An I being unreasonable to even ask our buyer this?

[hooliodancer]

We have a buyer for our house. For background- We got a higher offer, but chose this offer because she was in a better position. We said there was a bit of work to do which would show up on the survey, about 3k, we wouldn't knock off the price as we had accepted a lower offer. She was really delighted when we accepted her offer as she really really loves the house. She was even more delighted when, in the second viewing, we showed her a second, very large garden (which we rent from a farmer for a peppercorn rent) that the agent had forgotten to show her!

So the thing I want to ask her... We have a sink vanity freestanding unit thing in our bathroom that cost 3k. It matches our bathroom cabinet, which was 1k. I bought them because I thought we would never move, and because the bathroom is very small- the size of an en suite really.

I want to ask her if I can take the vanity unit and replace it with a very similar one from Victoria Plum. We are taking the cabinet anyway, it's on the form that it's not included. So her bathroom cabinet won't match the vanity unit anyway.

Am I being cheeky? She hasn't mentioned she likes it or anything, and it isnt named in the details. I thought I could say I am just asking in case she doesn't really like it but am happy to leave it.

The house is a tiny cottage, I know I overspent on the bathroom, it was a little inheritance I had and I wanted a bit of luxury!

[Liara]

No, I don't think you are being unreasonable to ask.

[GiddyOnZackHunt]

You can ask. I'd possibly be a little surprised but you could offer her a choice of styles in your budget to sweeten the deal?

[user12785]

If it's freestanding then you can just take it, unless you have declared that it will be staying. And you don't need to ask her, it replace it.

[Floggingmolly]

If it's not actually part of the fixtures and fittings; of course you can take it with you. You don't have to replace it either. They wouldn't expect to find your bed still in the bedroom because it was there at the viewing, would they?
Some people take the bloody light bulbs!

[user12785]

or replace it.

[toobusytothink]

Have you completed the fixtures and fittings form yet? If not, just make a note of it on there and if they come back and complain then you can negotiate. Anything freestanding isn't normally included. Our seller even tried to take the oven, but we complained and he relented.

[RNBrie]

You don't even need to replace it if you haven't declared that it's staying, but it would be nice to.

I'd probably tell her I was taking it and then ask if she wants me to replace it with a generic one or prefer to leave it for her to sort it out when she moves in.

[Floggingmolly]

Why would it be nice to replace it? It would probably be nice to leave the dining room table as well, but who would dream of doing that?

[Kidnapped]

I would replace with something similar and say nothing. As you say, if you are taking the other cabinet anyway, then it makes sense for you to take the matching vanity unit. Otherwise you are both left with half of a set.

Make sure that it is halfway decent quality and is fitted well.

If it says something like "ceramic sink and grey vanity unit" on the details and you are leaving a ceramic sink and grey vanity unit then I think it is fine.

She probably won't remember anyway.

[CotswoldStrife]

Presumably it has a sink in it and is plumbed in - I'd expect that to be a fixture and fitting so I would point out that you are going to replace it (and the cupboard). Have you mentioned this to your conveyancer?

[YelloDraw]

Kidnapped +1

[hooliodancer]

Yes, the sink is plumbed in. I haven't said anything to the conveyancer, I was going to ask her directly.

The one I have seen is the same colour.

[milkysmum]

Gosh I would just take it if were free standing and not even give it a second thought to be honest

[d270r0]

Strictly if it is plumbed in it is part of the fixtures and fittings and would be expected to be left. Yes you can ask her but she would be within her rihts to ask for a reduction on the price of the house, and rightly so.

[hooliodancer]

Would the cabinet be seen as fixtures and fittings then? It's just a bathroom cupboard with a mirror. We have another cupboard in there too, which we are also taking.

I want to ask because I want it! But also what if she doesn't like it and is planning on replacing it anyway. My friend sold a house with a brand new handmade kitchen in, and drove past the following week to see it in a skip!

[MistresssIggi]

You should have said it was going before you agreed a price. I can understand you wanting it but really you have sold it.

[MistresssIggi]

Shelves are meant to be left so I'd assume a cupboard on the wall is too.

[hooliodancer]

Really? I have lots of cupboards on walls- not fitted, all old pine but screwed to the wall. Are they meant to be left? We have a fitted kitchen- obviously that stays. But not the antique pine cupboard on the wall?

[MistresssIggi]

I really don't know. My understanding was always - freestanding bookcase = take, bookshelves wall mounted = leave. I can picture wall mounted cupboards other than kitchen and bathroom ones. I think you should discuss with your solicitor.

[ijustwannadance]

If it's freestanding then it's yours to take unless you have said otherwise.

If you do ask her, don't tell her it cost 3k!

[SpookyMooky]

Just specify you'll be taking it on the fixtures and fittings list - this is exactly what it's for.

Our last sellers took all the curtain rails and swapped all the light fittings for single pendants. I can't imagine you're obliged to leave a bathroom cabinet more than blummin' curtain rails!

The vanit unit does sound borderline - the plumbing does make it sound "less freestanding" but washing machines and dishwashers are also plumbed in and it's acceptable to take those. Also I'd think it was reasonable for the buyer to expect a functional sink. You could offer to replace the unit with a basic sink for free or the VP one for a small fee. But I think the F&F list is the best place to tackle it, if poss.

[Frolics82]

I think it's a bit unfair to ask. You're basically looking to downgrade the bathroom once the price for the house has been agreed.

[VenusRising]

Replace it hoolidancer. Say it broke as you were moving if she notices.

Say nothing if she doesn't mention it.

It's not like you're leaving dangling pipes and a "fuck you" skiddy turd in the loo.
You'll be leaving her a brand new sink and vanity unit, just not the one she saw, but almost the same.

Don't sweat the small stuff and good luck with your move.

[FunSponge82]

If it's freestanding it's yours to take. I wouldn't have even thought to replace it
Just list it on the fixtures and fittings sheet and if it doesn't get brought up then you take it as she doesn't want it anyway