Page 5 | To think fitted wardrobes come with the house...

NeverMovingAgain · 2022-09-03T11:54:17+00:00

We've taken bloody months and months to get to this stage and we're finally on the home stretch towards completion and exchange so it's entirely possible I've lost sight of what is and is reasonable but am I wrong to think fitted wardrobes should come with the house? We've finally received a fixtures and fittings form today along with the paperwork we need to sign before we can complete and exchange and it says the fitted wardrobes are excluded from the sale. Am I losing the plot to think they would surely be coming with the property? We're leaving them in our property, it never occurred to us not to because they are fitted to the space, so surley the whole point is they're designed for that room and you don't take them with you? I've emailed to get clarification but was it presumptious of me to think they would be staying in the house?

Poppyblush · 03/09/2022 14:14

They need to ensure what’s left is decent, so walls are the same colour/quality etc, make sure this is clear as I bet they won’t take them but want you to pay.

Swimmingpoolsally · 03/09/2022 14:15

IrisVersicolor · 03/09/2022 14:12

Sorry but I have negotiated exactly this on a property.

You say our offer was based on fitted cabinetry being part of the deal as we weren’t told otherwise by the agent. X cost to replace.

They say we’re only prepared to make good. You say full cost or nothing and point out even that will likely involve filling the walls, repainting and potentially also re flooring if the room is carpeted (fitted wardrobes are installed directly onto the floor).

They decide it’s not worth the hassle and leave them in place.

The sellers might tell the buyers to do one, but then the buyers might tell the sellers to do one. Depends how much they want to sell.

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This is exactly what we did. As per my post. They told us to do one and it was up to us if we wished to pull out but it was not something they’d negotiate on. We tried everything, Snd they did indeed tell us to do one.

IrisVersicolor · 03/09/2022 14:16

Swimmingpoolsally · 03/09/2022 14:10

I had this op. It was a beautiful antique hand carved wardrobe attached to the wall. I also assumed it was staying and was furious when I found it on the fix and fittings form it was going.

my solicitor and the agent both confirmed they could do this, they just need to make right. My own child is a solicitor and also confirmed it.

I went to war over discounts and it staying. They weren’t budging. And it was either accept or pull out.

a friend said to me, but you love the house, are you really going to lose it over a wardrobe. Which made me see sense. They did make good. The holes were plastered over and painted, the flooring replaced. You’d never know it had been there. I also argued it was in the particulars and on the floor plan. To no avail.

they can do this, they don’t need to discount, they don’t need to replace, their solicitor will have advised, they do need to make good. It’s then up to you if you want to continue or loose the house.

try to negotiate a discount or them staying but ultimately it may come down to do you still want to proceed if they go.

To be fair - an antique wardrobe does not become a fitted wardrobe just by fixing it to the wall. I would never think that would be part of a sale. And that should have been asked very early on as it’s so unlikely.

If you really liked it and they were prepared to part with it then you could negotiate to pay them for it.

Rosscameasdoody · 03/09/2022 14:16

Swimmingpoolsally · 03/09/2022 14:10

I had this op. It was a beautiful antique hand carved wardrobe attached to the wall. I also assumed it was staying and was furious when I found it on the fix and fittings form it was going.

my solicitor and the agent both confirmed they could do this, they just need to make right. My own child is a solicitor and also confirmed it.

I went to war over discounts and it staying. They weren’t budging. And it was either accept or pull out.

a friend said to me, but you love the house, are you really going to lose it over a wardrobe. Which made me see sense. They did make good. The holes were plastered over and painted, the flooring replaced. You’d never know it had been there. I also argued it was in the particulars and on the floor plan. To no avail.

they can do this, they don’t need to discount, they don’t need to replace, their solicitor will have advised, they do need to make good. It’s then up to you if you want to continue or loose the house.

try to negotiate a discount or them staying but ultimately it may come down to do you still want to proceed if they go.

But a wardrobe attached to a wall is not the same as an entire room full of fitted furniture being dismantled, after appearing and being described in marketing literature and floor plans.

