If a house is sold with central heating, does it have to work?

If the description of the house said it had central heating, but the boiler didn't work, what could a buyer do if anything?

If you are in UK, your surveyor should have checked that it worked or (s)he should have written on his/her report that it hadn't been checked. I would start by checking the survey. I would think that the buyer should have some redress, yes.

Nothing. The onus is on the buyer or his representative or surveyor to check this out.

nothing because the buyer knows the boiler doesn't work

You would have an excellent claim against the seller to pay for its repair (IF it was NOT advertised as non-operational), if you could locate the seller or the listing real estate agent. This is a perfect example of why buyers should always obtain a professional inspection to check on things like that.

Sold as seen, unless you agreed that the boiler would have a guarantee as part of the deal..
Caveat Emptor

Very few people, if any, would even look at a house if it didn't have a central heating service certificate.
What most people do, just before putting house up for sale is get a plumber/engineer to service it and then show the certificate to potential buyers.
Apart from anything else you could leave yourself open to legal action, you are advertising something that it doesn't have if it doesn't work.

Throw a brick through your window, key your car, buy a new boiler, shout at the estate agent...

No - just need to check this all out yourself on the viewing or arrange for a CORGI inspection. You can then use these findings to negotiate the price if, say, they tell you the boiler is on its last legs and will need replacing in 3 months time.

My Mum worked for an estate agents years ago and once someone bought a house and discovered that there was only one plug socket in the living room that worked - the rest were all socket plates that the owner had just screwed into the wall!!

depends if it was stated as working
the cost of a boiler compared to the cost of the house ?
you may get a couple of hundred off but is it really worth the hastle?

i'm sure its "buyer beware!"when it comes to things like that

think yourself lucky that you haven't just found out it needs underpinning - then i'd be p1ssed

nothing unless the paperwork stated that it was in working condition

Well every house has central heating. Perhaps you should sign up to a heating company low.

The basic rule is that its up to the purchaser to make their own enquiries and surveys etc. covering all the key aspects of the property.This is why your solicitor does local and other searches etc.Another important pre-purchase task is to submit 'pre-contract' enquiries to the vendor.

These are a fairly lengthy list of semi-standard questions about a number of aspects of the sale for instance what fixtures and fittings are included in the price.These often also include a question about central heating and last service date.

Liability if any for a non working boiler depends on what if anything was said in relation to this question.

Most sales particulars state that the services and appliances have not been tested by the vendor or their agent and they are not responsible for them working. If this is the case then you should ask your surveyor to check them or at least ask the vendor the questions when you're at the house. Unless the sales particulars or any correspondence specifically said that the boiler worked then there's not a lot you can do.

Try appealing to the vendors good nature, it's unlikely they'll pay for an new boiler - but you never know. Otherwise find out why the boiler isn't working and get it fixed or buy a new one

Arent you a funny one

Make it a point, if you submit a bid, to bring to the owners attention you want it fixed at their expense. If dealing with a real estate agent then bring it to their attention also. Would you buy a car that looked good but would not start? I wouldn't. Cost could be astronomical and they want your money, so make them earn it, you had to.

It depends on your state.
In MS, you are suppose to "disclose" what is not in working order, because one cannot tell until power is connected to the home. Otherwise, the homeowner is either responsible for the repairs, or to take the amount of the repairs OFF the sale.

If this was not DISCLOSED, then you should get back in touch with your agent. You should also consider taking the person to small claims court as misrepresenting a sale. Get a report made on it ASAP so they can't say it happened under your care. Or AFTER you moved in, etc.