Selling a house with broken appliances in 2026

Can you sell a house with broken appliances?

Yes, you can sell a house with broken appliances – and many homeowners do. UK property sales are ultimately as-is unless otherwise negotiated, meaning buyers can purchase the property with full knowledge of any issues.

The key here is transparency. When you list your home, you’re required to complete the TA6 Property Information Form honestly. This includes declaring anything that’s broken or not in full working order. Hiding issues can come back to bite you later, so it’s always best to be upfront.

Some buyers (particularly investors, developers or cash buyers like House Buyer Bureau) expect work to be needed and may not be put off at all. Other buyers, like those who are buying the house to live in it, may try to negotiate a lower price to make up for the cost of repairs.

If you want to avoid the hassle altogether, we can buy your house quickly for cash, even if none of your appliances work! Get your no-obligation quote today.

How broken appliances can impact the price

While broken appliances won’t stop you from selling, they can influence the price your buyer is willing to pay. How much impact they have depends on:

• The importance of the appliance
  A broken boiler will have a bigger impact than a broken microwave. Essential systems are generally more expensive to repair or replace, and buyers will factor that into their offer.
• The seriousness of the issue
  A cracked oven door is minor, but a heating system that doesn’t work at all is much more significant.
• The type of buyer
  First-time buyers are generally quite cautious as they often don’t have spare money for repairs. Cash buyers, investors and renovators tend to be more flexible.
• The overall condition of the house
  If your property needs lots of different updates or fixes, buyers will see it as a “project” and expect a lower price. If everything else is immaculate, one faulty appliance may not make much difference.

In most cases, broken appliances reduce the sale price, but not always enough to justify rushing into expensive repairs. It’s often smarter to let the buyer factor the cost into their offer, especially if you’re trying to sell quickly.

What not to fix when selling a house

Sellers often assume they need to fix everything before going to market, but that’s rarely true. In fact, some repairs just aren’t worth the time, money or hassle.

• Minor cosmetic issues
  Scuffs, small cracks, worn paint… buyers expect a home to have been lived in. These won’t make or break a sale.
• Older but working appliances
  You don’t need to replace things just because they’re dated. As long as they function, leave them alone.
• Small, inexpensive appliances
  Kettles, microwaves or plug-in devices aren’t usually deal-breakers – particularly as you’ll be taking these with you in most cases.
• Repairs that won’t increase your sale price
  If fixing something costs more than the value it would add, it’s better left as-is.

If you’re unsure whether a repair is worth doing, ask yourself: “Will this significantly improve a buyer’s perception of my home?” If the answer is no, just ignore it.

And if you’d rather not do any repairs at all, you can always sell directly to a cash house-buying company like House Buyer Bureau, who will take the property in any condition.

Selling a house with broken appliances FAQs

Can you sell a house with a broken boiler?

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Yes, but a broken boiler can affect your price more than most appliances because it impacts the heating and hot water, which play a big part in comfort and daily routines. Some buyers may negotiate heavily, while others may not mind. Just be sure to declare it.

Do you have to fill holes when selling a house in the UK?

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No, not legally. Small nail or screw holes aren’t usually an issue. Larger holes, however, may make rooms look poorly maintained, so it can be worth filling them for cosmetic reasons – but it isn’t a requirement.

Can I sell a house with a broken shower?

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Yes. A broken shower won’t stop a sale, but buyers may view it as a necessary repair and adjust their offer. If the property only has one bathroom, the impact may be more noticeable.

Can you sell a house with a broken air conditioner?

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Many UK homes don’t have air conditioning, so a broken unit likely won’t be a major problem. However, if your property relies heavily on AC (e.g., a modern flat with integrated climate control), buyers might consider it an important repair.

Can you sell a house with a broken oven?

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Absolutely. Broken ovens are fairly inexpensive to repair or replace, so this usually has minimal impact on the sale price. Many buyers replace kitchen appliances to match their design preferences anyway.

Can you sell a house with a broken window?

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Yes, but broken windows can raise concerns about security and energy efficiency. Buyers may request a discount or ask for the pane to be replaced as part of negotiations. If it’s a major break, you might want to fix it anyway as a safety concern.

Can you sell a house with broken locks?

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Yes, but broken locks can be a red flag for buyers because they affect security. It’s usually best to repair or replace locks before selling, as it’s a quick, easy and cheap fix that reassures potential buyers.

Selling your house quickly with House Buyer Bureau

If you don’t want to bother with the hassle of repairing or replacing your broken appliances, you can sell to us in as little as 7 days and with no need for any reparative work. Get in touch with our friendly team today to see how we could help you.