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Original poster

FTB buying a house from a divorcing couple - is it weird if we ask for furniture they don't want?

27 replies

Istory · 23/09/2020 08:34

Just that, really. I thought that if they were getting rid of things like the fridge, lightshades etc then I'm sure we'd be happy to take them rather than them getting thrown away. But is it really vulture-like? We want your house + your furniture?

If we did ask, should it be an informal request through the estate agent or formal through our solicitor?

OP posts:
lookatmememe · 23/09/2020 08:38

Ask if there's an option to buy furnished or part furnished via the estate agents as a start point. This will get them thinking about any bits they may wish you sell.

Evenstar · 23/09/2020 08:40

I think it would be cheeky to expect anything for free, but there would be no harm approaching them informally via the estate agent to enquire if they were interested in selling any items. I was asked when I sold my dad’s house after he died and made a list with prices, it went informally through the estate agent and they left a cheque when they collected the keys.

HeyBlaby · 23/09/2020 08:40

We aren't first time buyers but are buying a bigger home, the couple have split up and are going their separate ways into smaller rented accommodation, he has already mentioned a few things he might have to leave or sell (American fridge freezer, large corner sofa etc)

We will need quite a bit more 'stuff' than we have now, and I am far from too proud to ask what they are wanting rid of and agree a price!

I was going to agree prices informally, this is only our second house purchase though so perhaps there is a better way?

ComtesseDeSpair · 23/09/2020 08:40

Not vulture like, just ask your solicitor to make the request. I’ve just sold my flat with most of the furniture (to an investor who obviously just wants to move tenants straight into a furnished let) and it worked out well - they felt they got a good deal by offering asking price in return for getting something “extra” thrown in, I wasn’t especially attached to it and it saved me from having to arrange a big removal van and means I get to choose stuff which suits my new place better.

Karwomannghia · 23/09/2020 08:41

Normally you fill in a questionnaire about fixtures and fittings you intend to leave but it’s absolutely fine to ask them if there are specific things you would be interested in buying. We did that and also said just leave anything else you don’t want. We bought a sofa, dining table and chairs and she left 3 big mirrors.

HeeeeyDuggee · 23/09/2020 08:43

Opposite scenario here but I left things for our buyers a few years ago. We’d just had a brand new fridge freezer / washer dryer and curtains throughout the house. We saw a a house on a wim and fell in love so sold ours. I asked the estate agent to ask the buyers if they wanted me to include the White goods and curtains in the sale (new house had blinds and integrated white goods).

You could always ask the estate agent to enquire but they may charge you for the bits (we didn’t charge extra for ours but I know people who have!)

gretagreengrapes · 23/09/2020 08:45

When we went for a second viewing after our offer was accepted we said we were FTB moving in with nothing and they had already listed things they were wanting to leave / get rid of anyway! Like wardrobes in every bedroom! So it's worth mentioning it / asking about it.

CousinDolores · 23/09/2020 08:46

I've always been happy to leave wardrobes, because they're such a pain to get back down stairs and into a van. My last house came with two 'free' wardrobes that I think had probably been left by the previous-previous vendor!

CherryPavlova · 23/09/2020 08:46

Our son is moving from a flat into a house today. The previous owner has moved to Canada into military accommodation, so had to streamline possessions for storage.
My son was gifted a two year old American style fridge freezer, a washing machine and drier, all blinds, a double bed, garden furniture and a large television. All in good condition. All free.

Letsnotargue · 23/09/2020 08:47

Have your solicitor raise it with theirs - takes any potential awkwardness out of it. Unlike when I moved out of my unfurnished rented flat: the letting agent asked me in front of the new tenant “Is there anything you could leave behind for the family? They don’t have much furniture and would have to buy new otherwise.” So would I if I gave them my stuff! I know what she was getting at but she handled it completely wrong.

Mintjulia · 23/09/2020 08:48

If they are divorcing, they are probably trying to raise two deposits for separate homes. Offering them £100 for items they don't want won't be unwelcome.

ConcernedAboutWarrington · 23/09/2020 08:50

Perfectly normal.