Swimmingpoolsally · 03/09/2022 14:16

Rosscameasdoody · 03/09/2022 14:12

It is how it works if the house has been marketed with the fitted wardrobes as a feature, and they are pictured and described in the marketing literature/floor plans. We had this in a house move a few years ago. Fortunately we had the fixtures and fittings forms fairly early on in the sale. Same thing - saying they were dismantling and taking a quite high end fitted bedroom with them. Solicitor advised that the wardrobes were clearly mentioned and photographed in the brochure and included on the floor plans, so were considered part of the sale. We responded that it was unacceptable as they were clearly included in the marketing details and nothing had been mentioned at any of the three viewings we had before agreeing the sale. When we threatened to pull out, they backed down. Can’t believe the CF behaviour connected with house sales going on at the moment.

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It is how it works, the marketing materials have a disclaimer.

IrisVersicolor · 03/09/2022 14:17

Swimmingpoolsally · 03/09/2022 14:15

This is exactly what we did. As per my post. They told us to do one and it was up to us if we wished to pull out but it was not something they’d negotiate on. We tried everything, Snd they did indeed tell us to do one.

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Just answered this. It was very naive to think a piece of antique furniture would be part of the sale. Your sellers were quite right.

Suedomin · 03/09/2022 14:18

"It's their house and their fitted wardrobes, entirely up to them what they do with them. I don't think you've any right to be annoyed"
This isn't necessarily true. You wouldn't for example expect them to take the fitted kitchen, or fitted shelves in the living room. Usually if something is fitted it becomes part of the sale as fittings and fixtures . Unless it is specifically excluded in the estate agents info when you view the property

IrisVersicolor · 03/09/2022 14:20

Rosscameasdoody · 03/09/2022 14:16

But a wardrobe attached to a wall is not the same as an entire room full of fitted furniture being dismantled, after appearing and being described in marketing literature and floor plans.

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Exactly. I’ve got an 18c mirror and grandfather clock fixed to the wall, that doesn’t become built in furniture by virtue of a nail.

Christonabike37 · 03/09/2022 14:27

It's akin to taking the kitchen counter imo.

I'd tell them that if they're taking them they need to have all holes and damaged replastered, new flooring laid and redecorate. You're not buying a house that looks like it's had something ripped out, it needs to look like they were never there.

I don't know why they're bothering. I'd be amazed if someone could get fitted wardrobes out without damaging ANYTHING.

MercurialMonday · 03/09/2022 14:29

I'd expect a properly fitted wardrobe ie made for the space and on details to be left.

I wasn't expecting the free standing wardrobes here to be left ( even one with wall attachment to counter it toppling over )- and decline to pay extra for them - then got asked if they could leave them moving day.

If they aren't staying I would be requesting things made good - and sticking with that demand - but I think your right to query it as it would be normal to leave.

Heronwatcher · 03/09/2022 14:30

Hopefully your solicitor will confirm they should stay- it sounds like it to me- but if not I agree with others, call their bluff and say you don’t want them but that you expect the wall and floor to be made good. Chances are they’ll leave them anyway,

goldfinchonthelawn · 03/09/2022 14:32

Explain to them that if they remove them, they will have to make good the walls and flooring (ie replaster and recarpet)

Rosscameasdoody · 03/09/2022 14:33

Swimmingpoolsally · 03/09/2022 14:16

It is how it works, the marketing materials have a disclaimer.

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Yes, they do, but can be challenged according to what is reasonable. And it’s not reasonable for the sellers to allow the marketing brochures to photograph and describe fitted wardrobes, and include them on floor plan measurements, in the knowledge that they are going to remove them. It’s dishonest, and depending on how high end they are, could possibly affect the property price. There’s a difference between fixtures and fittings. Fittings are things not attached to the property and should be taken with you. Anything nailed or screwed down -fitted furniture specifically designed and built in to the room - are fixtures, and should be left.

