Sold our house and ice maker isn't working

[Anonymous]

We have a 20 year old Subzero that has had every major part replaced except the ice maker. It still makes good ice but there is a huge chunk of melted-together ice that needs to be removed once a day or the bin overflows. When the main unit dies, we’ll replace it with one without an in-door dispenser. We love having an ice maker.

[Anonymous]

OP if the ice maker broke during the rent back period, it isn't clear to me that this is the case, then it is actually the buyer who needs to fix it. Once the buyer closes on the house they are your landlord and are responsible for the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just call an appliance repair handyman. Shouldn't cost more than a couple hundred to fix, if that.

Good one. We have a 3 year old Kitchen Aid fridge and we have been trying to get the ice maker fixed since January with no real luck. The factory repairman has been out 4 times so far and has replaced 2 different parts and it still doesn't really work. Each time they order a new part it takes 8-10 weeks to get the part in as well. Something is wrong with the electronics and so far they have replaced the power supply board, and the main CPU board.

CPU? You all have some fancy ice makers. Pretty sure mine consists of a powered mechanical switch, a water tube, and a lever bar.

At any rate, I agree with all the folks saying to write the buyers a modest check ($200) at closing, assuming it still isn't fixed. The suggestion that the buyers are owed a new fridge is ridiculous.

All newer appliances have way too many electronics in them. Our ice maker actually does work sometimes, but the computer that controls it locks up or something where it stops working for weeks at a time. If I remove power from the fridge, it will sometimes start working again, but that is hit or miss. This is a tough problem for the repair guy to solve because when he puts the ice maker into "test mode" and forces it to operate it works.

[Anonymous]

our ice maker broke two day before listing our house. We opted to get it fixed--which turned out to be 700$ but still less expensive than new fridge, although not by much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For this sort of thing just write a check for like $150 at closing.

$150

that doesn't being to pay for the fridge issue. As the buyer i would demand the value of a new fridge, it's clear the current one is past it's life expectancy.

OP write a check for $500.

The current fridge is only 4 years old. Call appliance repair to fix it. Probably will cost at least $300.

[Anonymous]

In this market the buyer shouldn't raise a fuss, and if they do, require the buyer to present a new contract. The new contract voids the current contract, the buyer no longer has a house.

[Anonymous]

OP here. I received an email today confirming shipping of the part. I spoke to someone yesterday and they said not to expect it to ship until at least the 17th. Not sure what happend, but I'm glad the part is on the way.

[Anonymous]

This is not a big deal OP. Offer money for the repair and leave the part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I received an email today confirming shipping of the part. I spoke to someone yesterday and they said not to expect it to ship until at least the 17th. Not sure what happend, but I'm glad the part is on the way.

Not a big deal! But it's really cool that you're trying to fix it instead of puffing yourself about "in this market!!!". Things seem to be going to some PP heads.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In this market the buyer shouldn't raise a fuss, and if they do, require the buyer to present a new contract. The new contract voids the current contract, the buyer no longer has a house.

People. The house has sold already. OP is not getting a new contract or a new buyer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:In this market the buyer shouldn't raise a fuss, and if they do, require the buyer to present a new contract. The new contract voids the current contract, the buyer no longer has a house.

People. The house has sold already. OP is not getting a new contract or a new buyer.

Right???? I do not understand why this is so hard to comprehend. The seller being in power is not a thing once the contract was signed and CLOSED ON. l

[Anonymous]

You guys are renters now, call the landlord to fix it. Or just put some ice in there and move out when your lease is up. Worse case, just split it with the new owner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You guys are renters now, call the landlord to fix it. Or just put some ice in there and move out when your lease is up. Worse case, just split it with the new owner.

Have to check the agreement. The rent back provisions may have stated that the renters have to take care of the fixing and repairs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Instead of doing this, you should talk to the buyers.

This. Just tell them that the ice maker broke, that you have parts on the way to fix it, and ask what they want to do about it. Maybe they'll just want enough money for the repair once the part comes in, maybe they'll want money toward replacing the fridge (though that seems over the top for an easily fixed fridge component), or maybe they won't even care at this point. No one—not you, not the buyers—is going to let the sale fall through over a broken ice maker.

This. Since the sale already happened, obviously it’s not going to fall through, just tell them that the icemaker broke during the rentback, you have parts on the way to fix it, and see what everyone agrees to do about it. That’s what the escrow on your rentback is for.

OP never said the house sold. Said it broke when they signed the listing agreement. Is the house even on the market? OP, just get it fixed before listing. Or before closing. This isn't rocket science.

We just sold and are renting back. Our dishwasher door broke while we were under contract prior to closing. We paid to have it fixed. Now that we're renting back, anything that breaks is on the new owners.

OP never said they were in a rent back.
Reading comprehension. You have a lot of details wrong.

OP said that they sold the house, and they are currently in a rent-back. The rent back ends at the end of the month (I presume end of June). They assumed that they would have the broken icemaker fixed before they left, but they have had two visits, one replaced some components, but still didn't fix the problem so more parts are on order that will not be in before they leave their rent-back. They don't know if the replacement components will fix the issue since they won't be in the house any more.

OP--you should talk to the buyers and see what they want done. Will they be okay with the repairment coming to replace the parts that have been ordered and you paying for the repair or would they rather have you write a check that can be applied towards a replacement fridge. Then negotiate the price.

But rather than crowd-sourcing, you should just talk to the buyers. If this was pre-listing, then crowd-sourcing ideas to see what seems to be the most popular is appropriate since you are trying to satisfy the biggest potential audience of buyers. But here, you only have and audience of one, the people who actually bought your house. Talk to them and negotiate a deal.

[Anonymous]

Lol all this for an ice maker.
When we bought our house 5 years ago, the water line had never been connected to the fridge to make ice.
We didn’t have money to spend on plumbers, so we just left it that way.
When we recently listed our house, our agent asked if the ice maker worked. I told her it wasn’t hooked up. She was like “ok but does it work?” As far as I know, it does. I don’t even remember what went into the listing, but it wasn’t an issue. Is it such a big deal to make ice in ice trays? I didn’t know that was something only poor people do...