Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Seller trying to charge £'000s on top for existing fitted window shutters!

347 replies

MrsKT123 · 16/01/2022 00:08

We're buying a house and have had the fixtures and fittings report back and our seller has noted that the fitted window shutters are not included and would be an extra few thousand £s if we'd like them to stay! (Don't want to give exact amount in case they're on here!)

We're already paying considerably over asking price, had no quibbles on around £5ks worth of work required noted on our survey and have said we're happy to exchange and complete in order with their timescale (they have asked for an extended period between exchange and completion). We love the house and just want things to go smoothly.

I'm really disappointed by this as I would not have expected them to be taking these as they're made-to-measure and I know the house they are buying and there's no way they'd fit. To me, it's like taking the kitchen cupboards or built in wardrobes with them.

Surely it's more hassle to them to get them removed and put good the decoration for all windows in the house (large 5-bed with some bay windows)?

YABU - you shouldn't expect fitted window shutters to be included
YANBU - of course fitted window shutters should be included

OP posts:
Kate0902900908 · 17/01/2022 17:44

I agree with other posters. I would say if they are going if we don’t pay for them we need to discuss the 5k worth on findings on the survey.
I’m not being funny but that is Cheeky Fuckary at its finest! I recently sold mum and dads house, even the curtains and light fitting were made for the house all stayed and we didn’t try to change the buyer for them?! Clearly they are trying to get more money call them out!!

Mumof3girlygirls · 17/01/2022 17:45

They are completely trying it on!! I bet when you viewed you pointed them out or something and they twigged that you really like them... so are milking it. Call thier bluff and tell them to take them. It will cost them a fortune to take out and fix up afterwards. 100% they are trying it on .. horrid people!!

WTAFhappened123 · 17/01/2022 17:49

I’d tell him to Take the shutters but would need the windows area to be ‘made good’ to a satisfactory standard prior to exchange

Hadsuchahardday · 17/01/2022 17:50

We’ve had it both ways with different house purchases. One wanted extra for the shed, we said no and they left it. Other wanted to know if we wanted to buy the horrid candle wall lights ( no central light). We said no, they took them and left a single light bulb dangling on a wire touching the wall - very dangerous with the wires and made a scorch mark on the wall.

CelestiaNoctis · 17/01/2022 17:51

Say you're happy for them to take them but the area has to be repaired and painted. Call their bluff.

mylifestory · 17/01/2022 17:51

Say you're not fussed about the shutters either way. Nothing more. Theyre not exactly going to take them with them!

Fwaltz · 17/01/2022 17:52

To me it would make a difference whether it was a period house where shutters form part of the fabric / character of the property (ie Victorian or Edwardian ones), vs modern shutters that are just window dressings, which I would see more like curtains (and therefore consider them things that the owner might want to take with them).

cherish123 · 17/01/2022 17:52

They are just trying to squeeze money out of you.

backtolifebacktoreality · 17/01/2022 17:53

I'd say that although you like them, unfortunately finances are tight during the move so sadly you'll have to say no. They may end up feeling guilty and leave them anyway!

pollymere · 17/01/2022 17:54

My brother had this. I've seen it when I used to work in property law. My brother suggested they take the items they wanted thousands for as actually he wasn't bothered about them staying. The Vendors then realized they couldn't sell them elsewhere or really take them with them so they were left and my brother got them for nothing... They will also need to remove them without causing any damage to the property and leave something acceptable in their place if needs be too i.e. they would need to make good the walls. Don't give in to blackmail.

KeepingAnOpenMind · 17/01/2022 17:57

YANBU.
I’d call their bluff and say you don’t need them.
There used to be a thing a few years back on agents brochures saying that carpets aren’t included and would have to be paid for separately. Always made me laugh. Who would want most peoples manky carpets and just think of the hassle of buyers having to remove them if the buyer said they didn’t want them.

Leedsfan247 · 17/01/2022 17:58

Tell them you don’t want them, very unlikely they will take them when they move.
Probably an attempt to squeeze some more money out of you.

