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Original poster

Charging for items left when you sell house?

39 replies

CoffeeMum · 04/04/2011 10:40

What's the general rule of thumb here? If you're leaving things in your house, such as blinds, curtains, washing machine etc, do you charge for them, and if so how much for? Is that considered a bit tight?

We have quite a few sets of shelves that are fitted to nooks and alcoves in our house that we obviously won't be able to fit into our new house, but they are a really nice thing for the buyers to have, so i'm inclined to make a charge. Would this be okay do you think?

Would be interested to hear what others have done in this situation, thank you! Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
CoffeeMum · 04/04/2011 14:16

crystalglasses that's awful behaviour Sad - but you do just let these things go when you've got to deal with moving house don't you?

OP posts:
maggiethecat · 04/04/2011 14:24

They may have been referring to white goods

Original poster
CoffeeMum · 04/04/2011 14:29

Hi maggie Smile They were asking about the white goods too, but they specifically asked about two sets of built-in shelves, so i know they weren't assuming that they'd be staying.

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ChristinedePizan · 04/04/2011 15:45

Well I guess they might be 1st time buyers so not know the form either :). I bought a flat once and the vendor wanted to charge me 3 grand for the fitted carpets. I told her to take them but funnily enough she left them - presumably after being told by the EA that she couldn't leave bare concrete floors! And no, I didn't bother forwarding on her post

VivaLeBeaver · 05/04/2011 16:29

I would take light fittings with me for sure. I've got a £300 central light fitting in one room which I love and I'm not leaving it behind. You're allowed to take them.

When we bought this house the vendor asked if I wanted to buy her 20 year old gas oven. I said no and she said she'd leave it anyway as didn't want to pay to have it disconnected. I thought fine, it'll do until we have a new kitchen put in. I was gutted to move in and find she'd taken it. I think the mardy cow did it 'cos we dropped our offer by 1k afetr the crappy survey. I had to manage with no oven for 6 months!

tyler80 · 05/04/2011 17:42

Things like light fittings I'd expect to stay unless stated otherwise, along with carpets, built in stuff.

Carpets, blinds etc. I'd expect to go uness stated otherwise

ChristinedePizan · 05/04/2011 17:55

It depends what the light fittings are - very expensive ones, yes. Cheapos, no. You have to leave someone some kind of light fitting - bare wires are not okay.

crystalglasses · 05/04/2011 18:00

Yes but surely you should tell your buyers that you are taking your expensive light fittings?

higgle · 05/04/2011 18:18

When we bought our house before this one the vendors wanted extra for some carpets, shelves and other bits and pieces. We said no, as we were goig to renovate and didn't really want their tat. In the end they left it all in place anyway, and we had the hassle of removing it anc chucking it out.

Pancakeflipper · 05/04/2011 18:26

When we bought this house the seller left us curtains, shower curtain, and a tray with 2 cups,coffee, tea and biscuits.

We didn't pay extra.

I wouldn't pay for fitted shelves. And I wouldn't expect a buyer to pay anything to the fitted expensive oak shelves we have in the alcoves of our lounge. We wanted them and had use out of them.

TBH - packing is such a drag it's easier to leave stuff.

My friend once moved house and they took everything including the draught excluders round the door and letterbox.

VivaLeBeaver · 05/04/2011 18:38

I seem to remember having to fill out a form saying what we were taking or leaving. So I said Ill take the expensive fittings and leave cheaper ones in place.

FattyAcid · 05/04/2011 18:50

You can ask your buyer if they would like to buy these items and negotiate a price if so - that's how it is done.

Batteryhuman · 05/04/2011 19:05

Our seller wanted to charge £900 for the curtains and curtain rails. We made an offer just for the curtain rails but the moo took the lot, leaving holes in the walls. I know where she was moving to and they would not have fitted in her new house. She even took the bloody wheely bin with the house number painted on it and property of the council embossed on the side.

Original poster
CoffeeMum · 06/04/2011 07:26

Thanks for all your replies. We've informed the buyers that we'll be leaving everything discussed free of charge - best thing all round. DH completely convinced by all arguments here - he just wanted to know the score. Wasn't too impressed by being called an arse though Grin

Thanks again for your posts - v.helpful!

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