Aircon, Dishwasher Not Working Properly after Moving in Post Property Settlement. How Would You Check Beforehand?

tomleonhart on 25/07/2018 - 08:38
Last edited 25/07/2018 - 10:31 by 2 other users

My brother in law bought a house recently. On the day that they moved in, they discovered that:

  • the Dishwasher doesn't drain properly after the washing cycle. (water is still filled up half of the unit after the washing cycle finishes)
  • the Aircon don't have any hot/cold air coming out of it. and it's the central style unit.

The house isn't cheap so we thought we'll contact the agent to see if anything he can offer. They contacted the agent and naturally they said the deal is settled so tough luck.

I did the final inspection with them and we did turn on everything to ensure they work. Well, the aircon and dishwasher did turn on.

I know they don't mind paying for someone to fix it since they are quite well off. But to my OzBargainer mind, that's money that could have been saved! A plumber and aircon technician alone would cost close to 1k on labour alone.

So my question is, how would you as a buyer detect these kind of minor issue?

The aircon was our fault for not noticing the temperature of the air.

But for the dishwasher , we would have to wait 1-1.5 hours for the cycle to finish to find out (who does that in an inspection anyway?) or we just accept it's a risk of the process?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Nugs on 25/07/2018 - 08:43

    did you pay for a building inspection?

    of course they vary in 'depth of analysis' too.

    the dishwasher one would be unlikely to be picked up, air con definitely would have been.

    the inspector we used for our current house even tested that the induction hot plates worked (used the shovel for fireplace).

    .

  • Seedy seed on 25/07/2018 - 08:43

    Dish washer isnt draining, is the machine blocked? Os the hose blocked? Is the part the hose connects to the pipe blocked inside the pipe?

    I had the last one, used a coat hanger to unblock it.

    If its not one of them its likely the pump.

    As for the aircon get the guy out, it might just need a regas as it has a leak.

  • JimmyF on 25/07/2018 - 08:50
    +1

    Well, the aircon and dishwasher did turn on.

    But did you check the dishwasher was draining?

    Did you check the AC was providing cold/hot air?

    how would you as a buyer detect these kind of minor issue?

    The dishwasher you can't really, but a dishwasher isn't the end of the world…. $800-1.5k for a decent replacement unit. Just live with the risk.

    The aircon as you said is your fault for not noticing the temperature of the air and thats what you need to check.

    or we just accept it's a risk of the process?

    Yep

    They contacted the agent and naturally they said the deal is settled so tough luck.

    The contract will say 'sold as is'.

  • Randxyz123 on 25/07/2018 - 09:15

    Surely you turned on the a/c , did the rest of the inspection and came back to check if the air was cool?

    Regardless the contract will say “as is”

  • GG57 on 25/07/2018 - 09:40
    +1

    Agree with the earlier comments; you/they availed of the opportunity to conduct a pre-settlement inspection and chose to settle on the purchase. Done deal.

  • akd on 25/07/2018 - 09:53

    It depends on the life of the equipment also. When we bought house, Agent told us that the heating unit and water unit were serviced. After one year both started giving problems. I called for service and the technician mentioned that since the units are 10+ year old, so better replace them with new units.
    So check for the life of units - it may be old enough to replace.
    If they are new, get serviced. There is a gamble in old houses for appliances.

  • HighAndDry on 25/07/2018 - 10:04
    +2

    Just have to really accept the risk. That, or have your solicitor add a clause saying something like "The vendor warrants that all inclusions are in working order."

  • GourmetFoodie on 25/07/2018 - 11:59

    It's really hard to check everything. I know my parents bought a house once and the dishwasher didn't work at all! Unfortunately the risk with any property that isn't brand new :(

  • bigticket on 25/07/2018 - 12:28
    +2

    A/C - As soon as you start the inspection leave in on for 10 minutes and check.

    Dishwasher - Most have a prewash cycle that runs for less than 10 minutes. This isn't a thorough inspection, but will at least check the mains pressure valve(filling) and the drainage(pump). Also checks for any unusual washing cycle noises and smells.

  • Taita on 25/07/2018 - 13:33

    Happened to us too. When we bought our house we saw the dishwasher in the kitchen and the ac in the lounge. Didn't think there was a need to turn it on to check. When we moved in, found the ac didn't even work and the dishwasher was a broken machine what was not even connected at the back :/

  • Quantumcat on 25/07/2018 - 13:51

    In my house which I bought last year, it turned out the gas heater was an old model which was recalled in the 90s, was dangerous and didn't work anyway. I just replaced it.

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