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Property/DIY

Sold my house - curtains??

26 replies

twosoups · 30/11/2010 20:19

We've accepted an offer on our house and I've received one of those forms from the solicitor to indicate what fixtures and fittings we are leaving.

We accepted the buyer's first offer because it was what we were hoping to achieve for the property. I guess we could have held out for more but we didn't see the need.

Anyway - curtains! Our new house has completely different sized windows and with the exception of two sets (which could be shortened), none of our current window coverings are transferrable to the new house. It seems churlish to remove them when we can't use them, but at the same time, they were faily expensive and all made to measure.

Because we accepted the first offer, we have an inkling that the buyers are able to find the funds to pay for the curtains, if they want them.

Do I charge them or just leave them? HOw do I know what to charge? For example, we have some Hilary's blinds in the family room that came to £550 (5 years ago). I wouldn't have the foggiest what to ask.

Any opinions?

OP posts:

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rubyslippers · 30/11/2010 20:21

Just leave them

You wont get a lot of money for them

Or ask for £50 or something

You cant use them and would be a nice goodwill gesture

KristinaM · 30/11/2010 20:23

you need to check whether or not they are included in the offer

if not, and you want to sell them , then just ask if they would like them and negotiate a price. you'll be lucky if you get more than a few hundred ££ unless they are exceptional curtains

and congrats on selling your house

twosoups · 30/11/2010 20:24

Yes that's sort of my thought on it but DH doesn't agree

OP posts:

twosoups · 30/11/2010 20:25

They are all John Lewis/Laura Ashley or Hillary's. Hence £££ to begin with but yes, I probably can't ask much for them and certainly can't use them.

OP posts:

EdgarAllenSnow · 30/11/2010 20:25

wait until the survey is in. if they ask for money off after the survey, point out that you don't have to leave the curtains. other than that don't commit to leaving them, but if no further reduction is asked for - leave them anyway.

even if they will change them, its very convenient for them to move into a house with the basic fittings.

Geepers · 30/11/2010 20:28

I'd leave them. We have never taken window fittings/curtains from any of the houses we have lived in.

rubyslippers · 30/11/2010 20:29

Honestly you will never get the price you want

Simbacatlives · 30/11/2010 20:31

If they are blinds very little resale value as madecto measure but 2nd hand curtains sell very well on ebay.

Make them an offer. I took my blinds as they wouldn't pay the very reasonable amount I asked- almost new laura Ashley- I included some .

They called 3 weeks later- changed mind and wanted to buy the lot- guess they were surprised at how much they cost when they went to get some.

spidookly · 30/11/2010 20:32

I'd leave them.

And if someone tried to charge me for them I'd just tell them to take them.

TheNextMrsDepp · 30/11/2010 20:32

They are usually not included as part of the "fixtures & fittings". I would mention to the buyer (via the agent) that you are happy to "sell" them the curtains at price x to be agreed - this transaction then takes place outside the main purchase. It can be noted as such on any forms.

If they don't want them, then you can take/leave/sell them whatever, but usually people are happy to buy curtains as it's one less thing to worry about when they move in. And it's nice for you to get a bit of money back!

It doesn't just work for curtains - I bought a flat a few years back and agreed to buy the bed - it was so huge they would have had trouble getting it out of the flat anyway. And when we sold our most recent house we left the garden furniture, under a similar arrangement.

eviscerateyourmemory · 30/11/2010 20:34

I dont think that you would get much for the curtains - even if they were expensive ther is no guarantee that the new buyers will like them.

If it is a whole house of good quality curtains I think that £200-300 would probably be the top end.

Or you could try asking the buyers what they would be willing to pay and then try to negotiate upwards if you felt OK about that.

TheNextMrsDepp · 30/11/2010 20:34

OP you talk about churlish - people have been known to take out lightbulbs, dig shrubs out of gardens etc. Now that's churlish!!

thisisyesterday · 30/11/2010 20:35

yep i would ask if they want to buy them for a reasonable price

if they don't then put them on ebay, they go for good money on there

spidookly · 30/11/2010 20:36

Yes, people can be real assholes when they leave a house - taking things they can't reuse just to be awkward.

sooz28 · 30/11/2010 20:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EdgarAllenSnow · 30/11/2010 21:00

sooz28 - it would cost at least £50 to transport the thing...although i think it should just unbolt from the floor - it won't cost £500 to remove.

unbelieveably mean though, as people wpuldn't normally remove the heating system!

thisisyesterday · 30/11/2010 21:02

sooz, if i were them i would threaten to pull out!

i would point out that they have offered on a house that has heating. and if the house now has no heating then they will either offer less or pull out!

play them at their own game

TheNextMrsDepp · 30/11/2010 21:02

I'm surprised they're allowed to take a stove - surely it's considered fixtures and fittings. They should ask their solicitor.

sooz28 · 30/11/2010 21:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

spiralqueen · 30/11/2010 21:59

Churlish = vendors who include curtains in the fixtures and fittings then realise how much new curtains will cost in their new property so decide to leave the curtains but take the matching tiebacks and curtain poles

ChippingIn · 30/11/2010 23:01

I think it's a bit petty when you have sold a house to quibble about a little money for the curtains - but I spent a lot of time living overseas where they are considered part of the house and not ever taken (unless it's in the sale details).

I would keep it up my sleeve for anytime they are being a bit awkward!

twosoups · 01/12/2010 00:14

I think we spent £2000 in total and that's what it would cost to replace them.

But it doesn't sit well with me. Lovely house, really nice buyers, give them a break, I think!

Perhaps being too nice. DH thinks so. Glad some of you agree to leave them!

OP posts:

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gingerwig · 01/12/2010 00:17

Leave them.
And a bottle of champagne.
Creates good karma!

Fiddledee · 01/12/2010 08:17

I had spent a similar amount on curtains on one of the properties I sold. I asked for £500 and got it. If you don't ask you don't get. Moving into a place with no curtains is a real pain as it takes weeks to have them made up and ordered. I would definitely ask as they are often not free.

Are you getting curtains in your new house - even badly fitting curtains are better than none and I would take your exisiting ones with you.

scaryteacher · 01/12/2010 13:02

My vendors took the woodburner - no hassle, just lifted it out of the fireplace. I was glad they took it as it was tiny, so there was room for the somewhat larger one we bought.

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