What to do about gas oven (difficult buyer)

Help1234

@lookstraightahead It works just fine it just feels like you need to open and close the door carefully as the glass isn’t very secure. I already paid £50 to get the handle sorted, I could have just left that. If I had more time I would try and get the glass issue resolved too.

Throwing toys out the pram in terms of trying to get thousands removed from the agreed price even though the valuation was the agreed price; extracting money from us before they would agree on an exchange date having threatened to
delay exchange and complete.

MalMonroe

Help1234 said:

Hi we are selling our house and have had a buyer that has thrown his toys out the pram on a couple of occasions. We put in the inventory that we would leave our gas range oven for free. However it is past it’s best as recent the handle came off. We got someone in to fix it today but in the process they broke two of the clips holding the glass in place on the inside of the oven. The glass is now where it should be but only being held on tentatively. It doesn’t fall off but it doesn’t feel secure. Aside from this the oven works well (hob and two ovens), just need to be careful opening and closing the door due to the glass.

Should I tell the buyer about this? Should I now offer to have the oven removed? The only issue is I’m not sure we will be able to get a gas man in in time, they would basically need to come tomorrow. Are there any repercussions for me not removing the oven or declaring this now to the buyer?

You sound like a really nice person. 

And having said that, I know you will definitely want tell the buyer. Especially as you say the glass on the inside of the oven doesn't feel secure - ergo, it could come out and cause not only damage but also injury. (I'd have asked the person who broke the clips to put the problem right before they left, btw.)

Just because the buyers have had a tantrum or two doesn't mean that it's okay to leave them an oven in a dangerous condition - and it appears that that is what you are desperately trying to avoid. I wouldn't offer to remove the oven though.

The repercussions are that the buyer may end up without anywhere to cook a meal. Or they will try to use the oven, the glass will fall out and break a few bones or cut their feet. Or hands, or both.

Be honest and up front. These things often happen with house buying and selling. I once bought a house where the seller said she'd leave the built in oven. She left the hobs but not the oven. What a shock when I went into the kitchen and there was a gaping hole where the oven should have been. Our microwave was used a lot for a little while. People manage, they get over it. 

There is a problem with the oven. If you are unable to get it fixed then please do tell the buyer. You're not supposed to hide things like this from buyers anyway. Think how you'd feel if you were in their position. And how your bank account will feel when they've claimed compensation.

Sanctioned_Parts_List

Unless it's actually dangerous, then just leave it. You're complying with the letter of the inventory, which said "range," not "pristine range."

JGB1955

I think I might put a note in the kitchen saying 'Range oven needs new clips - available from www.**** at £50p each'.

Help1234

The annoying thing is we wanted the guy to fix it who fixed the handle but he said it was not possible. That we would have to order the parts from the manufacturer and couldn’t just pick them up from B&Q 😞

mrschaucer

Do what most people do and write a list of useful stuff for the new buyer to read when they move in.  Where the stopthingy is, the rad valve that sticks, that sort of thing.  (Other people DO do this, don't they?)  
On the list, add that the glass in the oven is a bit dicky and if they are planning on keeping it they might like to consider new clips.  Job jobbed.

bbat

My vendor left me cash to have the oven taken away as I said I didnt want it ans they hadn't organised it themselves. 

onylon

This really doesn't sound like a big job to fix but it's annoying to be without an oven. Could you order the clips from the manufacturer so that the new owner can get it fixed asap?

md258

I'd leave a note saying that the glass in the door is loose (or whatever) so they know before they use it. Any other quirks of the house would be nice to be left too- ours said that hot water in the kitchen takes a while to come through (it takes over 2 mins!) but knowing that meant that we knew it was just how it was

BikingBud

Help1234 said:

The annoying thing is we wanted the guy to fix it who fixed the handle but he said it was not possible. That we would have to order the parts from the manufacturer and couldn’t just pick them up from B&Q 😞

So why didn't he? Could have advised the buyer and explained that they will be changed once they come in.