Page 2 | Posting for traffic - house sale niggles

Bunnyfuller · 2021-02-13T18:18:07+00:00

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?

HercwasanEnemyofEducation · 13/02/2021 20:33

You've exchanged now so not much you can do beyond take the stuff with you.

You are a bit of a doormat with the oil, that's their problem.

Original poster

Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 21:06

They were not included on the form. The buyer asked ‘are you definitely taking the curtains etc?’ to which I suggested a price for what they wanted left.

They are all double lined custom made curtains, and the poles cast iron or oak, I’ve asked £250 for all (18 windows) bar 3 rooms. It’s a fucking bargain, and good luck to them managing with no heat.

OP posts:

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 13/02/2021 21:28

I agree with you - they're probably banking on you not taking them even if they haven't paid.

jimmyjammy001 · 13/02/2021 21:53

Just out of interest, how are you going to take the oil with you? Perhaps your buyers think that you can't take it with you and so will have to leave it for them which is why they think they don't have to pay for it.

Original poster

Bunnyfuller · 13/02/2021 22:34

We will be indulging in a very cosy house for 2 weeks.

We’d discussed the plan for the oil, I imagine they’re working on exactly that - we can’t take it with us. No, but we can have a luxurious amount of hot water and heating before we go!

OP posts:

Original poster

Bunnyfuller · 15/02/2021 13:09

So email to them via Estate agent today (my solicitor is beyond useless and it would never happen), asking for money in bank by Weds or we will remove all items.

Grrrrr!

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CuriousaboutSamphire · 15/02/2021 13:15

A tube of easy wall filler costs about £5. That and a piece of thick plastic and a set of steps and you can have all holes filled in about an hour!

So if they don't respond sod them! And of they respond after your deadline they'll have some curtains and poles on the floor! Tough!

CottonSock · 15/02/2021 13:20

Curtains cost a fortune so I think they are being silly. Padlock the oil tank
I think some people above don't realise how long a tank of oil lasts and costs.

SlopesOff · 15/02/2021 13:36

I know someone whose neighbours let the oil run off into the garden when they moved. Personally I would use it all up or at a push, syphon it out, people steal it that way so not impossible to do.

Give them a date by which to pay, via solicitors. If no payment is forthcoming, take everything down and fill holes. If they pay later, just leave the stuff in a pile.

Sylvac · 15/02/2021 13:42

@SlopesOff

I know someone whose neighbours let the oil run off into the garden when they moved. Personally I would use it all up or at a push, syphon it out, people steal it that way so not impossible to do.

Give them a date by which to pay, via solicitors. If no payment is forthcoming, take everything down and fill holes. If they pay later, just leave the stuff in a pile.

Unless the oil company you use has a dirty truck you can't syphon- the oil in the tank will be contaminated and so they won't usually drain them. It then needs to be transported and put into the new tank. The cost would probably outweigh the cost of the oil- unless very local.

Running it off into the garden can cost you thousands and a risk of prosecution. The environment agency become involved.

thestrayferret.co.uk/second-investigation-into-clear-up-of-sharow-oil-spill/

peak2021 · 15/02/2021 13:54

Good on you, pity it had to be the estate agent. I take it you will never use this solicitor for anything again.

TakeTheCuntOutOfScunthorpe · 15/02/2021 14:04

Take the curtains and poles down and pack them up safely. If they give you the money when you complete, leave them in the property so they can re-erect them in their own time. If they don't pay you, take them with you. Either way you'll be able to feel like you've fucked them over a little for all the messing around they've done.

It's debatable whether you need to fill the holes, but a quick and untidy filling in with Polyfiller will do the job.

CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 15/02/2021 14:11

If they didn't pay then I'd take all the curtains and poles, filling the holes in the wall, even if I slung them in a skip. This might be petty but fuck that for leaving them for cheeky fuckers who demanded everything done their way and went back on agreements.

Can't take the oil but I'd have the central heating in 24/7, leaving the windows open if necessary. Alternatively if it was possible I'd syphon it into a neighbour's tank.

Balls to letting them get away with everything for free after the way they've been

CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson · 15/02/2021 14:13

I'd also be having a word with your solicitor because if the agreement was that they pay for these items at exchange they shouldn't have exchanged contracts without the money

IstandwithJackieWeaver · 15/02/2021 14:16

I would cc the solicitor too. Cover all the bases.

SD1978 · 15/02/2021 14:24

Agree with others- give them a specific date by which they need to have paid, or explain that their will be no oil, and no curtain rails. You had agreed to this, they are the ones mucking around- not your problem if the house is bright and cold!

somethingischasingme · 15/02/2021 14:32

When my dad moved house years ago there was a really scabby carpet in the hall. The vendors asked if my dad wanted to buy it and he said no assuming they would either take it or leave it. So they burnt it and left the smouldering remains in the garden!

