Buyer asking for boiler service before exchange

[Deleted User]

I am selling my late mother's house. Because the boiler has not been serviced for a few years (I think it has, but I couldn't find the paperwork) the buyer is asking that I have it serviced before exchange.

The boiler is currently off and drainer because the house is unoccupied.

It seems a reasonable request. Of course something can still go wrong with the boiler between exchange and completion, but having it serviced at least gives the buyer some peace of mind.

What are your thoughts? It's only about 100 quid assuming the boiler is working correctly.

SprostonGreenHead

As a buyer, we requested this from our sellers as they'd had a new boiler installed in 2016 and there was no evidence it had been serviced since. Our RICS homebuyers report flagged it up as something we should ask for. Sellers agreed and got it sorted within a week for around that sum and produced the documentary evidence.

£100 is small change imo to give your buyers a little extra confidence.

user1977

How close is exchange going to be to completion? Might be a bit of a faff to fill up, service, and then have to drain again.

But otherwise, yes, I wouldn't bother arguing about it - at least you're then in control of things, rather than the most likely alternative which is the buyer sending their own gas person in, who then claims they've found a problem.

[Deleted User]

user1977 said:

How close is exchange going to be to completion? Might be a bit of a faff to fill up, service, and then have to drain again.

But otherwise, yes, I wouldn't bother arguing about it - at least you're then in control of things, rather than the most likely alternative which is the buyer sending their own gas person in, who then claims they've found a problem.

The exchange to completion dates haven't been discussed. I only received the seller enquiries yesterday.

Yes you are right. I did consider telling them they could arrange their own inspection. But as I am still the owner and have access to the property, I'll do it myself.

lookstraightahead

For me as a buyer, I would want to know it's still working albeit for just a short amount of time to get through winter. 

We moved into our house 18 months ago and we asked for the boiler to be serviced. We expect to replace it soon but it's still going strong, bless it 🤣

ThisIsWeird

It's more hassle in your case as it's been drained down, and - if the house will be left unoccupied again for winter - will require draining down again after the service.

But, as you acknowledge, it's a perfectly reasonable request, and should help smooth over the process.

(If you wanted to leave them a bottle of CH Inhibitor as a house-warming present, I'm sure they'd be super-grateful   )

subjecttocontract

In my opinion it depends on the terms of the sale. If they are paying at or above the asking price perhaps I could be persuaded to arrange a service. If they have already made a lower offer then what's wrong with saying NO ?

LegallyLandlord

It’s a reasonable request and not expensive in the grand scheme of things. I agree airy your instincts and the advice of the others - go ahead and do it. It’ll be one thing off the list. 

macman

Had it not been drained down, the buyer could simply have switched it on and tested it briefly themselves. In the absence of any service history, it's a reasonable request, though of course you are under no obligation to pay for it.
The risk is that the RGI finds it unserviceable or even unsafe, in which case the buyer will rightfully want to renegotiate the price.

Noneforit999

If its drained down and it cannot be demonstrated to be working, combined with the lack of paperwork for previous servicing, I would be inclined to side with the buyer on this.

Buying is largely caveat emptor so due diligence on a boiler which cannot be shown to be working is the right thing to do from their perspective. 

lookstraightahead

subjecttocontract said:

In my opinion it depends on the terms of the sale. If they are paying at or above the asking price perhaps I could be persuaded to arrange a service. If they have already made a lower offer then what's wrong with saying NO ?

Well if you shout it they may pull out 🤣

Sellers should understand that it's an old boiler but if it's sold as working whatever you've paid it's nice to know and a good gesture if you want the new owners to pass your post on for a little while.

If my vendor says no I would then start to wonder why and possibly start getting a bit twitchy.