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AIBU?

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Original poster

To change the light fittings

33 replies

enoughofthisbloodyrain · 09/08/2018 15:48

Posting here for traffic....We are selling our house, I have some really nice (and pricey) light fittings in our current house from the likes of Laura Ashley, John Lewis etc. The sale contract states window treatments and light fittings included in sale whch I was ok with but now I'm packing up but I want to take my nice fittings with me! WIBU to change them to cheaper fittings and bring my posh ones with me?

OP posts:
Lillabet · 09/08/2018 16:08

If it's already been agreed and your purchasers are expecting to get those light fittings it is, at best, really bloody rude to take the posh ones and replace with cheap ones, at worst it's a breach of contract and there could be penalties, the least of which is that you have to return the fittings.
In short YABU, take a note of the make, models and suppliers of the ones you like and buy them for the new place. If you'd wanted to take them with you, you should have specified that and stated that you'd replace with good quality alternatives.

Bambamber · 09/08/2018 16:11

YABVU

You've signed a contract

loveka · 09/08/2018 16:13

If you put it on the form you have to leave them.

If I were you I would phone the estate agent and ask them to phone your buyers and ask them though.

I just moved. They left all light fittings and curtains but we changed them as not to our taste.

All part from 2 glorious 1980's Laura Ashley chandaliers that I remember drooling over when I had my first flat. I couldn't afford them and can't believe I own them now!

BackToTheFuschia7 · 09/08/2018 16:14

Yes, as PP have said, it would be breach of contract.

However I did swap one light fitting and nothing happened. The buyers were absolute arses who really messed us around so I had no guilt.

wafflyversatile · 09/08/2018 16:14

Your contract says you're leaving them so you should leave them.

You could contact the buyer and ask if they are bothered. It might be that they were going to bin them on day one and don't mind you taking them and/or replacing them with something cheaper. If, if they do say that back it up with an email exchange.

JacquesHammer · 09/08/2018 16:18

The F&F form isn’t legally binding until contracts have been exchanged.

Ask your solicitor to contact the buyers’ solicitor listing the fittings you want to take and confirming you will leave replacements.

JacquesHammer · 09/08/2018 16:18

Pressed too soon!

A communication string can then be added to the form as an addendum.

Lillabet · 09/08/2018 19:59

@JacquesHammer what happens if the purchasers decide they wanted the fittings as originally agreed, who's likely to get their way, so to speak?
That's a genuine question by the way Smile I'm not being goady Halo

Bluelady · 09/08/2018 20:06

Doesn't the form just say light fittings? I'm pretty sure it doesn't specify which light fittings.

loveka · 09/08/2018 20:13

Yes, but it would be the light fitting they saw.

Pretty shitty to say you are leaving a nice John Lewis light fitting that they saw, then on day of completion its some crappy thing from B and M Bargains.

When I was selling I said on the form.that light fittings weren't included. I was intending replacing them with a simple white rose. But tve buyer knew that.

Bluntness100 · 09/08/2018 20:18

You've basically sold them. So yes you need to leave them, they will have legal recourse if you basically change them to something else.

JacquesHammer · 09/08/2018 20:23

@Lillabet

Then as the agreement was made and not deviated from by mutual consent, then the light fittings have to stay.

Absolutely nothing on the F&F form is binding until it forms part of the contract at exchange. That isn’t to say you can make wholesale changes without discourse, but any changes to that form can be discussed. It’s an entirely normal part of the conveyancing process.

Bluntness100 · 09/08/2018 20:27

I'm assuming she has exchanged

Op have you?

mineofuselessinformation · 09/08/2018 20:30

Why can't you get new ones?

Bluelady · 09/08/2018 20:57

I'm pretty sure that as long as there are light fittings the contract is fulfilled. They don't have to be the ones that were there at viewings. Check with your solicitor, OP.

Bluntness100 · 10/08/2018 07:38

That's not correct. You cannot allow people to view a house, say x fixtures and fittings are included, exchange contracts, then whip out this fixtures and fittings and replace with cheap ones.

JacquesHammer · 10/08/2018 07:46

You cannot allow people to view a house, say x fixtures and fittings are included, exchange contracts, then whip out this fixtures and fittings and replace with cheap ones

No but it’s perfectly normal to raise the question with your buyers via the solicitor.

Lillabet · 10/08/2018 08:29

@JacquesHammer thank you Smile good to know

Bluntness100 · 10/08/2018 08:31

Yes of course you can discuss with the buyers, but the point is you can't exchange then just switch them out for cheaper items.

LlamaPyjamas · 10/08/2018 08:35

It’s breach of contract if you take the light fittings without prior agreement from the buyer. Not sure why you’d be bothered about John Lewis light fittings anyway - they’re hardly designer. Just get new ones after you move?

Original poster
enoughofthisbloodyrain · 10/08/2018 10:46

Thanks all for the information, no we haven't exchanged contracts at this point so I'll raise it with the solicitor. @LlamaPyjamas you're obviously wealthier than me, John Lewis is pretty posh in my world.

OP posts:
wombat1a · 10/08/2018 10:54

If you want to keep them you have to get it put into the contract before everyone signs and because fittings are normally included you would would polite to point out the change too. Expect the buyer to want to knock quite a few pounds off the agreed price though as they will probably want to reduce the price by a) the cost of new fittings and b) the time and hassle they need to get and git the fittings.

LlamaPyjamas · 10/08/2018 10:58

I mean it’s not a designer limited edition or anything. It’s not irreplaceable. If you ask the buyer if you can take the lights they’ll undoubtedly want a discount as they’ll have to replace them. Which is worth it if the light fittings are irreplaceable designer items but not if they’re replaceable high street items.

Bluelady · 10/08/2018 11:48

Be very, very interested in what your solicitor says, OP. Please come back and tell us.

CoralFish · 10/08/2018 12:00

I hate fancy dust traps light fittings, and the first thing I do when I move in somewhere is replace them with a good old fashioned bulb on a wire. Do you actually care if the new owners are annoyed? As long as there are light fittings, I very much doubt whether they will bother to sue you...

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