We have both bought and sold various items in these situations.

awesomeaircraft · 23/09/2020 09:05

It is a standard question, even when sellers are not divorcing.

Just put question via solicitor. They will know how to word it.

Sacados · 23/09/2020 09:08

Yes, this is completely normal.

You can ask them to let you know if there is anything they might be interested in selling, and for how much.

I think there is a Fixtures and Fittings form which they will need to fill in as part of the house sale, which covers things like curtains etc (whether they are being left, and whether they would be charged for or free).

When we bought our current house, we were upsizing and our sellers were downsizing. They sold us a lot of stuff and also left other (lower value) stuff for free because they didn't want to bother moving it (make sure you agree exactly what is being left, though - you don't want to be landed with a lot of old junk to take to the dump). I even asked about some chairs which they hadn't mentioned (they went really well with the room), which was a bit cheeky, but they had a think about it and decided that actually they would like to sell those as well!

It can benefit both parties. And in a way it's a compliment to the sellers as well, because it shows you admire their taste or at least don't hate it !

BluntAndToThePoint80 · 23/09/2020 09:32

When we bought our last house, we made our offer conditional upon them leaving a few bits. Essentially all the wired in tv/electronic systems (all built in) and a leather sofa, chair and table from the kitchen. Those kitchen items fitted perfectly into the space and decor (bit unusual) and would have been unlikely to suit anywhere else and hard for us to replace.

If it’s an odd bit, I would have asked. If you’ve already shared a price, just ask if they were thinking of leaving / selling any bits. The worst they can do is say no. I wouldn’t mind anyone asking me.

Clymene · 23/09/2020 09:45

Just ask your solicitors to mention you'd be interested. They will list anything on the fixtures and fittings that is included in the sale price and individual items they will sell and at what price. You cam them choose what you want and what you don't. Anything you don't want they have to take.

Hotwaterbottlelove · 23/09/2020 12:20

It's very normal for bits of furniture to be part of the sale. We are buying a house right now and they have practically begged us to take the spare bed washing machine and dryer as it saves them a trip to the dump or attempts to sell.

SauvignonGrower · 23/09/2020 15:06

Yes quite normal. I'd enquire in advance of the furnishing form because it might affect what they ask for when they buy.

We left fridge, curtains, shades and arranged for the people we bought from to do the same. Worked very well.

justasking111 · 23/09/2020 15:09

We bought furniture from people who were selling. They were downsizing. DIL bought almost every stick of furniture from her sellers, wife died dad in care, she sold it on or disposed of it when she could afford things more to her taste. It meant she got a great deal on the house because it meant the distant relatives did not have that worry. So yes ask.

user1471538283 · 23/09/2020 17:26

Yes do so via your solicitor. I bought a dining set from our vendors before last. I've just asked my solicitor if my buyer wants our washer and large wardrobe at no cost

unmarkedbythat · 23/09/2020 17:38

When my mum and dad bought the last house we all lived in together it was a probate sale and the heirs didn't want to be bothered taking most of it away; they asked my parents so politely and tentatively would they possibly be interested in any of the items at all and my mum was jumping up and down to have as much of it as possible. Funny thing was, we moved in to find they had left some beds, wardrobes, dressing tables, rugs, etc, but removed all the light bulbs. It was genuinely really, really funny.

CherryPavlova · 23/09/2020 17:45

I've never done it via a solicitor - adds far too much additional cost to their bill. Just ask the vendor and negotiate. Worst they can say is no.

Lurchermom · 23/09/2020 20:01

Our buyers put in an over asking price offer on the condition we left all our kitchen appliances. We were happy to accept on that basis. It's a bit more of a fuss when we move as we will have to try and get stuff delivered straight away, but the price was right and it saves us transporting it!

mumsy27 · 23/09/2020 23:36

I think OP wants free stuffs, rather negotiating the price :)

KoalasandRabbit · 24/09/2020 00:52

Fine to ask. We've got our house on the market and quite a bit in there we'ld happily include for free in sale like fridge, freezer, dishwasher, cooker, curtains, lightshades etc.