Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We just closed on our first home last week. We're having work done and will be moving in a couple of weeks. We were down there today and turned on the heat. The house warmed up nicely. Went to the basement which was really cold. We looked around for vents and didn't see any. We left and then asked our realtor. She said it was in the seller's disclosure that the basement was heated. I looked at the photos and see a stand alone kind of electric furnace. about 2'long x 1' high. I didn't see that when we were there so maybe it's there or maybe they took it.
Whichever is the case, is that considered a heated basement? I thought a heated basement meant that it was heated in a way a house would be heated.
And now what can we do? Just eat it and pay for ducts or whatever? We bought this house a lot because my husband can have his grand piano down there so stable heat is very important.
Thanks!
Yes, any form of heating in the basement is considered a heated one, whether or not the temperature is to your comfort level or not. And how in the world would you get a grand piano down the stairs to the basement?
Yes, any form of heating in the basement is considered a heated one, whether or not the temperature is to your comfort level or not. And how in the world would you get a grand piano down the stairs to the basement?
Not it's not. A heated basement in the seller's disclosure would be a permanent method of heat. A lame space heater is a temporary method of heat, thus not considered to be having a heat source. Did the OP not have an inspection? An inspection would have revealed that the basement was technically unheated.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,206,701 times
Reputation: 57821
If that was a plugin space heater in the photo, and you had that in writing, there is grounds for a false advertising claim. I had a similar situation when buying a home in the late 80s. The basement had a gas furnace but it had been disconnected due to the fume vent containing asbestos. Rather than replace the vent it was far easier to simply cut a hole in the ceiling and tap into an existing duct, run a new length between the joists and put in two vents. At the time, doing it myself it was less than $100. Not worth the bother to complain, and the end result was a far better way to heat the space.
Not it's not. A heated basement in the seller's disclosure would be a permanent method of heat. A lame space heater is a temporary method of heat, thus not considered to be having a heat source. Did the OP not have an inspection? An inspection would have revealed that the basement was technically unheated.
Oops, I meant to say permanent heating system. No, a space heater would not qualify. But a hard-wired baseboard heater would.
Alternatively it could be underfloor heated. Our basement was set up that way.
And we didn't need steps to set up the pool table. We had beautiful patio doors that allowed access for large pieces...
Most basements in regions that have a cold freeze ...Have a source of heat to keep the pipes from freezing.
I tend to think the home inspector should have noted the status . Review your paperwork. Our insurance agent kept a copy since our home required inspection to determine proper coverage .
Fortunately, as ductwork goes, this should be moderately easy (as compared to other areas of the home). Get an estimate so you have a precise figure to negotiate over. Also, be sure to confirm the current HVAC can handle the extra square footage, or you could be regretting your expansion.
Definitely pursue this now while it's all fresh.
Thanks SmartMoney. Good to know that this is easy to do ( can I assume easy means not costly?
Alternatively it could be underfloor heated. Our basement was set up that way.
And we didn't need steps to set up the pool table. We had beautiful patio doors that allowed access for large pieces...
Most basements in regions that have a cold freeze ...Have a source of heat to keep the pipes from freezing.
I tend to think the home inspector should have noted the status . Review your paperwork. Our insurance agent kept a copy since our home required inspection to determine proper coverage .
Nov3,radiant heat is my dream if that's what you're talking about but unfortunately that's pretty expensive if you're not DIYers.
I looked on the inspection report and no there isn't anything mentioned about heat.
If that was a plugin space heater in the photo, and you had that in writing, there is grounds for a false advertising claim. I had a similar situation when buying a home in the late 80s. The basement had a gas furnace but it had been disconnected due to the fume vent containing asbestos. Rather than replace the vent it was far easier to simply cut a hole in the ceiling and tap into an existing duct, run a new length between the joists and put in two vents. At the time, doing it myself it was less than $100. Not worth the bother to complain, and the end result was a far better way to heat the space.
Good to know Hemlock140! I hope it's as easy as yours was! Thanks!
tea23, you are really ticking the boxes on lessons learned when buying a first home. Aren't you the people with the asbestos problem, the attorney who didn't do what you felt he was supposed to and the unlicensed garage? You could make a good video of your experiences and what you discovered through all this.
Things in NJ can go by state law or by smaller jurisdiction law. Here's one example:
See if you can find the finished basement requirements or heated basement requirements for your precise area.
At the very least, you would hope for the "heated" part of the "heated basement".
Grand piano. Don't know if I'd trust any basement with a significant piano...at least not any in my experience.
Cully, thanks for the link. It says, "(d) Indicate on the plans if the finished basement will be heated or unheated. If the basement is to be heated please indicate the location of all supply and return diffusers and or other type of heating for the basement to be used."
That doesn't actually state what constitutes a heated finished basement. Seems surprising to me. Or maybe it's saying that any or the mentioned heat sources are acceptable.
And yep yep yep, that was us!
About the piano.This is something I've been concerned about. It's not just a grand piano but a $20K grand piano. My husband insists a basement is fine. Even when I wanted him to speak to a piano specialist. There's not much more I can do about this and hope he knows what he's talking about. I mean this is his first love. (I come second!)
A plug in type electric heater is not considered a heated space. I could put one in my attic, but it doesn't make it a finished, heated attic.
Heated basement would consist of air ducts, hot water radiators, or permanently wired electric baseboard.
I could see how it could get missed. The home inspector really wouldn't be privy to the fact the basement was listed as heated on the listing. He just walks in, tests the heating system, and notes than it works.
As to how to add heat, really all depends. From what I've read, it sounds as if you have a furnace (forced hot air) so ducting would need to be added. Depending on the layout of the room, this might require taking down walls, and possibly reframing some area that will carry the ducts, unless the furnace is located in a spot where some ducting could be run in an unfinished area. A second zone should really be created as well. I've get a few contractors in and start getting some quotes.
I think you have a legitimate gripe that the basement was listed as heated, but discovered it was not. I'd talk to your real estate attorney however, rather than get advice from an internet forum
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
