What would you do?

Sweeno123 · 2023-09-20T11:40:06+00:00

I've exchanged on my flat and am due to complete next week. The dishwasher is included in the sale (it's integrated into the kitchen) and it has just broken! I have had a repair person round and he says a part is needed which will cost £250 and this is on top of the £120 call out fee. Am I obliged to fix the machine? What would you do? I'm sure I don't need to add that money is tight but I'm also conscious of doing the right thing by my buyer.

Honeyroar · 20/09/2023 12:43

Speak to your estate agent? I think you’d have to replace or give a little discount if it’s included. See if you can find a second hand dishwasher?

whyisitallsohard · 20/09/2023 12:44

hi. yes, you are obliged as it is contracted. I would let them know, fix it (explaining the fix to them) and keep good relations with them in case they want to sue you for something else. they just bought your house too, be grateful too.

Original poster

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 12:48

Just to add - I'd like to hear from sellers please! :-)

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Original poster

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 12:49

Honeyroar · 20/09/2023 12:43

Speak to your estate agent? I think you’d have to replace or give a little discount if it’s included. See if you can find a second hand dishwasher?

Exchange has already taken place. There is no giving a discount.

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NetballHoop · 20/09/2023 12:53

I'd get the estate agent to speak to the buyers. Offer to go halfs (or whatever) on a new dishwasher. That way you don't pay as much and they get a new machine rather than a patched up one.

Karmatime · 20/09/2023 12:59

It’s bad luck but I believe that legally it’s bad luck for the buyers if it happened post exchange as they are responsible for the property immediately after exchange which is why they need insurance from that point.
However if it were me I would let the agent know and offer a contribution towards either a fix or a new dishwasher. I wouldn’t get it fixed yourself for that sum as for all you know they may be planning to install a whole new kitchen.

whyisitallsohard · 20/09/2023 13:00

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 12:48

Just to add - I'd like to hear from sellers please! :-)

Why lol. I’m telling you that you will piss them off.

the new machine idea above could suffice but I’d want to pick it.

please otherwise, by all means piss them off.

Twiglets1 · 20/09/2023 13:03

The EA won’t be interested in this.

it’s a hard moral dilemma. You will absolutely get away with it if you do nothing and play dumb after moving out by saying it must have developed a fault after you last used it. Our sellers did this with our current house ( tumble drier) and we didn’t even try to do anything about it because it’s pointless once you’ve Completed. However, you will feel better about yourself if you fix it.

My honest answer is that these days I would fix it as I have more disposable income. But in my younger, poorer years I probably would have done nothing and saved the much needed cash. Morals are expensive but really, it’s up to you.

Original poster

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 13:04

Twiglets1 · 20/09/2023 13:03

The EA won’t be interested in this.

it’s a hard moral dilemma. You will absolutely get away with it if you do nothing and play dumb after moving out by saying it must have developed a fault after you last used it. Our sellers did this with our current house ( tumble drier) and we didn’t even try to do anything about it because it’s pointless once you’ve Completed. However, you will feel better about yourself if you fix it.

My honest answer is that these days I would fix it as I have more disposable income. But in my younger, poorer years I probably would have done nothing and saved the much needed cash. Morals are expensive but really, it’s up to you.

@Twiglets1 the repair person is now saying that the part is obsolete so that machine can't be fixed at all. Would you still not approach the EA and offer to go halves on a new one? I thought that was a sensible suggestion.

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Original poster

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 13:06

@Twiglets1 what about the solicitor - should I speak to them? I'm not actually clear on what the legal position is.

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PurpleBananaSmoothie · 20/09/2023 13:12

I’m selling at the minute and our house has picked up a few things that need fixing. We’re fixing them as much as we can. It’s annoying but when we bought this place the seller didn’t fix anything that broke after we’d put on offer in. I’ve spent a lot of time cursing him. You can get away with it, say it was working when you last used it but how would you feel if someone did that to you? If the machine has to be replaced, I’d offer to go halves on a basic replacement and then they can pick the model they want and pay for customisation.

MrHopsPortal · 20/09/2023 13:14

I'd probably leave the cash equivalent of a basic model in an envelope taped to the dishwasher with a note apologising that it has only just broken and leave it at that.

If you are completing next week there isn't that much more you can do.

