AIBU to expect the fire basket to be part of the deal?

[BeatriceBee]

Have just got the keys to our new house and discovered that, not only had the vendors taken the light bulbs from all the bedrooms, they have also taken the fire basket and back from the fireplace. We are not too worried about the light bulbs, but is it normal to take the fire basket, thereby making the fireplace unusable? Not surprisingly it wasn't specifically mentioned in the sale documents as being included in the sale, but we believed it was part of the working fireplace and never expected it would be taken away. Should we get our solicitor to approach the vendors about this or would we be wasting our time and only succeed in increasing their bill?

Ask your solicitor. The basket is easy to replace but taking the back is removing a fixture. Try going via the EA to get them to return them. Speak to your solicitor. Why do some people behave like this? I would say they are betting on you not pursuing it.

Well they sound pleasant! However, if its not mentioned you might be on a sticky wicket. I had a firebasket and back in my last place and the back wasn't fixed, so could have easily been removed - although I didn't, I left them in situ.
I would enquire, but I wouldn't think it's worth paying solicitor fees to chase it. Spending your money on a new basket and back would be better.

Awful! I knew some people who took the woodburner from their house because it wasn't specifically mentioned on the form!

It will probably cost you more to seek redress than buying new.

Unless it's nailed down I'd always assume a fixture isn't staying. I put fire baskets in this category. Agree with other posters, your time would be better spent getting a fire basket to your taste.

There is a special place in hell reserved for vendors who remove lightbulbs.

I actually would take the fire basket if our new property had an open fire. My mums basket is antique and has been passed down as a family heirloom and if you buy a new build with a working chimney as we did, the builders would not provide the basket. Similarly the back of the fire place would depend on what it was, it could have been an ornate backing that they had specifically chosen and bought. You don't actually need them for the fireplace to work as long as the chimney is properly lined etc. Although obviously its better if you do have it.

However as a word of warning I would get it checked out before using it, a friend of mine ended up with a chimney fire the first time he lit it in his new home as the lining needed redoing and it hadn't been swept.

I've seen fixtures and fittings described as anything that would stay put if you turned the house upside down and shook it. Under that definition I'd guess the fire basket is fair game, but not the back of the fireplace. Is it mentioned in your F&F list?

I'd put the basket down to experience but not so sure about the back of the fireplace.

Thanks for your messages everyone. I guess I need to put it down to experience, but next time we move I will definitely be asking more questions!