Pre-exchange, told fitted oven and dishwasher don't work

HornetSaver

Title pretty much says it all, except to add that I'm a first-time buyer and that while I can live without a dishwasher for an extended period of time, a working cooker is an absolute must.

Short story: I was buying this property on the basis that the kitchen doesn't need anything done to it, but with a lot of money earmarked for other parts of the house which I either know need work done, or anticipate needing to take a hit on.

Longer part of story: All of the cosmetic stuff which eventually needs doing (including laminate flooring, plastering and tiling) I can do myself, and I have family member who has agreed to support me with the plumbing in the bathroom at mate's rates, therefore getting a property like this as my first home made sense.

The prospect of buying a new cooker of a very specific size, installation costs, having to take time off on the day of installation and going a few weeks without a cooker at all, not to mention the risk of damage to an otherwise good kitchen, while seemingly small in the scope of things to worry about when buying a house, is something of a blast from left-field. The dishwasher as I mention above I really don't care about. I would have used it if it worked. The fact that it doesn't work simply means that it will sit there broken for cosmetic reasons.

From a legal standpoint I understand exactly where I am with the cooker - if I exchange with that information - or indeed, in any case - and without doing anything to satisfy myself about their condition or to be compensated accordingly, then it's buyer beware.

From a practical standpoint, any advice on the best way of proceeding to try and minimise or eliminate the hit?

My initial thinking was to hope that something else comes up in my survey with which I can negotiate the price down, incorporating the cost of sorting this out. This doesn't however solve my major concern, which is that even if I get a better discount than the cost of the things identified, that price in cash/equivalent would be more valuable to me than getting a couple of grand off of my mortgage, as the costs of this (and whatever I try to use within the survey to get the price down) will be front-loaded.

But I'm unsure on the alternatives?

Based on discussions to date I'm almost certain that rectification will not be agreed to. I will attempt it as I'd be foolish not to. It is the obvious solution. But for reasons I won't disclose I'm 99% sure that the property price is the only means of negotiation.

This seems to leave dipping into a chunk of my post-startup emergency fund. Which, while big enough to meet four months' worth of mortgage and bills, is earmarked for the quite significant possibility of needing a new boiler before long.

The only other strategy I can think of is to accept that I'm taking the financial hit, and to stomach this by trying to delay the completion date. While my income will be higher than my expenditure after completion, the amount I can put away per month is drastically higher right now. My question if I go down this route, is how normal it is to put a significant amount of time between exchange and completion?

anselld

Built in ovens are one of very few standard sizes which will become obvious with a tape measure. You can buy a replacement from a supplier who will include installation and removal of the old appliance.

A few hundred quid max. You can either swallow the cost or try to negotiate a reduction.

Integrated dishwasher is a bit more difficult but as you say not urgent. Probably worth including in any negotiation though as the vendors don't know it is unimportant to you.

worried_jim

What's wrong with it? Normally they are just the heating element and can be changed with just a screwdriver in two mins and cost about £16 from e spares. I've done two in 14 years.

http://www.espares.co.uk/browse/at1092/cookers-and-hobs

Davesnave

We had this happen. £40 got us another oven from Gumtree that fitted into the space. It took about 30 minutes to fathom out how to do it and complete the job.

You might be happy to put a 'significant amount of time between exchange and completion,' but what about others involved? Surely the whole transaction isn't going to revolve around a faulty oven?

Looks like typical FTB nerves from here. At least your seller told you. Others haven't been so lucky!

bouicca21

This is not a blast from left field, it's at worst a soft breeze. Either might be repairable, they are almost certainly standard sizes and easily replaceable. Suck it up.

comeandgo

It's not difficult to change ovens. I take it you will still have the hob working so surely you can cope a few weeks without an oven? Casseroles and soups. Ovens come in two sizes I think and are either built in or built under. My husband took our old one out and put new one in. No mess or fittings broken.

jimbog

You don't need a new cooker. Repairing the old one is something you can do yourself or get someone in to do it - £100 max?

DaftyDuck

I'd be willing to bet there's a fair chance that you could buy a direct replacement, same make, same model, second hand if necessary. Cost will depend on quality but, from the fact so much other work needs doing, I doubt it's top of the range and newish .

Fact you were informed may indicate a decent, honest seller. Ask for £200 for both problems, or just get on with it. Both items are easily sourced and sorted.

Marvel1

Find out what what is wrong the oven, mine didn't work due to heating element being broke, part ordered and installed, working again.

Fosterdog

If it is just you to cook for between the hob and a table top oven for £50 http://www.argos.co.uk/product/7249527
That would at least keep you going for a while until you can replace the oven.

eddddy

If finances are tight, maybe investigate getting a countertop combi microwave with a convection oven and grill, until you have funds to replace the main oven.

They cost about £100 - or less on ebay, gumtree.

TBH, a couple of small households I know have practically stopped using their main oven, because the combi oven is so much more convenient. The convection oven function roasts and bakes fine.