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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Angry at house seller?

718 replies

perfectpotato · 18/10/2025 17:17

Had our offer accepted, in the middle of the legal process and we’ve had got the fixtures and fittings form from the vendors.

They are taking with them all the column radiators (will be replacing with basic ones), all light fixtures - they had these beautiful sconce marble light fixtures that they will be taking and they are have a fixed mirror in the bathroom, has Bluetooth and different lighting and they are taking that too.

My partner doesn’t seem bothered but I’m really upset, Aibu?

OP posts:
PrincessofWells · 18/10/2025 18:47

BlackCountryWench2 · 18/10/2025 18:35

The standard fixtures and fittings list from the solicitor is a give away. Ours listed light fittings as standard but not radiators, as it’s not usual for them to be included. I’m moving and I’m also gutted about leaving our column radiators, but to be fair they are so heavy (one took four men to lift) that the effort of taking them out isn’t worth it.

This is not the case! The TA10 is the list to which you refer and it also includes roof insulation, boiler, immersion heater etc. Unless you are suggesting its usual for these to be removed . . .
The purpose of the TA10 is to to ensure absolute clarity and unambiguity in the draft contract so that all parties are absolutely certain what is and is not included in the sale.

SpaceRaccoon · 18/10/2025 18:45

When you offer on a house, you've likely taken into account size, location, condition and decorative finish. Replacing styling radiators will cheap basic ones should therefore warrant a lower sale price adjusted to reflect.

I'd also be very concerned about the level of care used to install them - possible leaks, decorative damage etc.

In short I'd not be at all happy with this and I'd consider pulling out of the purchase.

tomorrowtoblerone · 18/10/2025 18:44

YANBU taking radiators is really weird. Would you even get to see what they were being replaced with? it could lead to redecorating being needed. And it's very stingy and out of order. I'd consider pulling out over it.

Theroadt · 18/10/2025 18:42

perfectpotato · 18/10/2025 17:25

Because they are fixtures - who takes radiators with them?

If it were my purchase, I’d get solicitor to kick up about the radiators. If you’ve had your survey done then it won’t include the new radiators, so take that line. Leave the other items and let them take.

Illdoittommorow · 18/10/2025 18:41

We researched this when our daughter was buying a property and had similar issue. Apparently a fixture and fitting is easily defined as something that would stay in place if the house was turned upside down!

Mygosh · 18/10/2025 18:39

That's a bit odd. I understand the mirror but are they going to repair and paint the areas that are left when they remove the radiators and light fittings? If it's a paint that is no longer available it's going to look awful.

Have a chuckle to yourself that radiators that are removed after being in use tend to rust VERY fast. Imagine them fitting these in another home and leaks appearing everywhere 😂😂

PrincessofWells · 18/10/2025 18:39

FrodoBiggins · 18/10/2025 18:29

Ok I had a bookshelf which was screwed to the wall to stop it falling forward, should that have been included?

Fwiw I think it's really odd to take the radiators but I also think you shouldn't give legal advice and then just make stuff up

Your bookcase is a chattel not a fixture. A radiator is a fixture. This is all basic conveyancing stuff, and I'm very surprised you don't know this.

Theroadt · 18/10/2025 18:39

I don’t think it’s normal to take the rads and that would annoy me, but everything else fine

AlexisP90 · 18/10/2025 18:38

Radiators is a bit weird... but I guess if they are replacing them then... I would just kind of accept it.

Youre really only buying the house so any fixtures and fittings are extra and shouldn't just be expected

Irritatedandsad · 18/10/2025 18:38

The mirror, we got a huge blue tooth, light up one and it was from amazon, it looks fitted but it isn't really. They arent much money in the scheme of house purchasing. So I wouldnt be bothered about the mirror.
Radiators is weird.

pinkyredrose · 18/10/2025 18:38

perfectpotato · 18/10/2025 17:25

Because they are fixtures - who takes radiators with them?

They're taking the radiators they paid a lot of money for and replacing them, you still have radiators.

Of course they're taking the marble fittings etc, those things cost a fortune and they want them in thier new house. Buy your own if you're that bothered.

Have you ever bought a house before? There's no need for anger here, the only appropriate anger would be from the sellers if you ask them to leave their expensive fixtures behind just because you like them.

Maverick66 · 18/10/2025 18:37

Radiators are fixtures and fittings as are light fittings and bathroom mirror.
Strongly object they are chancing their arm. Fixtures and fittings are classed as anything that remains in place if house was turned up side down.
What happens if they damage walls etc when removing said fixtures .who is responsible for fixing?

OooPourUsACupLove · 18/10/2025 18:37

Assuming you are in England, Wales or NI, an offer made and accepted is not binding on either party until exchange.

You make an offer based on what you think the house is worth given what you believe you would be getting based on the viewing(s) you have done.

Then the period between offer accepted and exchange is for you to gather as much information as you can about what you would actually be getting, including clarifying exactly what the sellers plan to remove.

So take the "should" out of it. Take the emotion out of it. Maybe they should leave the rads and maybe they shouldn't, but since you have not legally committed to anything yet this is just a pricing discussion.

All that really matters pre-exchange is whether more accurate information about what you will be buying changes what you think the house is worth.

If it does, you make a new offer. They will either accept it or not.

"We assumed the rads would be left and the house required very little decorative work and that is reflected in our original offer. As that is not the case we are changing our offer to X to reflect the cost and time of buying and installing replacements, the risk of finding good contractors for the work and possibility the cost, time and risk of redecorating after."

