First-time buyer heating advice
A homebuyer's survey will tell you a boiler exists and roughly how old it looks. It won't tell you whether it works properly, whether it was installed correctly, or what it will cost you in year two.
What actually matters before exchange
Age and model tell you about parts availability. The benchmark book and service history tell you whether any guarantee survives. The system itself — radiator condition, whether there's a filter, whether the water runs clear — tells you whether you're inheriting a clean system or a decade of neglect. That last point often costs more than the boiler.
Ask the seller for these
- Boiler make, model and installation date
- Benchmark book and any annual service records
- Gas safety certificate if the property has been let
- Whether a system filter and inhibitor are present
Frequently asked
- Should I get a separate boiler inspection?
- On an older system, it's cheap insurance and gives you something concrete for negotiation.
- Does a boiler guarantee transfer?
- Manufacturer guarantees usually transfer with the property, provided servicing has been kept up.
- How much should I budget?
- Ask us for a ballpark based on the property type and we'll be straight with you rather than quoting blind.
Check before you commit
An hour's inspection before exchange is far cheaper than discovering the system needs cleansing and the boiler is obsolete in your first winter.
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