Engineers report didnt check heating

Hi,

We are about to sign contracts on a house. The new wooden floors are buckled in areas and we asked for money off the house to replace the floors. However, this was declined and the seller said he would repair them, but couldnt until there was heating oil put in and we had signed binding contracts.

So, it was put in as a special condition in the contracts that he will repair the floors. What my main concern is now is that our engineer did not check that the heating is in working order. Its an old house that has been renovated and its oil heating. Apparently the tank is empty.

What do I do now...how can I check the heating works before signing...pay for oil?? How do I know that the reason he wont fix the floors before we sign contracts isnt because the heating doesnt work and we will then be caught with the bill?

Any advice apreciated.

Ask the owner to try out the heating for you. S/he doesn't have to get an oil fill, they can buy x amount of litres, enough to fire up the system. Our gauge on the central heating was broken last year. We ran out of kerosene without realising it. OH went to a garage and got about 5 litres, emptied into tank and the heating worked for a couple of days till our order arrived.

What did your engineer's report say about the heating system? Get him back out there right away!

The engineers report just said "heating could not be checked as it was not in operation at the time". Apparently most engineers reports dont include a check of the heating.

Another reason why these standard "structural surveys" are useless for most people.

Yup,They used to do it. I was told by my surveyor that they have to be qualiflied now in checking heating.

That's a good one. Soon we'll need to be qualififed to turn on the heating!

extopia said:

That's a good one. Soon we'll need to be qualififed to turn on the heating!

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You said it.I was sent on a ladder course(Yes a ladder course) for my job.Im now qualified to use ladders and step ladders now (Woo hoo)...

mad m said:

I was sent on a ladder course(Yes a ladder course) for my job.Im now qualified to use ladders and step ladders now (Woo hoo)...

Click to expand...

I guess you could say you are now upwardly mobile

tell the current owners that you'll pay for some oil to be put in as you want to see it working.
if theres nothing to hide then there should be no problem on thier part with this. If he refuses, you know somethings up.