooms!

Laurelii

user1977 said:

I doubt a single panel radiator on the landing will do much (especially while bedroom doors are closed) though there might be a surfeit of heat coming up from downstairs, and insulation might be reasonably good. And it depends how warm you like your bedrooms!

There is a large radiator in the room below. is there a way how i can find out if the insulation is good or would i have to be moved in first and look for myself. It is a mid terrace (again if that is relevant) Im a FTB so all of this is very new.

Soot2006

Ask the EA to ask the vendor what heating system is in place.  Given the modern-ish decor and clean appearance of the house I'd be amazed if it didn't have provision for heating. Did you visit in winter; was it cold?

user1977

Laurelii said:

user1977 said:

I doubt a single panel radiator on the landing will do much (especially while bedroom doors are closed) though there might be a surfeit of heat coming up from downstairs, and insulation might be reasonably good. And it depends how warm you like your bedrooms!

There is a large radiator in the room below. is there a way how i can find out if the insulation is good or would i have to be moved in first and look for myself. It is a mid terrace (again if that is relevant) Im a FTB so all of this is very new.

What does the EPC say? Have you had a survey?

In practice though you're probably better to wait and see what it's like to live with before worrying too much about what (if anything) to do about it.

ProDave

Wait until the cold weather gets here in the next few days, than ask for another viewing and see if the bedrooms are warm or not.

My own self build, almost to passive house standards needs no heating upstairs, but I very much doubt anyone has upgraded the insulation in a 1980's house to achieve that.

WestwardBound_2

My parents owned a house built in 1974 with no heating whatsoever upstairs. I spent most winters scraping ice from the inside of my bedroom window. On my wife's first visit she wore a hat in bed it was so cold.

Is the house you are buying located in Runcorn, Cheshire by any chance?

lookstraightahead

At what point in the prices are you, as it should come up in the survey.

lookstraightahead

WestwardBound_2 said:

My parents owned a house built in 1974 with no heating whatsoever upstairs. I spent most winters scraping ice from the inside of my bedroom window. On my wife's first visit she wore a hat in bed it was so cold.

Is the house you are buying located in Runcorn, Cheshire by any chance?

I grew up in the seventies and it was the same for me - icicles on the inside of the windows. Probably why I hate double glazing / hot bedrooms and always sleep with the windows open. Much healthier than nowadays.

comeandgo

There is a radiator visible in one of the rooms, would there be other behind the headboard or chest of drawers?