A survey will tell you about the roof and the damp. It rarely says much about the boiler. If the one in the house you want is old, you can still buy it. You just want to know what you're taking on, and to avoid a cold first winter.
Before you exchange
- Ask the seller for the boiler's age and make, and for its manual and any warranty paperwork.
- Ask for service records. A boiler with a yearly history is a better bet than one with none.
- Ask for the commissioning record, often a Benchmark checklist, that the installer completed when it was fitted.
- Ask for the latest gas safety certificate if the house has been rented out.
- Check whether any warranty can be transferred to you, because terms differ by manufacturer.
- Ask for a service visit before completion if the seller agrees. A Gas Safe engineer can tell you a lot in an hour.
Budget for the worst case
Put a figure aside. Our new gas boiler cost guide puts a like-for-like replacement at around £1,800 to £4,000. If you'd like the house to have a different set-up, or the boiler is in the wrong place, gas boiler replacement or boiler relocation may be what you need. Even if the boiler works, you can use its age to negotiate.
Your first month
- Book a gas boiler service so you have a baseline and a record under your name.
- Fit a carbon monoxide alarm near the boiler if there isn't one.
- Find the stopcock, gas shut-off and the boiler's pressure gauge, and know where the manual is.
- Check the heating works in every room before the weather turns cold.
- Register the boiler's warranty in your name if the manufacturer allows it.
Anyone who works on the boiler should appear on the Gas Safe Register. If an earlier repair was done by someone who isn't registered, you may want a second opinion on the work.
If the boiler is already showing its age, our checklist of the signs you need a new boiler will help you decide whether to keep it or replace it. Landlords buying to let have extra duties, which a separate guide on the landlord gas safety certificate will cover. For faults that appear soon after you move in, a gas boiler repairs visit is the place to start.
How to check a boiler before buying a house
- Ask for the paperwork
Request the boiler's manual, warranty details, commissioning record and any gas safety certificate.
- Check the service history
Look for regular annual services by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
- Note the age and type
Find the make, model and installation date, and whether it is a combi, system or regular boiler.
- Arrange an engineer's check
If possible, have a Gas Safe engineer look at the boiler before completion.
- Budget for replacement
Set aside money in case it needs replacing soon, or use its age when negotiating the price.
Frequently asked questions
Should I worry about an old boiler when buying a house?
It isn't a reason to walk away. Ask for the service history, budget for a possible replacement and use the age as a talking point on price.
Does a boiler warranty transfer to the new owner?
It depends on the manufacturer and the installer's terms. Ask the seller for the paperwork and contact the manufacturer to check.
Is a gas safety certificate needed when buying a house?
Not for a private sale, but a recent certificate or service record is useful evidence. Landlords have separate legal duties.
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