I'm helping my parents buy an apartment. It's in a retirement development, only 4 years old, and has only been lived in for the first of those 4 years (Covid, sales falling through, etc). What do you think I should do in response to this guidance from the estate agent?
Whilst you are under no obligation, we do recommend that you instruct a professional to conduct an independent assessment of all appliances and services within the property prior to exchange of contracts.
Does assessment of all appliances (it's all electric) mean PAT testing? What 'services' are meant? Who should do this? How extensive should the testing on an essentially new, not much used property be? It has underfloor heating, for example - how would I test this? Who would I employ to do this?
Sorry to sound so bewildered - I've bought places myself, but always older properties and have just assumed that any problems would be mine to mop up. I don't want to land my elderly parents with any surprises though. Grateful for any guidance here.