AIBU-Leaving Property

[Wingingit202122]

I’m currently in the process of completing a mutual exchange (house swap for council/HA tenants) and was wondering if IABU
i found a couple (mid 60s) who are downsizing to my flat and i am having there’s so we then filled all forms and had to send in proof of passport and address
We have had all of our inspection checks done and everything was ok so now we have been given a date to sign new tenancys
When we looked at each other’s property we were discussing what things we would leave behind and what we would take but agreed nothing to be certain until we had approval swap was actually going ahead
The husband emailed me last night with a list of things they were leaving in property and things they were expecting me to leave
They are leaving- carpets throughout the house also in bathroom and kitchen (31 years old which stink of dog), old curtains, lampshades, old fridge freezer and even older cooker, wardrobes and old bed frames
They are requesting i leave the same as a like for like swap so that none of us have the ‘stress of moving these heavy items’
I reply saying I will not leave any of these items as ive only had all of my items for less than 2 yrs as i got everything brand new when i moved to this house as had been in a shelter before this so had nothing. I had anticipated having to leave The carpet as don’t know how i would move this but wasn’t planning on leaving my living room wood flooring as i can use this in new house
Also my beds and childrens furniture i want to take, also my kitchen stuff!

He has replied saying they will now have to rethink the exchange as they don’t have the money to replace anything
I don’t understand as they can just bring there stuff with them and only thing to replace is the carpet

Sit on your hands and see what they come back with

@MrsLargeEmbodied

i cant image the floor is the exactly same size and shape to carry over the flooring.

No, but the majority of it will be full-size tiles/planks that could be reused in a smaller room, or a bigger one if the OP buys extra flooring.

Given your updates, it sounds like they are cf’s

@MrsLargeEmbodied

i cant image the floor is the exactly same size and shape to carry over the flooring.

It's really easy to get extra pieces of flooring if she needs it, that type of floor is about £50 per box from B&Q.

@Lentil63

Anything not fitted is yours. You should definitely leave flooring.

Why? Most HA/council properties come without flooring. This is expensive, new and easily transported. Why should she leave it?

They are total CFs. They don't have the expense of getting rid of their shit old stuff OR buying new and you get both? No way!!

Oh right I bet they thought they would get their hands on your lovely new stuff! Of course you wont leave it!

Thanks all. I emailed back stating that I was happy to leave the carpets, curtain/ poles, blinds and light fittings (all fitted in by electrician) but was not going to leave the white good as still paying for them. Also explained the need for me to take the wooden flooring with me due to costs and made my point that I will have the whole of their property to re-floor and they will only have the living room in mine to sort out. I asked them to let me know by monday morning how they wish to proceed as I will call my HA and cancel our appointment on fri to go and sign new tenancy agreements.

Husband replied back within minutes ‘reminding’ me they are almost pensioners and don’t have much money saved to replace a flooring or white goods. Apparently now he would speak to his wife as they may call their council and find out how close they are on the list to being transferred to another GFF (if another tenant has died or moved out they may move up the list)

I replied neither do single 37yr old women with 3 kids and reminded him that I am already footing the bill for their removals as well as still leaving a hell of a lot of things within the property. I reminded him that even if the council said they were next in line for a GFF there’s no time limit on how long they would be waiting and also that they would actually be in a worse position then they are now as any other place would definitely come with all bare concrete/wooden floors and absolutely nothing else in them.

Awaiting his response

Love your response definitely CF trying it on.

Plus as you have already twigged, they won't need to replace carpets or white goods if they take their ancient and manky stuff with them!

@Wingingit202122 Any response? If not, I'd send another stating that as you've had lots of other interest (including a note through door), that you'll need to know by X date....!

Good for you, OP. Based on your updates I think you should take everything ;)

And if this one falls through hopefully you will get another house soon.

Good on you OP. I’ve read it as they’ve contacted you asking to swop as they want a GFF, you’re happy to as their house is closer to your DCs school but you’re not that bothered and are constant where you are sort of thing. Basically if they want to proceed they need to stop demanding stuff!

No response from him but i reckon they will wait until the last minute to let me know, if i have no response in the next 24 hrs I will email again saying i’m calling housing on mon morn to cancel the appointment
Just can’t believe they have waited until the last minute to start making demands! we started this process months ago so there’s been enough time for them to save for stuff
Im convinced now more than ever that their fridge and cooler aren’t in the best working condition considering their insistence on leaving it in the property. Not like i’m asking them to carry them out on there backs, ive paid for a bloody removal company for them!

Good response OP. They are being chancers.
They won't be able to ask about the council list until Monday, tho.

This is a good one -
‘reminding’ me they are almost pensioners and don’t have much money saved to replace a flooring or white goods.
like that's your problem!

Anyway, they don't need to replace any white goods as their own ones will be going with them, in the removal.

As you’ve paid for their removal company, why is he fussing over buying white goods and flooring? They have their own and don’t have to move anything themselves.

He could easily have the removal men roll up one of his carpets to cover the space where your wood flooring was?

I suspect they’re thinking of the size difference in house/flat and are considering your nice modern white goods, new furniture and wood floor a ‘perk’ of the exchange. They probably don’t realise your flat is in high demand, and that they’d have to pay for their own removals and purchase carpets from scratch if the council moved them.

It’s bizarre he thinks you’d be happy to exchange your new furniture, curtains and white goods for old ones in poor repair!

Absolute cheeky bastards op good for you for not backing down. “Almost” a pensioner-means fuck all in terms of being skint! So still working then?? Absolute nerve

You know what op Id message them back now and tell them you are withdrawing previous offer, that you will be taking all fixtures and fittings inc carpets and flooring with you and you will only be paying for a removal van. You sound in a strong position Id front them out.

You're doing the right thing. If it all goes ahead you know you'll get there to find a load of old crap you have to pay to dispose of, probably including their vintage white goods. So I wouldn't offer them any more than you already have.

And point out that they don't have to replace white good - you have paid for a removal van to move then

Id be taking fitted light fittings and put up white rose and bulb holder, they can stick their own lampshades on them

I think they're trying to pull a fast one

I'd speak to the housing association and explain the situation- they might be able to offer them some assistance to move their things (and you might be eligible for some help too)

I know years ago there was moving grants available for people my cousin had one once worth an ask

But certainly don't give up all your furniture and white goods if they're only 2 years old not a chance

Difficult tho as I'm guessing house stops to suitable areas are few and far between

Call their bluff.
I’ve worked in housing and there are loads of chancres like this looking for a life upgrade. Your property is clearly in good condition, accessible and in a desirable area so if these people pull out you won’t have a problem getting another exchange.
These chancers may be near the top of the list but there are no guarantees a suitable property will come up in their desired area and if it did, they’d have to take their old stuff with them anyway. They’re completely trying it on.

Also if they do go ahead I’d be tempted to sign the paperwork and take what you want in tens of fixtures and fittings. They’re really trying to exploit your good nature here

@Grapewrath

Also if they do go ahead I’d be tempted to sign the paperwork and take what you want in tens of fixtures and fittings. They’re really trying to exploit your good nature here

THIS! Especially the last sentence 🧡