Vendors taking dishwasher and fridge - I don't agree!

[Deadsouls]

So briefly as it's a bit boring, however, DH and I have never gone through the process of buying a house before so aren't sure.

So we are in the process of buying a house. We are paying at the top end of the market for a 3 bed property in the area because the kitchen has been completely done, new boiler, bespoke units, stone floor, new paint etc..

Anyway we offered asking price, accepted etc. So now we hear that they are taking the fridge freezer and dishwasher. They are integrated into the design of the kitchen IYKWIM....I am not quite happy with this as the reason we are paying the money we are is because the kitchen/diner was the big attraction of the house and on viewings we were shown these appliances.

They are taking washing machine and I can understand that as it's freestanding but I think the other things should be included.

I raised this and the vendor's estate agent said she'd put it to them and she thinks it's going to work out in our favour and not to worry about it. But stupidly on the phone I didn't say, 'can I have that confirmed?' or in writing. I think the estate agent just says things because she's desperate for the sale to go through as the last buyers pulled out. I have the feeling she's waiting just for us to do the survey, then more committed then she'll say actually you have to pay extra.

How do we proceed? I know it seems a small point, but the reason we are paying more is for the work done and were not expecting the vendors to start taking parts of the kitchen away. Not to mention the units are bespoke not off the shelf and we have to get appliances to fit the spaces..

WWYD

What does it say on the sales particulars?

We only got to see the online sales particulars and it said only 'kitchen/diner' bespoke units etc, but didn't mention the fridge or dishwasher but didn't mention the integrated hob, but they aren't taking that.
And also I was shown the integrated fridge, dishwasher on viewings

I would drop your offer to reflect it.

But it's a high risk strategy - are you prepared to lose the house? Is it a complete deal breaker?

If they're integrated appliances it seems odd that they're taking them - are they hidden behing mathcing doors IYKWIM? If so you wont change the look of the kitchen by putting your own appliances in - but you'll have to bear the costs so I would try to get it off the purchase price.

Tell agent before you proceed you want confirmation of what's included. Seem non desperate and willing to leave it.
Give a deadline of close of play tues unless the agent is working tomorrow in which case Monday is reasonable.

Check

Fridge/dishwasher.
Ask about curtain poles/fitted wardrobes.

A friend if mine had all the above ripped out including toilet roll holder.

If it came as part of the deal, it would have been listed specifically as dishwasher, oven, whatever.

If it wasn't listed separately, you can go back to them and offer more money for them to leave the items you want. In my experience, vendors will usually agree to this, as it is less hassle and leans they get cash to get new appliances in their new house. But it is their house.

If you want the stuff, make them an offer for it.

Hi doradoo, yes the appliances are behind doors, so I guess you have to get the exact same dimensions....

Agree that this sort of thing is vexing. Do you think it's because they are hoping to extract some money for them from you? Have you had your survey done yet? That is guaranteed to throw up some issues. If they are only minor, you could say you won't ask them to drop the price if they include the items in the sale. Of course, if there are major problems you'd be wanting to renegotiate the price of the house.

I've seen light fittings removed too. So sometimes you need to check even fixtures, rather than just appliances - some will specify 'including all fixtures and fittings', some won't.

For example, our house is on the market, and I will be taking the overhead lights with me. I have the original ones in the garage, so they will be put back up, but I am deffo taking the ones we fitted. The estate agent knows this. Curtain rails are another interesting one. We have blinds, so it isn't pertinent here, but yep, some people do take the curtain poles too.

It's very important to get a clear idea of what you have agreed to, and make sure you understand the written stuff before you sign it.

But definitely all of the appliances will have been listed sep if they are included in the sale.

Most appliances come in standard sizes so getting replacements shouldn't be too much of a problem,

If they are behind the doors, I'm pretty sure you'll be able to come to an agreement. But yep, either offer more money, or do a deal on the survey findings.

Hiya roxy - no have not had survey done yet. They are trying to sell us some blinds in the kitchen and bedroom. I think the vendors are genuinely nice people but I suppose this kind of transaction, sale of house, makes people behave differently. I don't know if they want more money.have to wait and see. As for renegotiating price I guess have to wait and see. I am a bit crap at these things though,never done this before and am the kind of person who only thinks afterwards what I should have said.....

Anything not part of the house structure can be taken unless it was a agreed as a condition of sale. In practice most people don't remove door handles, light bulbs etc etc

They are entitled to take the items.

that said you are entitled to withdraw your offer, but you should be tactful how you do this as really you should have said at the time it was a condition of the offer so you need to be aware they could think you are getting difficult and it could strain relations and de-rail the sale.

Thanks madwoman - can I ask is it standard that you renegotiate on the survey findings? How on earth do you know how much you are supposed to ask for off, much less decipher a survey?

If the appliances are good quality and new it is more likely they never intended to sell them than they are playing games to extract more money!

Appliances are pretty standard size wise, so you are unlikely to struggle much to get replacements, it will just be slightly inconvenient. However, it is annoying for you, and a bit odd, as in my experience, fitted appliances have always been included in the sale. I'd suggest asking the vendors how much money they would want in order to leave the appliances. Then you can either accept or make your own offer. If the last sale feel through, they may well be flexible.

I hope they will leave the matching doors! Even if still available the colour on new ones may be slightly different. We have fitted an old door front to a new dishwasher, it was not as easy as if it had been new but yes, the appliances should be standard sizes. I'd double check though.

I have quite a lot of experience in property sales and have to say this is the first time I have heard of vendors attempting to take integrated appliances with them. I don't think you should be offering extra money yet. You should go back to the Estate Agent, in writing, and state that your offer was based on having a complete kitchen and you were shown the integrated appliances when viewing and were at no point warned that they were going to be removed. Ask them to get a definitive answer from the vendors and to confirm to you in writing what their final position is. Then you can think again.

Hi ginpalace - yes in retrospect I shouldv'e made the offer saying all kitchen appliances to be included. It didn't come to my mind, and as mentioned have not done this before so am a bit clueless about it all...

Thanks bibbity that is very helpful, I have already raised this on the phone with the agent so feel a bit silly doing it in writing again, but you're right in that it is always better to have things in writing and also I can sound less flustered and more formal in writing - so is email sufficient?

To be honest, I disagree with Ginpalace. If the integrated kitchen appliances are not intended to be part of the sale then both the vendor and the Estate Agent should have flagged this up when viewings were taking place. Because it is absolutely the norm for these things to be left behind.

I was just about to say exactly what bibbty has posted above.
It seems very odd to me, integrated appliances are part of a kitchen IMO, just liked a fitted oven/hob and should stay with the property.

It would be quite costly for you to have new integrated appliances fitted and the doors fitted on these. I think it is also key that you were shown these applances when you looked round.

I would do as bibbity suggests, in writing, word for word!

Yes, email will be fine.

Thanks

Dead, I don't think it's anything to do with them wanting more money, trying to be pernickety etc, etc, not 'making people behave differently'.... it's merely about the stuff they want to take with them, and have sorted in their head where it will all go in the new place.

The lightbulb and bog roll crew are a completely different kettle of fish.

This stuff is perfectly normal in house sales. It's just necessary to clarify.

Definitely try to negotiate buying them . tbh it will save themthe hassle of removing them and reinstalling - but as pp said they can be costly. Our replacement fridge freezer was about £700 on order to match the specific split of the doors and housing plus almost £100 to have it fitted. Dishwashers are also more than standalone equivalents although not so tricky to fit.