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Original poster

An I being unreasonable to even ask our buyer this?

59 replies

hooliodancer · 31/10/2016 20:08

We have a buyer for our house. For background- We got a higher offer, but chose this offer because she was in a better position. We said there was a bit of work to do which would show up on the survey, about 3k, we wouldn't knock off the price as we had accepted a lower offer. She was really delighted when we accepted her offer as she really really loves the house. She was even more delighted when, in the second viewing, we showed her a second, very large garden (which we rent from a farmer for a peppercorn rent) that the agent had forgotten to show her!

So the thing I want to ask her... We have a sink vanity freestanding unit thing in our bathroom that cost 3k. It matches our bathroom cabinet, which was 1k. I bought them because I thought we would never move, and because the bathroom is very small- the size of an en suite really.

I want to ask her if I can take the vanity unit and replace it with a very similar one from Victoria Plum. We are taking the cabinet anyway, it's on the form that it's not included. So her bathroom cabinet won't match the vanity unit anyway.

Am I being cheeky? She hasn't mentioned she likes it or anything, and it isnt named in the details. I thought I could say I am just asking in case she doesn't really like it but am happy to leave it.

The house is a tiny cottage, I know I overspent on the bathroom, it was a little inheritance I had and I wanted a bit of luxury!

OP posts:
GizmoFrisby · 01/11/2016 07:00

We have recently bought a house and on the fixtures and fitting list you can say what's included etc.
Like carpets/light fittings/blinds etc. It's up to you what you choose to take. However on ours we noticed they were taking the fridge freezer so we offered to buy it as it was perfectly matched with the kitchen and they were happy to sell it to us for a reasonable price. I'd just put it in there and then your covered. If it's free standing I think you will be fine to take it anyways however if she doesn't know it's freestanding she may be shocked to move in finding it gone??

wooooofudge · 01/11/2016 07:48

It's not as though it's an old washstand used as a chest of drawers though is it? The sink is plumbed in. I think it would be best to let her know you intend to swap it for a cheaper version, but be prepared for her to say she is unhappy with that.

PotteringAlong · 01/11/2016 07:52

I'd expect cupboards screwed onto the wall to be staying - you'll need to be specific on your fixtures and fittings list.

Ilovewillow · 01/11/2016 08:00

If it's freestanding you are entitled to take it. However, if it has the basin plumbed in the buyer may think it's staying so I would certainly mention that it's going to give her the heads up. You are certainly not unreasonable in wanting to take it!

Original poster
hooliodancer · 01/11/2016 08:01

Gosh, I really didn't think a cupboard screwed to the wall would be expected to be left. That counts as furniture to me. I have, for example, a Victorian cupboard in my utility room. Are you saying that should stay? Kitchen cupboards as part of a fitted kitchen should obviously stay, but there is a hanging rack for pans, a plate rack . Should they stay?

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 01/11/2016 08:05

I'd just talk to her.
Why get involved in all the sneaky shit and fretting about whether screwed to the wall is free standing or not. Just tell her what you want to do and, if she is nice and excited about the house, I bet she'll be pleased to say yes.

Why make it nit picky and adversarial - just ask her.

GeorgeTheThird · 01/11/2016 08:06

Things fastened to walls can be expected to stay, yes. You need to clarify ASAP. We put on our actual details "(not included)" on a couple of things to avoid this exact confusion.

KoalaDownUnder · 01/11/2016 08:19

You need to talk to your conveyancer and/or lawyer.

People tend to misunderstand how this works, and yes, it can cause legal issues.

Do not just take the cabinet, as some posters have advised.

MistresssIggi · 01/11/2016 08:19

I have some things fastened to the wall I'd want to take, but they are only fastened with those things to stop them tipping into children. Hopefully they don't count! When I've put up shelves I have known I couldn't take them with me, other than if I removed them before marketing the house (think of all the holes in the wall you are planning to leave!)

Floggingmolly · 01/11/2016 08:30

I'm probably misunderstanding exactly what the piece of furniture is... Blush. How can it be both "freestanding" and be fixed to the wall with a sink plumbed into it? I though it was a literal cupboard which just happened to match the bathroom in design.
Can you post a pic, op? Confused

Floggingmolly · 01/11/2016 08:31

Lots of people with young children fix heavy items of furniture to the walls for safety. It doesn't make them part of the fixtures and fittings.

averythinline · 01/11/2016 08:32

a vanity unit with a plumbed in sink I would expect to be as I saw it when looking - thats not freestanding.....I really would not expect a different one - as you say you've done the bathroom really nicely therefore that's what I would think I was buying..whats in the photos?
I would also expect the cupboard in the bathroom probably - and screwed in shelves ..our seller took them out and made a right mess .....wall full of holes..unless you're planning to replaster/make good..

