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?

I think plenty of people dig up plants and trees. Our previous owner did! We didn’t bat an eyelid. I don’t know how I feel about this radiator situation! We sold our previous house and we had installed the column radiators - we didn’t take them with us. Ours were expensive cast iron ones too. But I can also see vendors side too. She said they were gifted.

Also very normal. When they fit the softener they explain how easy it is to detach and move with you as one of the selling points. It’s not something that would be reflected in the cost of the property because it’s not a standard item.

Where we live (Belgium) you legally can't take anything that's fixed/bolted as it's juridically considered to be part of the house. I know it's different in the UK.

Surely, it’s going to cost them to replace the existing radiators and light fittings with different ones, or are they planning to leave you completely without any?

Up thread it was explained that the seller intends to remove the expensive radiators and replace them with bog standard (i.e. cheapo) ones.

As a few have said, standard cheap radiators are exceptionally unlikely to fit exactly the same as the existing ones so there's very likely to be a need for new holes in the floor to have the pipes coming up in the right place, almost definitely some redecoration, maybe work done to the flooring to cover the old holes, full boiler system balancing and check. It would also impact the energy survey if already done so that would have to be repeated. At a rough guess at least quite a few hundred and probably well into 4 figures before you factor in the cost of the new radiators themselves, plus the cost of having the old ones fitted in the seller's next property.

And no guarantees the work has been carried out by reputable workers either.

I guess it is reasonable of them but a bit unusual. I would offer them some cash to leave them. Might be a better prospect for them than making good of any removal they undertake (I’m fairly sure they have to make good any marks etc).

I think they're really cheeky. You bought the house based on how you liked the interior. The vendors are really naughty taking the radiators with them, I bet it wasn't disclosed at the time you were viewing the property that they'd be stripped out.
Reminds me of when I bought my cottage years ago, the guy selling it was such a tight arse, he took everything.
He would have taken wallpaper off the walls if he could have, the cf.

It's all part of a negotiation isn't it? You don't have to blindly accept what the other party puts on the form?

Pull out.... seems utterly ridiculous to me to take radiators and light fittings .... there are other houses.

Why go the extreme of pulling out and wasting money already spent on the process so far and not to mention risking a house sale that may be vital to the OP buying their property! They are replacing the fixtures and fittings, not leaving them without any. It's not fair on everyone else in the chain to pull out for trivial reasons.

You do understand that they are replacing the radiators and light fittings! Why cause such major disruption to your chain by pulling out over trivial things!

Exactly, so OP needs to temper her anger and get strategic.

It's not trivial. OP set her offer based on a house with nice rads. If that's not what she is now getting she's daft to pay the same amount. And she has absolutely no obligation to the rest of the chain to take a bad deal for their convenience.

Hey - perhaps the others in the chain could step in to buy the rads from the vendor for her so she can keep the current price? You know, to keep the chain going? I mean, that's just as reasonable as expecting her to suck up extra costs for them surely?

You do understand that they are replacing the radiators and light fittings! Why cause such major disruption to your chain by pulling out over trivial things!

If so trivial why would the seller cause such major disruption to the chain by suggesting it ? It might be OP doesn't need to move, the Budget is coming up and the very slow selling period pre and post Christmas, I wouldn't be as confident as the seller clearly is about the chances of OP taking the hit on this.

If you still want the property I’d either offer money for their radiators, or offer to supply your own at their cost to fit.
bit of a dick move on their part but it is what it is

Taking sconces - fine. But radiators, I would be fuming too tbh...
These are often very much tailored to space, unlikely they will be able to use all of it in the new place, so feels more like they are making effort to leave you with just the basics....or nudging you to up the offer so they leave those in...
Shitty move imo - I would pull out or reduce the offer - just say that the column radiators were part of the appeal and sorry..

Light fittings and mirror - normal
to take
radiators - not normal

Radiators and light fittings always used to remain. It’s not like washing machines or dishwashers where you would negotiate a price. I’ve never bought a property where rads and light fittings were removed. Pretty mean I would say.

I don't think you are being unreasonable, radiators are definitely normally remain!
Light fittings and wired in mirrors are usually left but equally can be taken.
I would be particularly furious about the radiators.
Did you pay asking price or near asking price? Often houses are pitched at selling a lifestyle and if they have high quality fittings then the price often reflects that.
I do understand why the owners want to take these high quality expensive items but I am gobsmacked about the radiators!

Radiators yes it’s weird and I would want to check what was being installed are they big enough for the room etc. light fittings fair game I brought some reasonable expensive ones which I like so if I move and it works in the house I’m going to then I will just be leaving a plain white flex and bulb. Mirror again wouldn’t expect mirrors to be left in the house wired or not.

They are definitely not supposed to take radiators. You should have received a list from the solicitor identifying all the fixtures and fittings which should be left in the house.

Typo of the thread ! Blessing the radiators 😍😇 No offence poster but it did make me smile 😊

I think I would want a bit more than bleeding the radiators after they were changed. As others have said, all damage to walls made good, full flush through and certification.

I don’t think it’s reasonable to take radiators. I would say the deal is off.

I would be severely unimpressed by this and would tell the EA this.

It is correct! The contract can be modified by the form, as you say, but when you assess a house to make an offer the legal presumption before the fittings and chattels form is filled in is that fixtures and fittings stay but unattached chattels are not included. Certainly the form can modify this, for instance carpets and curtains can be left, or fitted appliances can be taken. But the original offer is, unless otherwise stated at the time of viewing, on the basis that fixtures and fittings are included in the sale.

Edit: what would you say if someone filled in the fixtures form to say they wanted to take the roof tiles with them? This would be a valid term of the contract, but not acceptable to most people at the original price.

I’d be a bit narked at them taking the radiators and the light fittings……not so much the mirror though. Have you considered asking for a reduction in the price?