fixtures and fittings - what if they turn out crap?

[ClueLessFirstTime]

just moved - finally.

agreed on a sensible price for fixtures and fittings.
ALL the appliances were not working properly.
washer needs a part replaced that can't be sourced because it's discontinued (but works after the filter has been cleaned); frigdge/freezer mouldy beyond a good scrub (I really tried); only one of the ovens work; knobs of the cooker broken/missing; internal doors missing.

is there any chance of a comeback? I feel a bit cheated...

Surely you would have noticed all this when you looked around? Knobs missing, fridge mouldy etc

no, on viewing everything looked fine.

You should have had a good look at what you were intending before you agreed to it. Fair enough, you'd never know the washer was duff, but a fridge so neglected it can't be used and cooker knobs missing are very easy to spot.

on viewing the cooker knobs were all there and the fridge was a bit manky but not that bad. house was empty for two months because it took sooo long to exchange/complete.

How much did you pay for fixtures and fittings and were these the only ones included?

we paid 1500 for modular kitchen + appliances, window shutters/blinds/curtains (all in good condition), lighting/lampshades (ok as well), garden shed and lawnmower/tools (good condition).

Sounds like you got a reasonable deal though. Did you have a viewing before exchange ? Were they allegedly working, complete and recently serviced ? If so then you can try to claim but probably not worthwhile.

When we bought our flat we had 5 days in which to report any problems or complaints (cue me trying to bleed a non-working radiator and practically flooding the place ). Did you have something like this in your agreement? Can you check with your solicitor/estate agent?

the cooker was included in the gas safe check (and passed), but the rest not. house was tenanted if that is important.
the f/f list just lists the items, but not that they are working.

In that case suspect it would be caveat emptor, sorry. Vendor may not have even been aware of issues. Gas safety check wouldn't concern missing knobs (which are inexpensive on ebay or espares). I'd get a second opinion on the washer as some are quick to dismiss parts as obsolete if appliance is 10+years old

Hmmm yes I suspect it is buyer beware - no warranty with that kind of purchase. Sorry to hear about it - must be so infuriating and much hassle. :(

I'd say for 1500 you got a bargain! Frustrating it's not exactly as you wanted, but when you work out how much you would have to pay to get all of those things yourself...! (remember spending £5k very quickly upon moving into new property on things like fixtures and fittings!)

I've never paid a seperate price for fixtures and fittings. Is that commonly done now?

It is a bit of a grey area, after all how many people would really bother to relocate kitchen units or a shed. We once offered on a property inclusive of a summer house but the vendors went with someone prepared to pay extra for it ! It may be that the offer was x for property then y for fittings etc once it became clearer what would be available for negotiation. Sometimes it is a deliberate ploy to avoid paying Stamp Duty on the whole sum paid or get it into a lower rate band, sometimes to ensure the valuation of the property for mortgage purposes is achieved, or in other instances as may well be the case here the vendor could take things but would rather not or already has them in situ in the next property and is having to do similar themselves. If the price agreed falls just below a SD threshold HMRC may look into it if they think costing f & f separately has been used to reduce the price and thereby avoid tax.