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 took my radiators with me when I moved as the standing ones are bloody expensive and my buyer didn’t pay for them”

Unless you told your buyer up front before they offered then they had offered to buy them - along with the rest of the bricks/windows/doors/bathroom/kitchen as included in their offer for the “house”.

What makes you think your buyer didn’t pay for the radiators but did pay for the front door or toilet?

I'd be worried what else they might try to do. How much do you want THIS house? I'd definitely look at getting a reduction in price or challenge the solicitor over the contract. When I have purchased properties, fixtures and fittings have been included as part of the contract. Though in this case, they are at least letting you know what they won't include - but I don't know if this is reasonable.

Honestly if I had really nice light fittings and radiators I'd be raki t them too. They're not been cheeky taking these .

It must have been in the paperwork as you have to tick boxes as to what you are including and excluding in each room.

The standard fixtures and fittings list from the solicitor is a give away. Ours listed light fittings as standard but not radiators, as it’s not usual for them to be included. I’m moving and I’m also gutted about leaving our column radiators, but to be fair they are so heavy (one took four men to lift) that the effort of taking them out isn’t worth it.

Assuming you are in England, Wales or NI, an offer made and accepted is not binding on either party until exchange.

You make an offer based on what you think the house is worth given what you believe you would be getting based on the viewing(s) you have done.

Then the period between offer accepted and exchange is for you to gather as much information as you can about what you would actually be getting, including clarifying exactly what the sellers plan to remove.

So take the "should" out of it. Take the emotion out of it. Maybe they should leave the rads and maybe they shouldn't, but since you have not legally committed to anything yet this is just a pricing discussion.

All that really matters pre-exchange is whether more accurate information about what you will be buying changes what you think the house is worth.

If it does, you make a new offer. They will either accept it or not.

"We assumed the rads would be left and the house required very little decorative work and that is reflected in our original offer. As that is not the case we are changing our offer to X to reflect the cost and time of buying and installing replacements, the risk of finding good contractors for the work and possibility the cost, time and risk of redecorating after."

If they don't accept it but still plan to take the rads, it is then with you to decide whether the house is still the one you want at a price you are prepared to pay.

This isn't throwing your toys out of the pram; literally the whole point of gettiing this info from the seller before the sale is finalised is so that you can resolve any misapprehensions about what is included.

Radiators are fixtures and fittings as are light fittings and bathroom mirror.
Strongly object they are chancing their arm. Fixtures and fittings are classed as anything that remains in place if house was turned up side down.
What happens if they damage walls etc when removing said fixtures .who is responsible for fixing?

They're taking the radiators they paid a lot of money for and replacing them, you still have radiators.

Of course they're taking the marble fittings etc, those things cost a fortune and they want them in thier new house. Buy your own if you're that bothered.

Have you ever bought a house before? There's no need for anger here, the only appropriate anger would be from the sellers if you ask them to leave their expensive fixtures behind just because you like them.

The mirror, we got a huge blue tooth, light up one and it was from amazon, it looks fitted but it isn't really. They arent much money in the scheme of house purchasing. So I wouldnt be bothered about the mirror.
Radiators is weird.

Radiators is a bit weird... but I guess if they are replacing them then... I would just kind of accept it.

Youre really only buying the house so any fixtures and fittings are extra and shouldn't just be expected

I don’t think it’s normal to take the rads and that would annoy me, but everything else fine

Your bookcase is a chattel not a fixture. A radiator is a fixture. This is all basic conveyancing stuff, and I'm very surprised you don't know this.

That's a bit odd. I understand the mirror but are they going to repair and paint the areas that are left when they remove the radiators and light fittings? If it's a paint that is no longer available it's going to look awful.

Have a chuckle to yourself that radiators that are removed after being in use tend to rust VERY fast. Imagine them fitting these in another home and leaks appearing everywhere 😂😂

We researched this when our daughter was buying a property and had similar issue. Apparently a fixture and fitting is easily defined as something that would stay in place if the house was turned upside down!

If it were my purchase, I’d get solicitor to kick up about the radiators. If you’ve had your survey done then it won’t include the new radiators, so take that line. Leave the other items and let them take.

YANBU taking radiators is really weird. Would you even get to see what they were being replaced with? it could lead to redecorating being needed. And it's very stingy and out of order. I'd consider pulling out over it.

When you offer on a house, you've likely taken into account size, location, condition and decorative finish. Replacing styling radiators will cheap basic ones should therefore warrant a lower sale price adjusted to reflect.

I'd also be very concerned about the level of care used to install them - possible leaks, decorative damage etc.

In short I'd not be at all happy with this and I'd consider pulling out of the purchase.

This is not the case! The TA10 is the list to which you refer and it also includes roof insulation, boiler, immersion heater etc. Unless you are suggesting its usual for these to be removed . . .
The purpose of the TA10 is to to ensure absolute clarity and unambiguity in the draft contract so that all parties are absolutely certain what is and is not included in the sale.

You're not being unreasonable about the radiators. Price up the replacement to bring it back up to the spec you believed you were buying, reduce your offer by that amount. Complain to the sellers agents if this information wasn't made clear at the time of viewings.

Back out. Tell them why. You might be able to compromise

You expect furniture, fridges etc to go.

Carpets, probably, to stay.

Hot tub, probably to go but a garden shed to stay.

It does seem odd to remove radiators etc. Not unlike taking a kitchen out?

Unless they are plumbers the total labour costs + budget radiators will be comparable with just getting new ones at their next home.

They've been honest about what they are taking. You can reduce your offer if you want to in light of this, but you'd risk losing the house, which is what you are buying.

I 100% expect they’re the kind of people that are just trying to get some extra money and would leave the radiators behind if you say you’re not paying for them. But then again, they could also be the kind of people that will rip them off the walls and leave electrical wires and plumbing hanging. Either way, it’s not a good omen.

I don't think I would ever get so attached to a radiator that I would take it with me if I moved.

Imagine the faff.

Talk to your solicitor. I would expect fixtures to be left unless otherwise stated.