If they don't accept it but still plan to take the rads, it is then with you to decide whether the house is still the one you want at a price you are prepared to pay.

This isn't throwing your toys out of the pram; literally the whole point of gettiing this info from the seller before the sale is finalised is so that you can resolve any misapprehensions about what is included.

BlackCountryWench2 · 18/10/2025 18:35

The standard fixtures and fittings list from the solicitor is a give away. Ours listed light fittings as standard but not radiators, as it’s not usual for them to be included. I’m moving and I’m also gutted about leaving our column radiators, but to be fair they are so heavy (one took four men to lift) that the effort of taking them out isn’t worth it.

Aluna · 18/10/2025 18:33

SleeplessIntheOnyxNight · 18/10/2025 18:31

This happened to me, I specifically mentioned the light fixtures and were the included (because they were really high end and expensive) and was told yes but they were gone when we moved in replaced with the cheapest light and bare lightbulb. I was livid but as it wasn’t official and nothing was in the paperwork (they were just saying anything to get bids) our solicitor didn’t see much point in kicking up a fuss.

They had the nerve to then ask us to accept some large order of goods they had sent to our address instead of their new one so they didn’t have to re-pay delivery. You can guess what the answer was on that.

Radiators seems especially bonkers though.

It must have been in the paperwork as you have to tick boxes as to what you are including and excluding in each room.

lizzyBennet08 · 18/10/2025 18:32

Honestly if I had really nice light fittings and radiators I'd be raki t them too. They're not been cheeky taking these .

Onelifeonly · 18/10/2025 18:32

I'd be worried what else they might try to do. How much do you want THIS house? I'd definitely look at getting a reduction in price or challenge the solicitor over the contract. When I have purchased properties, fixtures and fittings have been included as part of the contract. Though in this case, they are at least letting you know what they won't include - but I don't know if this is reasonable.

Winter2020 · 18/10/2025 18:32

Deebee90 · 18/10/2025 17:43

They aren’t leaving you with no radiators though, you have some just not the expensive ones they are taking. The fittings and fixtures form is where they have to state what they are taking so they aren’t doing anything wrong. Obviously if you want the items they are taking then now it’s on you to either make an offer for them or negotiate on the asking price but be prepared theyll say no. I took my radiators with me when I moved as the standing ones are bloody expensive and my buyer didn’t pay for them.

” I took my radiators with me when I moved as the standing ones are bloody expensive and my buyer didn’t pay for them”

Unless you told your buyer up front before they offered then they had offered to buy them - along with the rest of the bricks/windows/doors/bathroom/kitchen as included in their offer for the “house”.

What makes you think your buyer didn’t pay for the radiators but did pay for the front door or toilet?

Grammarnut · 18/10/2025 18:32

perfectpotato · 18/10/2025 17:25

Because they are fixtures - who takes radiators with them?

I agree about the radiators. The light fittings not so much. I wouldn't assume I was buying e.g. lamps and lampshades or, indeed, curtains unless they were listed in the spec.

SleeplessIntheOnyxNight · 18/10/2025 18:31

This happened to me, I specifically mentioned the light fixtures and were the included (because they were really high end and expensive) and was told yes but they were gone when we moved in replaced with the cheapest light and bare lightbulb. I was livid but as it wasn’t official and nothing was in the paperwork (they were just saying anything to get bids) our solicitor didn’t see much point in kicking up a fuss.

They had the nerve to then ask us to accept some large order of goods they had sent to our address instead of their new one so they didn’t have to re-pay delivery. You can guess what the answer was on that.

Radiators seems especially bonkers though.

Aluna · 18/10/2025 18:31

Personally I hate column radiators but that’s not the point, you’d be entitled to drop your offer as you have no idea what they will replace them with, no control, and they’re not likely use anything but the cheapest. So discuss with solicitor. It will cost them a lot of money to take out and replace and if they also lose on the asking price they may reconsider.

Cyclingmummy1 · 18/10/2025 18:30

The radiators would be a deal breaker for me. Your offer was based on those radiators. I can't believe PPs think it's acceptable to change radiators!

Our vendor wanted extra for the solar panels. DH said they could remove them and we would require an inspection report. I'd do the same for replacement radiators.

We have a Bluetooth mirror. It would never cross my mind to remove it. I'd not have another one, I'd rather have a heated mirror.

Grammarnut · 18/10/2025 18:30

Irritatedandsad · 18/10/2025 18:19

If thry paid a ton for them and are replacing them then I think it should be a point of negotiation if you made an offer based on the fittings like radiators and lights.

I think the light fittings are reasonable to take - I would take my chandelier and a pair of doors which are not integral to the house, but I would say so to every viewer and put in the description that these were not staying. Cookers, if not fitted, are also up for removal and I would remove mine and not replace it but take the cost of my cooker off the price of the house (and again I would say it was not staying - and this is not unusual either). I wouldn't waltz off with the radiators, though, and the expense of removal, replacement, and re-fitting them in another house with a different boiler is probably too much to be worth the effort!

Hankunamatata · 18/10/2025 18:29

Suppose it depends how much they paid for all those fixtures. If they are designer and worth a bomb then I cam see why they are going to hassle of removing them.

Did you offer a lower price than they were selling?

FrodoBiggins · 18/10/2025 18:29

PrincessofWells · 18/10/2025 18:24

Try reading my full post and applying what I've said to your bed . . . 🙄

Ok I had a bookshelf which was screwed to the wall to stop it falling forward, should that have been included?

Fwiw I think it's really odd to take the radiators but I also think you shouldn't give legal advice and then just make stuff up