House FSH?

Randomface74 · 29 Nov 2012 at 13:53

I just had this idea of keeping a record of everything that happens to my house (which being built as we speak).

I know most people keep a full service history for their car - but what about their house? Do you have something like this?

Meridian · 29 Nov 2012 at 14:11

Yes, sort of. I'm just about to sell mine, so I've put together all the receipts for work done - new boiler and tank, new kitchen, new bathroom etc. Thus, any new owner will know how old stuff is. Also, the boiler is still under warranty, so the warranty details are there.

However...

1) Almost no-one bothers, and
2) It won't get you any more money when you sell, or even make a difference between selling and not selling. I do it because I'm like that.

Anominity · 29 Nov 2012 at 14:37

Came looking for eyeless fish, was disappointed....

PhillyDee · 29 Nov 2012 at 14:38

Anominity said:
Came looking for eyeless fish, was disappointed....

I was looking for House MD, but getting a service on his cane.

londonbairn · 29 Nov 2012 at 14:59

When I renovated I kept a (very) large folder of everything.

I have everything from Fensa certificates, Part P certificate, drawings and plans of new kitchen/bathroom to every receipt/invoice possible of materials, work done etc.

If you ever come to sell I think it would distill a fair bit of confidence in a buyer, though not necessarily boost the price massively.

Crafty · 29 Nov 2012 at 16:34

Certificates for work done like electrical and anything to do with gas (e.g. boiler fit etc) should be kept, you will almost certainly be asked for them when you sell. Ditto planning consents and building regs sign offs if you have had building/alteration works done.

Receipt for the pot of paint you used to paint the lounge 3 years ago ? not worth keeping.

Adam · 29 Nov 2012 at 16:36

Nice idea but doesn't really work in principle. Note that the warranty for most things like windows etc only applies to the original owner at the time they were fitted.

Vanilla · 29 Nov 2012 at 16:38

I can't think of a reason not to do this.

NotAGolf · 29 Nov 2012 at 17:02

Vanilla said:
I can't think of a reason not to do this.

Agreed. Also when we bought our place, our solicitor made a bit of hoohaa as the seller couldn't find the FENSA certificate for the patio door that was recently installed. Not sure how much of a difference it would have made but they got it in the end.

LordSplodge · 29 Nov 2012 at 17:09

billysielu said:
I just had this idea of keeping a record of everything that happens to my house (which being built as we speak).

I'd keep a record of everything that is not built properly. But I don't have much faith in new builds.

Meridian · 30 Nov 2012 at 00:18

Adam said:
Nice idea but doesn't really work in principle. Note that the warranty for most things like windows etc only applies to the original owner at the time they were fitted.

They can usually be transferred, but only at some cost. Still usually cheaper than a repair though. I'd also love to know if that rule has ever been tested in court: it could reasonably be argued that the warranty applies purely to an object, and not mediated by a person.

NotAGolf · 30 Nov 2012 at 08:56

Adam said:
Nice idea but doesn't really work in principle. Note that the warranty for most things like windows etc only applies to the original owner at the time they were fitted.

After a couple of months of moving in to our new place, our patio door started to catch on the frame at the bottom. As it was installed fairly recently, the sellers left the FENSA certificate and the info from the relevant company. I rang them up, they came round the next day and fixed for no cost, no questions asked

GravyMonster · 30 Nov 2012 at 09:35

I thought everyone did this?

Meridian · 30 Nov 2012 at 10:17

Spunkey said:
I thought everyone did this?

Decent people, yes. But you know how rare they are, right?

Zogger · 30 Nov 2012 at 11:33

I would definitely think it would help a sale go smoother. Given they will probably have a survey, and the surveyor will say "we dunno if the boiler's been serviced so OMG it could be a DEATH TRAP" you can say, "here's the installation & service history" and the buyers won't be pulling out or reducing their price...

eatcustard · 30 Nov 2012 at 13:07

Adam said:
Nice idea but doesn't really work in principle. Note that the warranty for most things like windows etc only applies to the original owner at the time they were fitted.

Windows are cover on who owns the property, not just the original purchaser (as long as its FENSA)

londonbairn · 30 Nov 2012 at 13:13

Zogger said:
I would definitely think it would help a sale go smoother. Given they will probably have a survey, and the surveyor will say "we dunno if the boiler's been serviced so OMG it could be a DEATH TRAP" you can say, "here's the installation & service history" and the buyers won't be pulling out or reducing their price...

Exactly, when I bought my flat I used the fact they had no certs at all to bring the price down by a few k. Although the survey agreed with the price, I said the survey highlighted significant concerns with no known history on boiler etc.

Meridian · 30 Nov 2012 at 18:10

Selling a house as I am has reminded me: if you are using a solicitor then they may well insist on certain certificates etc, for things like boilers, double glazing and doors after 2002 etc.