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Original poster

Posting for traffic - house sale niggles

63 replies

Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 18:18

Well,

We finally exchanged on Thursday just gone. Our buyers pretty much dictated the moving date for the chain of four because they were adamant they would only use their chosen moving company. All along they’ve been moaning about money here and there, and the unspoken (mostly) hint that they cannot possibly afford anything extra at all (they both have decent jobs and large pensions from their previous careers - me and DH are still working for their former employer, and we do know them from work).

Back in November we agreed a price for all curtain poles, all downstairs curtains and several Roman blinds. At the time we also agreed that we would aim for at least half a tank of oil to be left for them (oil fired heating and hot water) and said we would just ask the latest rate for 500L (the tank takes 1300L but we weren’t going to nit pick). We explained to estate agent we would want this all paid for at exchange.

Nothing is now forthcoming from the buyers. The estate agent said ‘they need to think about the oil’ and so far no money paid for the curtains etc.

We complete on the 25th, and having seen what they’re like I wouldn’t want to leave everything and have them pay after completion. I’m not prepared to just leave the things as they’re all v high quality items, and I could probably make more on eBay!

We feel a bit like they’re letting it drift to make it a huge hassle for us last minute to remove our things and they get them by default.

When their buyer suddenly demanded a 15k drop they were immediately onto us to take the drop for them!

What would you do?

OP posts:
Shoxfordian · 13/02/2021 18:21

Tell your solicitor to tell theirs that unless the payment is in your account by the 25th then you’re taking it all with you

Nearlyhalfterm · 13/02/2021 18:24

Get your solicitor to tell them you won't fill the oil or leave the items they were going to buy. Sell them on eBay and leave them to sort the oil themselves. Don't see accept a price drop. They will likely want to complete before stamp duty holiday ends. Put it back on the market if they don't get on with it. I would call their bluff unless you are absolutely desperate to move.

1Morewineplease · 13/02/2021 18:26

Yes to calling their bluff.

Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 18:26

We’ve exchanged so no going back, completion date is set.

If they aren’t prepared to pay for what they asked for then we need to get them down by the middle of next week as will have to fill holes etc.

OP posts:
Ohcomeonitsrubbish · 13/02/2021 18:31

Give them a date during next week for payment. If no payment is received then take the curtains etc down and make the walls "good". Make sure your solicitor knows that if payment is subsequently made, you will leave the items, but they will have to put them back up again.

They're pulling a fast one - don't let them.

Ilikewinter · 13/02/2021 18:31

As you've already exchanged i would tell your solicitor to tell theirs that you assumed they didnt want the agreed fixtures and fittings and you have removed them.
OR just take them all down now and if they query it after completion then its tough, they haven't paid any money for them.

NotFabulousDarling · 13/02/2021 18:32

as will have to fill holes etc.
No you just take them down and remove the poles. The holes aren't your problem. Why are you being a doormat for these people?

Get onto your solicitor and the estate agent so you know where you stand with the minutiae like curtain poles.

Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 18:34

Thanks,

I didn’t want to think they were moving into cheeky fucker territory but I really think they are.

Do they think we will just leave it and they’ll get it buckshee? If there’s no oil left they literally will have no heating or hot water, and it is freezing at the moment! We are usually very energy conscious but I see a very snuggly half term ahead!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 18:36

@NotFabulousDarling I believe you have to make good any holes left from removing things?

And hopefully I’m not being a doormat by not just letting them have the stuff!

OP posts:
Dogsarehairy · 13/02/2021 18:39

You won't get any money for blinds and poles on eBay, you may for curtains. Look at past sales.

Poles are usually left- did you specifically exclude them? That would be untypical

You dont charge buyers for oil! You run the tank low and leave it. How are you going to get the oil out of they dont pay?

Nearlyhalfterm · 13/02/2021 18:43

You are fine if you have exchanged as they can't drop the price now. I'd probably leave the poles as a faff to bother taking down, take the rest and if they have no oil it is on them. They can always arrange their own delivery for the date you complete. You can order for a house you don't own as I have done it.

user1493494961 · 13/02/2021 18:48

I would take it all with me, I'd sooner give it to a charity shop or homeless charity. They'll have to order oil if there isn't any.

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 13/02/2021 18:49

It does not matter a jot what anyone else thinks is "usually left", you've agreed a deal for these things. If they renege then they can't expect you to have left them or put oil in the tank.

We had the reverse where our vendors left all manner of crap and furniture we weren't expecting. We sold a surprising amount of it on eBay and Facebook thank goodness.

Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 18:52

When we came here there were publish knackered poles and only 2 rooms with curtains, they will come down easily enough.

DH is off weds/Thursday, I will give them until Weds to pay and otherwise they’re going with us.

Re. The oil we didn’t want to leave them in the poo, as until you have to buy oil for the first time you don’t realise it’s a bit pricey for ‘immediate’ delivery which mostly isn’t immediate!

OP posts:
Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 18:53

*rubbish

OP posts:
Dogsarehairy · 13/02/2021 18:56

@Bunnyfuller

When we came here there were publish knackered poles and only 2 rooms with curtains, they will come down easily enough.

DH is off weds/Thursday, I will give them until Weds to pay and otherwise they’re going with us.

Re. The oil we didn’t want to leave them in the poo, as until you have to buy oil for the first time you don’t realise it’s a bit pricey for ‘immediate’ delivery which mostly isn’t immediate!

Are they in the estate agent description? Did you write on the fixtures form that they were excluded?

If not you will need to replace them.
If you take them down you will need to fill and paint.

Pipandmum · 13/02/2021 18:57

First was it in the contract? And second I would not expect to pay for these things until I completed. Third, I think it is a bit petty to ask for money for the poles and blinds for that matter - unless they are going to fit your new home. I have blinds in most rooms, some were expensive, but they are custom made for this house. But as you have agreed to sell them then get it in writing, but I don't see why you expect payment before they take possession.

Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 19:07

Because once we complete they have no obligation to let us have them back!

The done thing is to pay at exchange, or so we are told.

The house has 18 windows. Tbh, if they hadn’t pissed us around I would probably leave the poles, but they’ve tried to reduce costs to them all along the way. We’ve now got a moving date DH has to work because they’d said that date or nothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 19:08

They were all excluded on the form, on the advice of our estate agent

OP posts:
1Morewineplease · 13/02/2021 19:12

Just do the minimum required.
If there's a hole on a blue wall, and you have filler in white, just fill the hole in white. You probably don't have the same colour paint left.

Chloemol · 13/02/2021 19:12

So tell them you want payment by Tuesday 5pm. If it’s not forthcoming just take the poles, curtains with you and don’t fill the tank

It becomes their problem

Dopeyduck · 13/02/2021 19:18

Agree that this is now a problem for your solicitor. Send them an email instructing them to get payment for those items by X date and inform the buyers that if it’s not received in time you’ll remove the items.

The polite / normal thing to do is to pay as soon as possible after exchange.

Nomorepies · 13/02/2021 19:35

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

Lolapusht · 13/02/2021 19:47

If the items are specifically excluded from the contract then take them down on the assumption that they’re not going to pay for them. You’ve made a personal agreement with the buyers to sell them the items, just like you would if you were selling something on Facebook etc. If they don’t pay then they don’t get the items. Was a payment date mentioned when you agreed to sell them? Yes you’re “meant” to fill in the holes but they really don’t have any recourse if you don’t. What they going to do? Take you to small claims for breach of contract? You may have to take the hit on the oil 🤷🏻‍♀️

Catmummyof2 · 13/02/2021 20:30

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.