Should estate agent have done checks?

user1977

The vast majority of purchasers don't get these certificates. They've never been a part of any purchase or sale of mine.

Is there anything actually wrong with the electrics or gas?

anselld

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967237#Comment_81967237

I guess it is the Vendor that is dodgy rather than necessarily the property. ie a Landlord who has rented out without the legally required certificates.

It does not necessarily imply a dodgy property but is is probably not a good start. What else has the Vendor neglected?

ExEstateAgent

Not sure what difference it makes, the purchaser needs to make their own checks on things like the electrics etc.

If your worry is regarding the tenant not moving out that could happen regardless - I'd have suggested not buying a property that's tenanted regardless of what you've been told regarding them moving out.

Yorkie1

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967263#Comment_81967263

I suppose it might indicate that the LL could struggle to evict the tenants, where they are still present in the property and the LL assumes it will be easy to get vacant possession at the right stage in the sale process.

mills112

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967263#Comment_81967263

yeah, like he has lied on the TA6 form already to say that he didn't know when the boiler was installed and there is no service for the boiler at all but he will get one done soon!

the surveyor states the boiler was installed in 2021 but it has not been serviced since! the seller had owned the property since 2016.

silvercar

Maybe he is selling up because he doesn’t want to be doing anything dodgy (any longer).

Does it really matter? Your buying the property not the previous landlord history.

Maybe there was a gas safety certificate, but he doesn’t want to pass it on. He’s not obliged to. Maybe the electric report showed up suggested improvements that he doesn’t want to declare. The only thing to be concerned with is that the property is vacant.

mills112

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967237#Comment_81967237

there are reasons why tenanted properties need to have ECIR and annual gas safety certificates. without these, the properties are not safe to be occupied. owner occupied properties are looked after better because the consequence is suffered by the owners, not so much rented properties.

a rougue landlord needs to be caught in my opinion and the estate agents would be the perfect bottle neck to catch them if they manage to evade the councils.

mills112

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967364#Comment_81967364

he is committing a crime by not having the gas safety certificates and the ECIR passed. for someone buying a property from a criminal, you could end up wasting a lot of time and money as the council may soon find out and the property can't be sold. can the council stop the sale as they bring the culprit to court and prosecute?

i am wondering if the solicitors have an obligation to report him to the council as he has admitted to them, DOH.

and if he really wants to stop doing the illegal thing, he would go and get a gas safety certificate and an ECIR report pronto before he is reported.

silvercar

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967377#Comment_81967377

can you explain why a property without a gas certificate can’t be sold?

mills112

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81967409#Comment_81967409

google it.