Is it every okay for a boiler to smell of gas?

[SadPander]

House we are possibly buying has the boiler (looks fairly newish) in a small understairs cupboard. There isn't much room to access the boiler, so from that point alone I don't think it is very well located. On opening the cupboard and bending down there was a definite smell of gas. Apparently the owners have had it cheked and there is nothing wrong with it - and they have gotten used to the smell so don't mind!

Now aside from not wanting to smell gas even if it isn't a safety issue, I can't believe that smelling gas can ever be okay?? I thought that was why gas had a smell, to warn you it was there? We'll get it looked at ourselves before exchanging contracts as I don't want to take any chances, but is there any explanation for this which isn't dangerous and expensive?

Smelling gas is NOT ok. I would strongly encourage you to call the National Gas Emergency Line - 0800 111 999 - doesn't matter that it is not 'your' house. You could be saving the owners lives.

I'm wondering if the cupboard does not have adequate ventilation and if this is the case the owners could be giving themselves carbon dioxide poisoning without realising it.

Without wanting to scaremonger, do not leave a situation like this to chance.

Thanks Loz, was wondering the same myself about ventilation. Can't beleive they are so laid back about it and not bothered as 'used' to the smell! I certaintly don't want to move in this place myself with a newborn until something is sorted and obviously don't want the current owners to come to any harm either.

have PM'd you. But if there is a smell of gas, don't go near the place with or without a baby. And if the owners are prepared to put up with a smell of gas, they may not be the sharpest knives in the drawer so be very careful with any DIY they have done.

BTW Carbon DIOXIDE isn't poisonous, just unbreathable. Detectors spot carbon MONOXIDE, which is deadly but doesn't smell. 'gas' as in the fuel does smell and blows up.

Thanks Spcialsubject that's really helpful and thanks for the PM. It amazes me that people think its okay to just take chances with this kind of stuff. Have had a look on line and we can get a gas safety check done for £45 so this is another option we'll consider, and also there will be a homebuyers survey to pick up any other dodgyness. The electrics are a little questionable but luckily we have an electricain in the family to deal with this. Makes you wonder what else may be lurking though!

talk to your surveyor before choosing him/her - make sure the report will not be hedged about with 'get a specialist to check on x, y and z'. They don't test electrics and they don't check heating installations, but they should be able to give you a good idea of condition of everything else.

Is the gas meter in the same cupboard?
A gas engineer would test for gas leaks after the meter - where the gas is yours - but the gas supplier should test for leaks before the meter and sort out problems at their expense.
Cracks in gas pipes on the suppliers side of the meter does happen and can have terrible explosive consequences.