Angry at house seller?

[perfectpotato]

Had our offer accepted, in the middle of the legal process and we’ve had got the fixtures and fittings form from the vendors.

They are taking with them all the column radiators (will be replacing with basic ones), all light fixtures - they had these beautiful sconce marble light fixtures that they will be taking and they are have a fixed mirror in the bathroom, has Bluetooth and different lighting and they are taking that too.

My partner doesn’t seem bothered but I’m really upset, Aibu?

When we were moving/buying our solicitor noticed the vendor said she was taking the fireplace and surround in the lounge! Our solicitor, said before contacting us, that the property was to be left as per the contract on Exchange, i.e. if the fireplace etc was removed the damage was to be repaired and an fireplace the same as to the one in the contract was to be installed. The property was to be in the same condition as viewed and listed on Exchange of Contracts. The vendor left the fireplace and surround. So if any of the fixtures and fittings were included in the contract on Exchange the vendors are liable to replace them with exactly the same fixtures and fittings.

You need to have a proper Solicitor who is on your side when buying or selling a property. If you are using a large volume conveyancing company are they on your side and pro-active? This could be why they are cheaper than an individual service.

Depends how big the house is.

It’s is a major structural change that could significantly impact the property's value and functionality.

The replacement cost could genuinely be substantial if you factor in redecoration.

Saves arguments, like we are having here now.

If they weren't being deliberately cheeky then surely they would have mentioned that they would be removing the radiators, light fittings and mirror, when you were viewing the property, rather than once they had accepted the offer ?

Do you mean for the rads? They’re replacing with regular ones so no replacement cost. And who doesn’t expect to decorate their new home? There will always be marks and fading and so on once the furniture and pictures etc are removed. Who wants to live in someone else’s tarnished decor?

I'd pull out.

Their removal and replacement will be difficult and could leave a huge mess.

Are they going to make good once they remove these items the last thing you want is to move in and walls need plastering. If you have to agree make sure your solicitor knows that any items removed will need to be in the same state as they are now or you will be invoicing them for the work. Tbh if it was me I would leave everything and just buy it again.

Do you mean for the rads? They’re replacing with regular ones so no replacement cost.

The cost of replacing the radiators back to the ones that OP assumed were included in the fixtures. Plus I would be worried that the seller could easily decide to cut corners when it comes to the plumbing work, I would want new certificates stating the boiler and central heating system, which the radiators are an integral part of, are fully working and any work is guaranteed.

Friends of mine bought a house that had a greenhouse. The vendor offered to sell it to them for several hundred pounds but they weren’t interested. On the day they moved in they discovered that the mean fucker had smashed it to pieces and the garden was covered in broken glass.

Disagree! Designer radiators are expensive!

@perfectpotato I would drop your offer significantly to cover the cost of reinstalling the radiators!

OP these things become a battle of wills.

You have to consider your offer: was it above or below asking price? What was the competition like? Were there similar offers and a hot property market?

Do they need to move quickly? Do you need to move quickly?

I would say to the seller that should have been made clear during the viewing. You can adjust your offer by £X (look up the value of buying each item new and add on installation costs + extra to cover the hassle and painting. Or they can leave the items and you can proceed on the current basis.

You have to play hardball though.

I had to deal with similar: we were paying £25k over the asking price (due to sealed bids) and the seller decided they wanted to take the fitted gas oven, fridge freezer unit ( fitted in a cupboard) and wine fridge (again fitted into the cupboards). Eventually we moved on after I refused to budge
(I couldn’t even offer less as it would have been too risky with the mortgage offer). The seller wasn’t even moving anywhere they were just greedy and wanted more money.

And so? it doesn’t entitle you to keep the mirror. Crystal chandeliers are also wired in, but I would never assume they’re leaving that!

Taking the radiators is bat sh*t. Upgraded radiators is like any other kind of home upgrade that adds value to the house at sale. It’s like taking down a posh extension and putting up a lean to after getting the extra money on the house for the renovation work.

Crystal chandeliers are not even remotely the same as taking the bloody radiators. They're just light fittings!

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I wasn’t talking about the radiators. I already disagreed with that. I asked why she thought she should keep the mirror and op said because it had been wired in.

Oh, sorry. I didn't realise. Many apologies.

That happened to us, they also tried to rip up the kitchen flooring, failed because of the glues used was a hell of a mess. The light bulb thing was very annoying

I would reduce the offer to account tor these changes.

Changing radiators would infuriate me, as it just wouldn't occur that they would do this. Much like taking out an expensive kitchen and replacing with a lesser quality one wouldn't occur. I would half expect them to take light and bathroom fixings and take account of this when negotiating a price.
If this happened to me I would get advice from my solicitor, as well as consider how desperate I am for the house sale to proceed.

Radiators are fairly cheap, even the nice ones, who could be arsed paying for removal and refitting!

When buying our house they took some nice light fixtures and left some nice/useful things behind. You win some you lose some!

They have to make good. Before you exchange, you'll need to check. Personally I'd price up for the column radiators. I was looking at some recently absolutely gorgeous £2.5k each. Gulp

Really? I have never heard of anyone taking radiators with them. When was that a thing?

So buy your own and have it wired in?

I would ask your solicitor to raise the concerns you have about them removing the radiators, it’s not right they are taking them. This could potentially affect the whole central heating system if not properly recalibrated. I would expect them to be left at no extra costs.

I agree with this, I find it weird as well. You see the house as it is, I expect things like radiators and light fittings to be included.
I was going to buy a house once and the seller sent a list of things that were not included and prices next to them. One of them was the fireplace (that had been fitted into the wall) and surround, I didn’t end up buying the house.
When my friend bought her house they took everything including the light bulbs and curtain poles and left holes in the walls.