Section 32 Query

[shellt]

We have just bought a property, and the section 32 states that there is gas connected to the house, however noneo of the appliances/hotwater/heater etc use gas and we could not find a gas meter, or even just the gas pipe.

We rang a gas company and they said it had never been connected to the house. What rights do we have with this? I'm assuming it could be quite costly to get the gas connected to the house, especially if the mains are on the other side of the road and we'd have to dig under the road to get it to the house.

Cheers

 

[The Y-man]

Can you get the exact wording on the s32 or scan the page?

Usually says something along the lines of "where available" or something...

The Y-man

 

[tarek85]

We have just bought a property, and the section 32 states that there is gas connected to the house, however noneo of the appliances/hotwater/heater etc use gas and we could not find a gas meter, or even just the gas pipe.

We rang a gas company and they said it had never been connected to the house. What rights do we have with this? I'm assuming it could be quite costly to get the gas connected to the house, especially if the mains are on the other side of the road and we'd have to dig under the road to get it to the house.

Cheers

Going by what you're saying, if the section 32 says "connected" this term can be unclear and it could mean "connected to the land" but not connected to the service provider - although it should it mean that it is connected to the service provider.

It may be defective and you may be able to you may be able to void the contract on this basis.

More information is required and there may be a warning to the purchaser re expenses for "connection"

 

[shellt]

Thanks everyone. The wording is as follows:

6. SERVICES - information concerning the supply of services is as follows:

Service Status Name of Authority

Electricity Connected Service provider of choice
Gas Connected Service provider of choice
Water Connected Yarra Valley Water
Sewerage Connected Yarra Valley Water
Telephone Connected Service provider of choice

Warning to the Purchaser: You should check with the appropriate authorities as to the availability, and costs, of providing any essential service not connected to the property.

 

[shellt]

Also - if it was connected to the land that would be fine, we'd just put a meter on it and connect to the house, but the gas people are saying it doesn't have a connection to the land.

 

[The Y-man]

Ok, looks a bit sus.... how long until settlement (too late if settled)? I'd talk to your conveyancing lawyer pronto for advice.

The Y-man

 

[shellt]

Thanks for that. We'll see what the solicitor says.

 

[Terryw]

Warning to the Purchaser: You should check with the appropriate authorities as to the availability, and costs, of providing any essential service not connected to the property.

The vendor has covered themselves with this statement.

 

[MrHyde]

The vendor has covered themselves with this statement.

But have they? The statement specifically says that the purchaser should check availability of utilities not connected.

Section 32 says Gas is connected, so why should the purchaser check its availability.

 

[Terryw]

MrHyde - you have a good point.

 

[shellt]

Hi all,

Thanks for all your help.

The end result was that the gas people who are responsible for putting in the pipes from the mains to the property will do it for free. They said they always do it for free if the property is 20 metres or less from the road, charges are only applied when property is further than 20m from the road.

Thankfully we didn't have to go down the legality road with the vendors.

Cheers,