DonaPatrizia · 17/01/2022 18:03

Just politely say you thought they were included and you are declining the offer to buy them. No need for a fuss, just call their bluff. Sure, you will end up paying for shutters of your own but on principle I would rather pay someone else than give these CFs the money.

ThePinkTeapot · 17/01/2022 18:06

We had a similar issue - our seller wanted us to buy the massive wall sized mirror in the bathroom or said they’d take it with them. I was tempted because the mirror would have (a) cost more to replace and (b) would ruin the whole look of the room if it was missing. However, we called their bluff on the basis it would be far too much hassle for them to take with them and probably not something that you couldn’t easily to another house. The gamble paid off and they left it behind.

Picoloangel · 17/01/2022 18:06

Definitely call their bluff as others have said. Ask for them to be removed and the areas made good. They will leave them!

Mellowyellow222 · 17/01/2022 18:07

@FleeceNavidadFromTheSheep

I disagree and think they fall in the same category as, say, decorative light fittings or curtain poles, so the sellers are entitled to remove or sell them to you.
This exactly. You should never assume something is included until you see the fixtures and fitting list. Blinds are listed there.

They aren’t being cheeky . I left my blinds in my old house because they wouldn’t fit in my new house but that was my choice.

They are perfectly entitled to take blinds or try to sell them.

thenovice · 17/01/2022 18:08

Say you don't want to pay for them. I bet they won't want to take them away.

TrashyPanda · 17/01/2022 18:15

@mjf981

'Chains' don't exist in North America, or in Australia. Its a complicated British thing. I've lived in all 3 continents, and think the British system is very complicated and stressful. In other places, you sell and move out in the next 1-2 months. You rent, have another place bought, move in with family, go travelling. Gazumping or waiting months to years to complete the chain just doesn't seem to happen elsewhere. Its much more straightforward.
It’s not a British thing - Scotland has its own legal system which works like the examples you quote. Basically, once missives of sale are agreed, that forms a binding contract. The average time between offering and moving is around six weeks. Generally, exchange is midday on a Friday.

I’ve never understood why the rest of the U.K. doesn’t campaign for a radical overhaul of conveyancing to make it fit for purpose. All they have to do is to look north of the border!

Rtruth · 17/01/2022 18:20

Estate agents should have known this, it’s their choice and yours if you wish to continue.

Payitforward55 · 17/01/2022 18:22

I would have expected them to have been left but like you say I would be wanting to keep things pleasant - people tend to do weird things when moving. Hopefully the solicitors can sort it out.

gsaoej · 17/01/2022 18:24

People are such shits during house sales and the process is so open to it.

The fixtures ought to be declared upfront.

But your strategy is good to mention the 5k of work on the survey in response.

People shouldn’t need to strategise though.

TheHoptimist · 17/01/2022 18:24

@pixley

When we moved into our current house we were asked to pay for oil that was already in the oil tank - we said no way, take it with you - it was left!
Spot the Townie

That is standard.
There are 2 choices:

  1. They run the tank down- not ideal as there is usually a layer of crap in the bottom which can run into the aga/boiler and cause damage. Even if no damage the buyer then also then needs new oil and there can be a delivery delay in many areas (indeed sometime you have to wait to get put on a round)
2.You take a reading and pay them at the current rate. All done routinely a part of the purchase.
TheHoptimist · 17/01/2022 18:24
  1. If they dont pay then you get the tank emptied and take it to your new house.
Dontwanttolivewithmylover · 17/01/2022 18:33

Call their bluff. Say 'Sorry, but we're not ready to pay the extra for shutters as we've already agreed to 5k of work needing to be done. If you want to remove and make good the wood work/ plasterwork, then we're happy to agree a date or dates when this can be done.
If you appear TOO eager to get the house at ANY cost, they'll be charging for lightbulbs and the roof.
They won't easily find a buyer for them once removed as they were made to measure. .they're trying it on. Don't bite and remember, just as when buying a new car, don't have the last word. Let the silence be broken by them.

Tomitma111 · 17/01/2022 18:33

Call there bluff, they are trying to get more money, just tell them you have a friend who has offered to make you new window shutters, and tell them that they will only cost one tenth of what they want so they are welcome to take them. I bet they won't