buying a house with an old (ish) roof

[what..the?]

Hello I like this house and the roof tiles look quite old compared to the two houses either side (all detached) which have had the houses competely 'done up'. The house is say 100 years old and the tiles look maybe 30 years old. What should I know about roofs and the cost and reroofing/tiling. How long does a roof last, should I look for certain things when I view the house again.

Also the house has oil central heating but a downstairs shower room seems to have an electric heater rather than a radiator like the rest of the house, would these be to save the cost in installing a radiator in there? and is it dangerous water/electric?

[buildersmate]

You don't say what the roof is made of, but expect at least 60 years from a decent one. Many roofs have about around more than 200.
Slates, clay tiles last a really long time.
Concrete tiles have been around probably 70 years and don't wear out as such - just get wash out in appearance.
The biggest issue is probably loose nails / cracks in tiles cause by thermal stress. Use a pair of binoculars to look over it carefully from the outside. Then go up in the roof and look at it - check for felting in good condition (old roofs didn't have this).
Pay particular attention to places where mortar is used to secure tiles (ridge tiles, at eaves - these sorts of places).
Just because the neighbours have both changed the roof doesn't mean your house is a problem - they were probably 'sold' a roof by someone knocking on the door.
There is no safety reason why an electric radiator can't be used in a bathroom. Often it is done like this to allow a towel to be dried out in there during the summer (when the rest of the heat is off).
Probably not cost-effective to change it.

[Tweed]

Look at the ridge. Is it straight? Is the foof flat? If that is okay check out the tiles as per previous post.

[what..the?]

Thank you so much for the information, it is a tiled roof but it is hard to know what they are made of. They look redish in colour it that helps and have in areas quite a bit a moss growing on them.

Yes using binoculars is a good idea, except I may struggle a bit because the house is in an elevated position.

I talked to the agents who said that the owners had 'maintained' the roof, and explained in storms they have lost some tiles and had them replaced. So there is some history there.

I asked the agent to ask the seller about the rayburn as I know nothing about these they say:

"The Rayburn is run on oil and easy to use. The advantage of it is that it keeps the property with a constant supply of hot water is left on low so it saves putting the central heating on to get your hot water heated. Ideal is the summer and even in winter if you use the fireplaces and don't need the radiators. "

I dont know it this is good or not? Or just agent talk.

[Tweed]

Could be asbestos tiles.