HOUSE hunters are being urged to check a property’s heating system before buying a new home to help avoid any unexpected costs.

The advice comes after a survey revealed that failing to ask when the boiler was last serviced is the biggest regret homeowners have after moving in.

OFTEC, the UK trade association for the oil heating industry, says people should ask for servicing reports, check any heating work was carried out by an accredited professional and consider replacing the boiler if it is more than 15-years-old.

Malcolm Farrow, from OFTEC, said: “It might not be the most thrilling feature, but a heating system is fundamental to the running of a home and can be a big source of stress and cost if you find out it isn’t working properly a few months down the line, especially when the cold weather kicks in.