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?

Radiators? No way is that usual. I can understand expensive light fittings, although I’d leave them, maybe asking for an extra £300, I’d want a new look in a new house. Have you tried offering them some money?

Had I explained an item was not staying and then the buyers refused to sign unless it was left I'd tell them to get lost because they knew the item was not staying. Wise thing to do is to list what is not staying in the spec and move it out well before exchange.

It’s not normal at all to start ripping out fixtures! I’d pull out, what a joke.

Some of those radiators cost £1,000+ each. Not surprised they want to take them. Always assume you’re buying a completely bare house until you receive the fixtures and fittings list. If you want to make an offer on the assumption things like light fittings etc will be included best check in with the estate agent first.

I haven’t practised law in this country but where I come from fixtures are normally included in the sale description unless it is made clear that certain items are not included. The price you offered clearly was based on the way the house’s appearance when you viewed it.
I would also be very concerned about any possible damage to the walls etc when these fixtures were removed and replaced by alternative items. You might end up needing to repair plaster or wallpaper and repaint.
Surely as someone else posted above, it would be better if items of your choice were installed at the sellers’ expense?
Consult your solicitors before you accept this.

Yeah agree it’s bonkers!

They'll have to make good any paintwork as well

If there was no indication before you put an offer in that these things would not be left, I can see why you’re upset. Those sorts of things are customarily included and it would be expected that you would take them into consideration for the offer you make.

What sort of value would it be for you to replace like for like (of the stuff you’d actually like to keep), including labour, as a percentage of the amount you offered?

If a significant percentage, you would not be at all unreasonable to make a lower offer or pull out.

What they’ve done is pretty poor behaviour because fixtures are customarily included, but you’re still in the negotiation stage. Generally speaking it’s currently a buyers market, so you may be in a strong position to push back. At the very least it’s worth saying that if they are not leaving all the fixtures that were there when you viewed it changes the value of the house and if they are determined to do so, you will need to reconsider the offer once you have seen what state the house in after they have made the changes. Which might give them pause.

I think taking the radiators is unreasonable.

Its really is not normal to take things like that. A property is usually sold as seen in terms of the decorative standard and if they are going to rip out a load of premium fixtures and replace them with cheap crap polyfillered in, I'd argue its lowering the decorative standard that you've priced it on and would price chip for it.

I would consider pulling out. Are they going to get all the tiles, electrics and paintwork fixed? I would expect them to make all these changes before putting the house on the market.

Not at all normal to take fixed wall lights, mirrors that are part of the fabric of the bathroom - and particularly radiators. I might offer them some money for the wall lights to show willing, but push back on radiators - that's absurd.

It’s not normal to take basic radiators, but they spent money on expensive column radiators n have every right to take it as they can use in their new house. They are leading you with basic radiator’s so what’s the issue? If you want nice fancy ones, you can buy it n have it fitted. They won’t leave you without light, they will take theirs n replace with standard light bulb.
If I sold my house, I absolutely will take my chandeliers that v cost a lot of money

They are being unreasonable. Unless these things were listed as not being part of the sale, then they formed part of your offer on the property, as they are fixtures. I'd be very unhappy about that as it will change the look of the property, and I gather from this thread you wanted these items. Therefore, I'd be going back and reducing my offer as these are no longer coming with the house.

If you're not in love with the house, I'd pull out. You don't know what state the floors and walls will be in after the rads are changed.

And if they're the type of people to take bloody radiators with them, then I think I'd be done with them. Leaving a sour taste.

Crazy the amount of people who think they can take what they like with them, the offer is made on the house as fixtures are part of the house! It is absolutely not normal to take fixtures, and anything being taken should be clearly stated on the listing.

Also taking mirror that’s wired in, is normal, they cost in the 100s, you can have a standard mirror put in there or have one hard wired in, it’s bizarre that you expect them to leave that. Do you expect they leave their free standing washing machine and fridge too?

I have installed column rads throughout my house, there's no way I'd be petty and take them with me if we sold. They are fixtures and come with the house, taking them is ridiculous. The house also would have been valued with the finish in mind.

Taking a chandelier is more normal, as long as it's obviously stated that it's not part of the sale. The vendors have been incredibly unreasonable to only inform @perfectpotato during the conveyancing process. Let's hope OP has used a solicitor who only charges if the sale completes.

You cannot compare freestanding appliances, i.e. fittings, to wired in fixtures!

It's absolutely not bizarre to expect a wired in fixture to be left 🙄

It’s fine for them to do it as long as it’s made clear, but as a seller I’d be making that clear immediately, not waiting til offer has been accepted and they’re filling in the property form. Makes it sound more underhand.

I can understand it though as if I sold my house I’d likely replace my rather expensive set of ovens with a lower range set and I’ll be removing the hideously expensive lighting I’ve bought for my back room and replace with normal spots. I’d likely do all this proper to viewings though tbh. If not I’d be instructing the agent that this would be happening.

These things belong to them, they want to keep them. Fair enough.

I wouldn't call radiators fixtures tbh and aid not accept them taking those.

Light fittings, OK but again aren't they part of the appeal of the house?

I'd talk to your solicitor. Ask if they'd leave as is for an additional £.

If you don't want to proceed pull out now.

So that's what the fixtures and fittings form is for, to let the buyer know if the vendor proposes to take fixtures. The very fact that the form is routinely used demonstrates that is is routine for vendors to take fixtures with them when they move.

I would go back to your solicitor, radiators are considered fixtures and should have been mentioned in sales document if they weren't to be included?

Do you really not see the difference between a bed and a radiator?

Yes of course. It was in response to various suggestions like "if it's in the pictures it's included". Also "if you turn your house upside down and it doesn't fall out it's included" (which is also too simplistic eg I have a fitted desk built into an alcove which i would probably take).

But anyway it's weird to take radiators. But it's not misleading, the whole point of the list is you say what you're taking before you enter into the contract. It's just annoying and weird

LOL half the decor in my parents house today was there when they moved in in 1987!