Original poster

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 13:15

PurpleBananaSmoothie · 20/09/2023 13:12

I’m selling at the minute and our house has picked up a few things that need fixing. We’re fixing them as much as we can. It’s annoying but when we bought this place the seller didn’t fix anything that broke after we’d put on offer in. I’ve spent a lot of time cursing him. You can get away with it, say it was working when you last used it but how would you feel if someone did that to you? If the machine has to be replaced, I’d offer to go halves on a basic replacement and then they can pick the model they want and pay for customisation.

@PurpleBananaSmoothie it actually was done to me in my last flat - the dishwasher wasn't working when I moved in. It was a couple of years before I could afford to put in a new one (it also wasn't fixable). So I do know how it feels...

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SecondClassmyass · 20/09/2023 13:16

You know that if you leave it broken, dishwasher karma will catch you round the very next corner, right? Mark my words.

Original poster

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 13:20

SecondClassmyass · 20/09/2023 13:16

You know that if you leave it broken, dishwasher karma will catch you round the very next corner, right? Mark my words.

@SecondClassmyass I absolutely want to do the right thing and I'm trying to work out what that is. There is a balance! The dishwasher is a fancy one that I bought six years ago so it isn't a basic one. It cost £880 in October 2017.

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TerfTalking · 20/09/2023 13:25

You can get a basic integrated dishwasher for £239.00 on AO.com

unless you sold your flat with “kitchen includes Miele integrated appliances” I would just replace it.

it’s the decent thing.

Tasha1989 · 20/09/2023 13:26

It makes me happy that you’re trying to do the right thing even tho it happened to you and you don’t have loads of spare income 💛 people like you make the world a better place.

i like the practical suggestion of leaving cash to the value of a cheap one and an explanation that it broke, then they can choose what they purchase?

Original poster

Sweeno123 · 20/09/2023 13:32

Tasha1989 · 20/09/2023 13:26

It makes me happy that you’re trying to do the right thing even tho it happened to you and you don’t have loads of spare income 💛 people like you make the world a better place.

i like the practical suggestion of leaving cash to the value of a cheap one and an explanation that it broke, then they can choose what they purchase?

Thanks for your lovely message. :-)

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Twiglets1 · 20/09/2023 13:41

@Sweeno123 I wouldn't be saying anything negative to the EA or Solicitor or anyone at the moment. Though it is to your credit that you feel you should, even though you know there is no comeback if you don't.

Honestly, you have looked into getting it fixed and it can't be done. To me, that answers the question of whether you should get it fixed or not.

Save the money for your new house - there will very likely be something broken or in worse condition there too than you were led to believe!

puffylovett · 20/09/2023 13:45

I had this done to me too, was really looking forward to having a tumble dryer then it disappeared - and I had a ratty carpets too and all I got was an apology! And we helped them move too as she’d left it to the morning of to pack!!
I’d rather been told and offered half towards a new one. I think it’s really thoughtful of you.

Twiglets1 · 20/09/2023 13:53

I was looking forward to having a tumble drier too @puffylovett but I have to say, we got over the disappointment pretty fast.

We've moved 6 times and there always seems to be something that doesn't work or a fault that has been covered up.

ClematisBlue49 · 20/09/2023 14:04

I think if the Fittings & Contents form includes a dishwasher, then it's part of the contract, and I would replace it with a cheap one and leave a note saying that you have done this, and that the former one could not be fixed. I'd rather pay £240 than lose sleep over it. Plus, they may be more inclined to think favourably of you (and not sue you) if they find anything else that doesn't work.

Jan2468 · 20/09/2023 14:38

Hi this happened to me, but it was a washing machine in my case. I replaced it with a new one - but a smaller capacity/cheaper brand than the original. They were first time buyers and I also left lots of furniture too (checked they wanted it) at no extra charge as we were downsizing.

Twiglets1 · 20/09/2023 14:39

You can't be sued over a broken dishwasher @ClematisBlue49

No one can say for sure the exact day the dishwasher broke. Apart from @Sweeno123 ofc.

stealthninjamum · 20/09/2023 14:45

When I sold my flat the gas cooker broke just before I was due to move. We hadn’t exchanged but I had handed in forms saying that a cooker was included. Fortunately it was freestanding so easy to replace. I think morally you should replace it.