Original poster
hooliodancer · 01/11/2016 09:16

It looks like a freestanding cupboard, but the sink is plumbed into it at the back. So it looks like a bedside table with a bowl on top. I know I should leave it as it is the bathroom sink, I was asking if it would be awful to ask her if I could swap it for one almost the same.

But as for cupboards bolted to the wall... I have lots (small house!) most are antique. Surely it's not expected to leave those behind?!

The bathroom cabinet, hmm I see the point about that. But on the fixtures list it lists bathroom cabinet and asks you to tick yes or no if it's included. So it can't be the rule it stays can it?

OP posts:
CotswoldStrife · 01/11/2016 09:43

You need to talk to your conveyancer really - if you tipped the house upside down whatever moves you can take! So stuff attached to the walls can reasonably be expected to be left. The way you are describing it, it sounds as if you are taking a lot out of the place after agreeing the price and refusing to lower it for any reason!

I don't think anyone would expect the bathroom sink to be taken!

InfiniteSheldon · 01/11/2016 09:53

Honestly you need to take a breath these sound like fixtures and fitting any reasonable person would have looked at your bathroom and expected these to be included. The price you have agreed on would reasonably be expected to include them. They probably won't fit in your new home, you say yourself that they were bought specifically for this bathroom don't be that person just leave them and make sure to buy something specific for your new home to label as the inheritance.

Artistic · 01/11/2016 10:03

I would disagree with those who say 'everything fitted' should stay. For example a lot of people have wall mounted TVs and speakers, paintings & mirrors. These are not 'mandatory' to leave behind. When we bought our house the seller took away a bathroom mirror that she'd spent good money on. And we bought most of her furniture anyways! I would say make the F&F list carefully & make sure it says 'only the above items will be left behind' or something to that effect. Please don't leave behind cabinets that are precious to you. I've never seen that happen ( other than kitchen cabinets). Do take your sink with you & replace it with a similar looking functional one. Unless the buyer objects to something don't raise any questions. She's probably happy enough to have the house despite being the lower offer!

kirinm · 01/11/2016 10:06

As a buyer I think I'd have expected the sink to have been left - in fact I absolutely would. But as for cupboards etc, no I wouldn't.

I agree with a PP. Don't enter into devious behaviour, just ask.

My2centsworth · 01/11/2016 10:08

Goodness I was going to say the same as you OP but I can see the others perspectives here. I think you need to chat with the purchaser directly and agree. I saw this going absolutely pear shaped recently for a friend's house sale. It is worth having the discussion.

YelloDraw · 01/11/2016 10:12

Sink - yes. But not necessarily the nice cupboard the sink is sitting on top of.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 01/11/2016 10:12

You need to specify what you are intending to take and leave as soon as possible - it's fine to deviate from the standard if you want to take your cupboards as they are antique, or for any other reason, but the buyer may then want to negotiate on price. The same is true for the sink - you can negotiate. You need to start that process so everyone knows what to expect.

AGruffaloCrumble · 01/11/2016 10:15

I would expect cupboards to be left behind unless you stated otherwise beforehand. And the bathroom sink is not freestanding and it's not the one you sold her. Talk to her, but expect her to be unhappy about it.

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/11/2016 10:15

As many have said you need to talk to your buyer. But I personally would expect a vanity unit to stay - it is very much part of the bathroom.

And if you do remove cupboards/cabinets which are attached to walls I thought you were meant to make good the walls too.

I'm in the process of renovating my house and am having a pretty £££ marble topped vanity unit with double sinks installed. It honestly wouldn't occur to me to take them when we eventually sell.

But clearly this thread demonstrates we all have different views of what are fixtures and fittings Wink

AGruffaloCrumble · 01/11/2016 10:23

Definitely make good of the walls if you do take them! My seller left us giant craters. Even one in the ceiling.

Purplehonesty · 01/11/2016 10:27

Swap it now for a cheaper one

Say you dropped something on the other one and it broke if she notices....Grin

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/11/2016 10:34

Really don't swap it for a cheaper one and not tell the buyer.

Talk to the buyer.

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