HighSpecWhistle · 15/02/2021 14:34

YABU.
Their income and pensions is of no business to you. You can't make any assumptions off that at all.

Also I've never heard of people charging for curtain poles. That's really tight. I'd never think to take them, especially as most windows vary in size anyway. And I wouldn't charge for Roman blinds for the same reason.

When we moved into our home, all curtain poles and Roman blinds were in place. As we're light fittings, bulbs etc in case you were wondering about charging for those too... 🙄

Jeez. When I sold our place I left chocolates and a bottle of wine as a housewarming.

HighSpecWhistle · 15/02/2021 14:35

@CharlotteUnaNatalieThompson

If they didn't pay then I'd take all the curtains and poles, filling the holes in the wall, even if I slung them in a skip. This might be petty but fuck that for leaving them for cheeky fuckers who demanded everything done their way and went back on agreements.

Can't take the oil but I'd have the central heating in 24/7, leaving the windows open if necessary. Alternatively if it was possible I'd syphon it into a neighbour's tank.

Balls to letting them get away with everything for free after the way they've been

How petty and tight are you?!

HighSpecWhistle · 15/02/2021 14:38

@Bunnyfuller

They were not included on the form. The buyer asked ‘are you definitely taking the curtains etc?’ to which I suggested a price for what they wanted left.

They are all double lined custom made curtains, and the poles cast iron or oak, I’ve asked £250 for all (18 windows) bar 3 rooms. It’s a fucking bargain, and good luck to them managing with no heat.

It's a bargain IF they like your style. They probably want them in place initially with plans to update to their tastes later on.

Seriously, I've never heard of people being this tight fisted in house moves. We've always left custom blinds in place for free and always received curtain poles and blinds for free.

With all due respect, get a life and be a bit kinder.

Original poster

Bunnyfuller · 15/02/2021 16:13

I’ve previously left similar items, and also wine and chocolates.

However, these buyers have: changed completion dates without any negotiation with others in chain, asked for a lot more than the curtains etc (lawnmower, expensive pots/planters, garden seats, wood store, wood, coal...), expected us to shoulder the 12k drop their buyer wanted, hinted at us sharing the cost of their buyer getting BT installed into the place they’re selling, refused to take our situation into account when setting a completion date (1 child in GCSE year, other in yr 10), me with serious heart issues and will now have to move me, kids and pets without DH because he couldn’t get time off work for that date.

So, call me petty, unkind, call me whatever you like. I go over and above to help people, which is why we topped the oil up a couple of weeks ago, so they didn’t have to worry about it when they moved in, and to which they happily agreed to pay for 500L even though we would be leaving more than that. There’s kind and there’s being a fucking mug.

If they didn’t want to buy the stuff they should have said so, not just hoped we would forget and having agreed to the arrangement with the oil (them buying what was left was actually their solicitor’s suggestion) then I’m afraid this is not me being unkind, but them being cheeky fuckers.

And when they penny pinch towards us, but brag about their 679433477 holidays, how am I expected to feel when they’re trying to grab anything they can?

OP posts:

fimimifi · 15/02/2021 20:33

@Bunnyfuller

I’ve previously left similar items, and also wine and chocolates.

However, these buyers have: changed completion dates without any negotiation with others in chain, asked for a lot more than the curtains etc (lawnmower, expensive pots/planters, garden seats, wood store, wood, coal...), expected us to shoulder the 12k drop their buyer wanted, hinted at us sharing the cost of their buyer getting BT installed into the place they’re selling, refused to take our situation into account when setting a completion date (1 child in GCSE year, other in yr 10), me with serious heart issues and will now have to move me, kids and pets without DH because he couldn’t get time off work for that date.

So, call me petty, unkind, call me whatever you like. I go over and above to help people, which is why we topped the oil up a couple of weeks ago, so they didn’t have to worry about it when they moved in, and to which they happily agreed to pay for 500L even though we would be leaving more than that. There’s kind and there’s being a fucking mug.

If they didn’t want to buy the stuff they should have said so, not just hoped we would forget and having agreed to the arrangement with the oil (them buying what was left was actually their solicitor’s suggestion) then I’m afraid this is not me being unkind, but them being cheeky fuckers.

And when they penny pinch towards us, but brag about their 679433477 holidays, how am I expected to feel when they’re trying to grab anything they can?

Well said!

BlueThistles · 16/02/2021 02:58

Take the fittings 🌺

HolaChicos · 16/02/2021 10:55

I don't think you're being tight-fisted op, they're definitely the CF's. Take the fittings with you and whack up the heating!

ThePluckOfTheCoward · 16/02/2021 11:23

@HolaChicos

I don't think you're being tight-fisted op, they're definitely the CF's. Take the fittings with you and whack up the heating!

Yep, totally agree with this poster, Op. I'm sorry you have now got to manage the move on your own. Your buyers sound really grabby and greedy. Enjoy all that lovely heat and hot water 😁