Broken fixtures in house purchase

[smee1978]

Hi there, I am in the process of purchasing a house. It was built in the mid 70's and still has the original boiler. This concerns me slightly as I have had boiler problems in the past and know they don't last forever and are an expensive fix! I know it should currently be in full working order, as it would've been looked at in the energy efficiency check for the HIP, but someone told me that if it breaks down within a year of me buying the property, the previous owners will be liable for the replacement? Is that true? Also, what if I move in and find it not working? I just worry because the house is currently empty and the boiler hasn't been in use at all for months! Thanks!

[buildersmate]

Any house with an original boiler from the 70s needs it changing now - whether or not the thing is currently working or not. You need to factor this into your price, perhaps allowing �2k for a heating engineer to change it.
Old boilers are not only pretty inefficient by modern standards, but the parts are going to be impossible to obtain and you can be sure it will break down in the midst of winter when you need the heat and plumbers are super busy (and so more expensive).
It's a problem just waiting to happen.
The business about the sellers being responsible for the next 12 months is pure myth - it is for you to have the boiler checked (and indeed the rest of the equipment in the house).
I wouldn't even waste the money on having the boiler checked - assume it needs changing before the winter.

[bednobs]

i have to agree with BM.
You are talking of A 30 year old (at least) boiler. You really can't expect anything from it,

[smee1978]

Thanks, I'm glad to hear I'm not just being paranoid about the old boiler!