Soon after we bought our bungalow, we discovered there was no cold water connection to the shower. The wet room had been supplied and fitted by Homebase and was still under guarantee. However, when I contacted the local branch, I was told that the guarantee was given to the former owner, not to us, and therefore was not valid.
Is there anything I can do? AG, Canterbury
Not if the terms and conditions of the guarantee specify that only the named buyer is covered. Frustratingly, this is perfectly normal practice among companies and renders a lot of guarantees worthless, as homeowners are not likely to be taking their wet room/conservatory/new windows with them when they move.
The logic behind the nonsense is, of course, money, although Homebase naturally won’t admit it.
Companies will seek to limit their liability whenever possible and, although conveyancing solicitors have to establish whether guarantees exist, they are not obliged to check that they are transferable and many don’t bother before handing over the misleadingly reassuring-looking paperwork.
Next time you’re on the move, specify that you want this done. Luckily, Homebase is more concerned about media image than its ts and cs so a call to the press office despatches a regional installations manager who realises that the installer forgot to adjust the cold water valve in the loft.
Presumably your vendors liked scalding showers!
If you need help email Anna Tims at your.problems@observer.co.uk or write to Your Problems, The Observer, Kings Place, 90 York Way, London N1 9GU. Include an address and phone number.
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