Fixtures/Fittings - CF/AIBU

[SlapOfReality]

Received the fixtures and fittings forms from the vendors yesterday (they're selling and acting on behalf of a deceased lady - presumably their mum).

They want £6000 to leave the fitted kitchen units...

(And a total of £3500 for built in/fixed wardrobes across 3 bedrooms, which I am less fussed over)

Nothing was mentioned at viewing, or when in contact with the estate agents - this has come out of the blue. My solicitor is away until the middle of next week, so looking for opinions before I speak to the solicitor.

If I'd known they wanted to remove the kitchen, we would have reduced our offer to account for that..

Or is it more likely they're being CF and trying it on, and I should call their bluff?

Not 100% an AIBU, but I guess - AIBU to expect the fitted kitchen to remain...fitted...when buying a house?
(Excluding white goods)

[SlapOfReality]

(To clarify - i don't expect white goods included... just the actual fitted units/cupboards/worktop!)

[Theunamedcat]

I dont think they can take the kitchen that's part of the house?

[Justwingingit2005]

This is bat shit crazy......
A fitted kitchen is part of the house.

Makes the light bulbs our sellers took seem tame.

Anyway, if they did take the kitchen, it would damage the house you are buying.....

Ask if they are taking the loo as well..... 🤣

[Starseeking]

Fitted units in any room are supposed to remain when selling.

The idea being that anything not fixed to the floor if you turned the house upside down and shook it, should be removed by the sellers.

I'd call their bluff, and tell them to remove them. I doubt they will, they're just looking for extra cash.

[ThisMustBeMyDream]

They can't take the kitchen as I believe it makes the house unmortgageable.
Absolutely CF's!!!

[Alphabet1spaghetti2]

May be they misread the form or ticked the wrong box? Easy to do. Deffo query it and if it’s true, renegotiate!

[wonkygorgeous]

Respond by saying it's customary to leave all fitted items and your offer was made with this in mind.

Should they wish to take the fitted items with them they are welcome too, but you will be reducing your offer accordingly as you will have to factor in replacing the said items.

CF are trying to raise extra money. Don't play that game. And don't expect any lightbulbs or curtain rails, they have shown their true colours now!

[RandomMess]

Can't believe their solicitor didn't point it out to them that they can't exclude a fitted kitchen!

[donquixotedelamancha]

@wonkygorgeous

Respond by saying it's customary to leave all fitted items and your offer was made with this in mind.

Should they wish to take the fitted items with them they are welcome too, but you will be reducing your offer accordingly as you will have to factor in replacing the said items.

CF are trying to raise extra money. Don't play that game. And don't expect any lightbulbs or curtain rails, they have shown their true colours now!

This. They are just taking the piss, trying to squeeze more from you.

[SlapOfReality]

Thank you for all your fabulous replies - thank you for reassuring me I'm not totally barmy on what I was thinking!

I have a call booked with the solicitor for their first day back, so will be noting down some of the phrases you've put so eloquently and use them... and also send an email across to pre-empt it all!

(Especially love the metaphor of turning a house upside down and shaking!)

[Africa2go]

As above - most lenders won't lend on a house without a kitchen so really important to resolve.

[WhatICallMyUsername]

@Alphabet1spaghetti2

May be they misread the form or ticked the wrong box? Easy to do. Deffo query it and if it’s true, renegotiate!

Unlikely as they've given the price they want for it!!

[LittleOwl153]

Look at your estate agent details. If the house details mentions a fitted kitchen for example - then the fitted kitchen is included in the sale... If it mentions a fabulous hand crafted arga- then that is included in the sale price. If they didn't want it included it should not be noted in the particulars - which should instead read 'space for a handcrafted arga' or not mentioned but the estate agent knows it is not included but perhaps could be negotiated.

Wanting extra for kitchen cupboards and fitted wardrobes is grabby. I'd revise your offer downwards based on those things being excluded (by what it woukd cost you for new) and tell the sellers that if they remove they need to 'make good' the sites of removal - which you'll need to check before exchange of course....

And yes - without a working sink / kitchen (less white goods) and functioning bathroom it would be a development site and thus a development mortgage you would be needing....

[Viviennemary]

No they can't do this. I think the estate agent might be in trouble if this was not made clear in the description of the house.,

[SlapOfReality]

Luckily (although not in this scenario as it is due to bereavement and for caring for elderly family!) I'm in the position of not needing a mortgage.. so it being unmortgageable isn't a point I can use..

I certainly will be clarifying it all.

Also, not fussed on the curtain rails, and I have a huge number of brand new lightbulbs (Grandparent's stash!) so all good on that front!

Although they have kindly offered to sell me one of the curtain sets for £300 as well.. 😂

[WhatICallMyUsername]

When we sold our house the buyer turned up with her mum and were walking round pointing at stuff saying is that staying etc. totally caught me off guard as we hadn't discussed anything like that ourselves!

Buyers mums mentality was if it was fixed to the wall it was included (they were eyeing up the shoe rack in the hall) and I pointed out that we also had family pictures attached to the walls and as long as we made good the walls we'd take/leave what we saw fit and refused to get into any more discussions at that point

She also told me DH had said the shed was included in the sale at the viewing which he hadn't

[Alphabet1spaghetti2]

@WhatICallMyUsername

Unlikely as they've given the price they want for it!!

Point taken! I was trying to think of alternatives to what would have me saying they could shove the house where daylight doesn’t reach😂
(and our vendor has made several such mistakes on his f and f form - albeit he’s then scribbled them out - yes our solicitor has queries them before sending them on to us!)

[GeorgiaGirl52]

Or perhaps tell them they can take the kitchen, the cupboards and the curtains and you will reduce your offer 10,000 pounds accordingly.

[Monty27]

Ask them if to remove the wallpaper too

[TheLovleyChebbyMcGee]

That sounds very strange, I'd expect a kitchen to stay, Best of luck dealing either these people!!

[TheLovleyChebbyMcGee]

Dealing with these people rather!

[DonGray]

Time to renegotiate your purchase price

[LIZS]

Is the valuation close to an iht threshold or might they need to pay carehome fees? It may be that they hope to limit liability by selling f and f separately. The "benefit" to you may be that it is not subject to stamp duty although I thought this loophole had been closed.

[TizerorFizz]

Fixtures are attached to the building. They should be included in the asking price or the price you have agreed. They cannot easily be removed or replaced. Speak to your solicitor and don’t pay any more money. No one else will!

[LittleOwl153]

Ironically that kitchen (unless it is unused very designer) is probably worth about £200on ebay - after they have got someone to spend hours carefully taking it out to ensure it is saleable. They'll then have to 'make good' all the holes in the walls it leaves...