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?

This is good advice.

I can understand slightly why they are taking the radiators as we have them and and they are so much better than standard ones. I dont intend on taking mine though, I do think its weird?? Id be concerned the new radiators wont leak etc, you need to go back to the solicitor and see if theres a clause or comeback if you do have issues with them.

The mirror, odd too.....especially if its relatively new bathroom anyway but if it's expensive I can see why.

If they were part of the reason why you bought the house and you offered the price you did for them, then either lower your offer to take into account replacing them or pull out of the sale.

From a legal perspective if the photos of the house show the radiators and/ or they are mentioned then they are fixtures and they should be included with the house purchase. If they're not then I think you have a good argument that the estate agents details were misleading.

As a general rule if you turn the house upside down, anything that falls out is not included in the sale.

I would be arguing with the vendors tbh. It depends how much you love that particular house and whether the radiators and bathroom fittings were an intrinsic part of what made the house desirable from your perspective.

And if you do make an offer to buy the lights and the mirror, remember that they are now second hand so don't be seduced into over paying unless that works for you.

Taking the radiators is weird but, I suppose, if they had them before the viewings, would that have changed your offer? Maybe think of it like that.

I hate vendor pettiness. One of mine took the light bulbs.

Duplicate post deleted

Never assume anything is included in a house sale. You could have asked whilst viewing. That said, radiators do seem a strange thing to take.

I would be concerned they wouldn't actually replace the radiators or something. It is a big job, the system has to be drained etc. When will they do it?

They sound a bit nuts, really. I'd consider pulling out.

YANBU @perfectpotato Who the fuck changes the RADIATORS!?

Like, what would people think if they changed all the windows to old basic windows made in 2007? Or had a fancy garage door, and changed it for a basic one, just before moving out of their house they had sold to a private buyer???

No-one would expect that. How on earth can anyone think it's OK/normal to take the bloody column radiators, and put basic ones in...? Column ones cost 3 times more than the normal 'panel' ones, and they (the column ones) would have been there/in place when the OP put the offer in on the house. I would be incredibly fucked off by this.

Consult your solicitor @perfectpotato

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Taking the radiators is ridiculous. I don’t blame you being annoyed. I would absolutely challenge them on that as you agreed to buy the house with the radiators you saw when viewing, not whatever crap ones they’re likely to replace them with

Taking the radiators is a bit weird imo but lights are normal.

It would be unusual for all of those things to fit their new property. If they are nice things, they may just want to get some money back for them by selling them on.

Could you offer to buy them from them? If you really like them. You get things you like, that fit, they recoup some of their money and don't have the hassle of having to take them out and replace them.

You can only ask, they are free to say no if they really want to take them with them.

I think your reaction depends on if you still want the house even without these fixtures.

I would be very off put by the radiator removals and replacements as they are likely to leave damaged walls and carpets and (if you are not overly in love with the house) tempted to say they stay untouched or you will pull out. But that does depend on you believing you can find another house that you like as much.

The light fitting and bathroom mirror you could try to look up their cost and make an offer for them to stay in situ but I don't really feel you should make an offer for the radiators as they are a basic part of the house.

Regardless of whether they like them or not, taking them with them is ridiculous and very much not the done thing in the U.K.

reinstating the rads might be a not insignificant proportion of the purchase price and warrant a renegotiation.

They do own these things though so of course they can take them.

They own the house and everything in it. Can they take the bath and the toilet and the kitchen sink?

It is not normal to take things that are actually fixed to the floor, walls or ceiling.

Mirrors have Bluetooth now? What fresh hell is this?

Taking radiators is not normal & now is the time to adjust your offer to reflect that.
Light fittings can be taken but they have to leave a working standard white fitting.

If the garden is nice watch that too, they sounds like the types who would take a lot of the plants.

It should’ve been mentioned at the beginning to be fair.

Exactly. It's batshit. And I'm sure they shouldn't be doing it!

These responses are so weird.

It's classic MNs!

Never assume anything is included in a house sale.

Not even kitchen units or a toilet?

You are free to put in an offer for them to leave these things. Your previous offer was for the house, not extras.

Did they spend a lot doing the house up to go on the market? If they did and have only recently purchased things like new radiators and light fittings, then it’s understandable that they want to use them. It is unusual to take radiators, but taking light fittings, bathroom cabinets and mirrors is normal.

I would have thought radiators would be classed as a fitting. Unfortunately mirrors and light fittings are fair enough. Hopefully they won't do what our lovely sellers did and take all the light bulbs!

I think it is annoying too. Part of the value of a property is how it is finished, and the quality of the fixtures. These are fixtures. It's like seeing a house with a beautiful solid wood in frame kitchen and them then saying they're taking it and swapping it for a b&q cheapie for the same price.

I think the mirror and light fittings are fine, Iight fitting are expensive and individual and I’m fairly certain that as long as they leave you with a standard fitting and bulb that’s accepted practice. Taking the radiators is NOT normal though and I would very much argue they should be left. Speak to your estate agent and solicitor about that one.