Featherhands · 03/09/2022 14:36

I was expected to pay for a TV that was mounted on the wall. Because I refused, they ripped everything that was fitted out. Ripped things and left things in a right mess. I don't regret refusing to pay for the TV. If you're buying from arseholes whatever they do they were going to do anyway. They're just finding something to justify it with.

Summersdreaming · 03/09/2022 14:37

I would insist on the area being made good after removal, or the cash equivalent for you to do it. Naughty of them to leave it so late with the form.

Original poster

NeverMovingAgain · 03/09/2022 14:44

Thanks for all the advice on next steps etc I appreciate every reply even the ones telling me I was daft for assuming they would be left.

I have left a voicemail for both the agents and solicitors and also sent a more detailed email to follow up. I shall ring them both on Monday to chase the situation and find out what happens next and if it was a mistake, I'm doubtful but can only hope it is that easy to sort.

Hopefully we can sort something out so we can still exchange and complete ASAP and not delay the chain but I'm resolutely not moving forward until I know what's happening and I have it all I writing.

House moving really brings out the worst in people.

OP posts:

BirdyWoof · 03/09/2022 14:44

I’d call their bluff and say you don’t want them.

Chances are they’ll end up leaving them because of the faff of removing them and transporting them if they’re proper “fitted” wardrobes.

And if they do remove them then at least you can choose what style you want in there, etc.

DinosaurDuvet · 03/09/2022 14:44

Are they taking the kitchen with them too? 🙄

Original poster

NeverMovingAgain · 03/09/2022 14:45

DinosaurDuvet · 03/09/2022 14:44

Are they taking the kitchen with them too? 🙄

No fortunately we are allowed the kitchen. I'm still unsure on the toilet though or the doors as they aren't listed so anyone's guess really.

OP posts:

OhCrumbsWhereNow · 03/09/2022 14:54

We bought a house that had the most hideous indoor water-feature that took up a whole wall. There were 3 photos of it on the listing plus full description.

We'd resigned ourselves to an expensive job ripping the ghastly thing out and were thrilled to find that vendors took it with them - but did make me think that estate agents details appeared to be as much a case of a 'serving suggestion' of what you could do with part of your house as a definite guide to what was included.

We had some very expensive lights in a property we sold that we took with us, but we stated it up-front and replaced them all with cheapy standard fittings and made good all the walls etc.

badbaduncle · 03/09/2022 14:56

DM refused to pay and they smashed them up and left them dumped in the garden - wrecked all the walls as well. Spiteful twats

ovenproof · 03/09/2022 15:05

If they are insisting on taking them then you need to make it clear that the floor and walls are in a good state and in keeping with the rest of the room as viewed . Frankly the hassle of doing that will probably mean they leave the wardrobes

I would say this and be very specific. Ie internal walls must be in good state of repair, re plastered and redecorated to match the rest of the room. Also the space where the floor of wardrobe was should be carpeted or floored to match the rest of room.
Not unreasonable to expect this.

Hopefully that will put them off

Ree91 · 03/09/2022 15:37

When I bought my house, the fixture and fittings form excluded the kitchen cupboards! I questioned it and it turns out it was an admin error and they would definitely be included - hopefully it turns out to be an error on the form!

Rosscameasdoody · 03/09/2022 15:45

NeverMovingAgain · 03/09/2022 14:45

No fortunately we are allowed the kitchen. I'm still unsure on the toilet though or the doors as they aren't listed so anyone's guess really.

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What’s the betting that when you move in there won’t be a light bulb anywhere !! They’ve shown their true colours now OP, you and your solicitor/EA need to keep on top of them to make sure there’s no other CF behaviour going on. Scrutinise every document from there side and nip anything else in the bud. A lot of posters are saying they moved in to mess after this kind of dispute. Don’t stand for that either - report anything amiss, rubbish left or broken appliances etc - to your solicitor immediately because the sellers will be liable for the associated costs.

Spanielsarepainless · 03/09/2022 16:02

Call their bluff. If you say you don't want them, they have to take them out and make good the walls and floor. My DH got caught for another few grand some years ago when the vendor sprang this him just before exchange. They wanted cash too.