Moving home can be a whirlwind of packing, sorting, and new beginnings! The last thing you want to worry about is your plumbing and heating, so we’ve put together a short checklist to ensure yours is fit for purpose.
Safety First
Have a gas engineer conduct a Gas Safety Certificate and thorough check of the entire heating system within the first 5 days of receiving the keys, so you can notify your solicitor of any defects. Typically, the seller is required by law to rectify these if reported in time. For example, if your boiler turns out to be faulty or not fit for purpose, the seller will likely have to cover the costs for repairs or even replacement.
You can have this done prior to completing however, if an engineer finds any issues with the boiler that are deemed as immediately dangerous, they have a legal obligation to cap off the appliance so you need to keep this in mind.
Emergency Gas Shut-Off Valve:
Locate the valve, usually near the gas meter. Knowing its location and how to operate it in case of an emergency could be crucial.
This is very important in case of an emergency. It’s often found under the kitchen sink, but it may not always be conveniently located. You might want to consider relocating it to a more accessible place in the long term.
Take a Meter Reading:
You should take a meter reading as soon as you move in to avoid being charged for any gas you haven’t used. Many people have smart meters nowadays; however, it’s always a good idea to take a photo of the meter reading when you move in.
Test Out Your Taps, Toilets, Sinks, Showers, and Baths:
Look for any leaks or drainage problems. If these issues weren’t disclosed prior to the sale and are significant, you only have a few days to report them. Check with your solicitor for expert guidance.
Explore Heating Controls:
If the home has smart heating controls installed, familiarise yourself with them quickly to run your heating efficiently and save money.
Radiator Checks:
Noisy radiators or hot and cold spots could indicate wear and tear in a central heating system. It may be necessary to bleed the radiators or perform a power flush to clear out sludge and restore proper function. Ensure that your radiator valves work well and that your radiators heat evenly; this is something you should report to your solicitor within 5 days, as any faults should be notified.
Outside:
Don’t forget to check that your drains are functioning well and not overflowing. Also, inspect outside taps or water features.
New Homeowner Checks
If required, we can offer a comprehensive service to ensure that any defects in your heating system are noted and can be reported to your solicitor within the standard 5-7 day notification period. Don’t wait until it’s too late to discover that you’ve been sold a boiler that isn’t fit for purpose or a heating system and radiators that are clogged with sludge and not providing any heat.
If you have any plumbing concerns, we’re happy to inspect the issues and advise on how to rectify them.
Remember, we’re always just a phone call away to help with any problems. To request a New Homeowner Check, just get in touch, and our helpful staff will organise this for you. Give us a call on 0800 644 6750.
