We bought our house a few months ago. When we started to use the oil furnance last month, there was always the smell of old mechnical oil in the air. A service guy told us that the furnance could no longer be used for it had a crack inside and was releasing exhaust gas. We were wondering if the previous owner should also take some responsibility to sell the house with a furnance functioning dangerously? Please advice. Thanks!
2007-11-26 03:33:37 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Did you have a professional home inspection performed? If so they usually guarentee major appliances like the furnace, water heater, and air conditioner for 6 months to a year. Other than that I think once you have taken possession of the property you would have to be able to prove that the previous owner knew the furnace was bad but did not disclose that information to you. The realitor is also required to disclose any such information if they are aware of it. Talk with a lawyer.
2007-11-26 03:39:04 · answer #1 · answered by countryguyhfc 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't believe so. I've bought a few homes before and I always had a home inspection done on the house BEFORE I closed escrow. Lots of homes seem perfect on the outside but Home Inspections are worth the money... especially in your case. They inspect everything in the house, around the house, and let you know everything. It's also recommended to go to the city or county and make sure all the necessary permits are legal and completed as well since a lot of people remodel homes too.
But talk to your real estate agent and ask too since they probably have experience with your problem. But once the home and escrow is done, I don't believe the previous owners are obligated to do anything.
2007-11-26 03:43:55 · answer #2 · answered by D W 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Unless you had the home professionally inspected prior to purchase, you bought it as it is. A qualified home inspector would have checked the condition of the heat exchanger (that is what is cracked), and you would have had the opportunity to engage the seller at that point.
Now that you are closed, you are on your own. Yes, it will require a new furnace (a replacement heat exchanger costs nearly as much as a new furnace)
If the furnace is not unduly old, you can also check for a possible warranty on it. Many furnace manufacturers put a rather lengthy warranty on the heat exchanger part of the furnace.
2007-11-26 03:38:58 · answer #3 · answered by acermill 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the weather, your home inspector and/or Realtor would have recommended a heating and air specialist. The Seller no longer has a responsibility. Closing constitutes acceptance. Heat exchanger can go out at any time. A carbon monoxide test should immediately be done.
2007-11-26 04:37:13 · answer #4 · answered by Venita Peyton 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends. If there was a seller's disclosure statement completed showing that the furnace was in working order, you could have a chance; but you also have to take into account that you should have had a home inspection done before closing.
2007-11-26 03:39:05 · answer #5 · answered by legalchick791 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