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Original poster

To remove greenhouse at buyers’ request or not

51 replies

EscargotToGo · 10/05/2023 20:51

Hi wise ones. Wanted to get your views on what to do re: the request from our buyers to remove the greenhouse we have in the garden before completion. We have listed it as an “include” item in the fixtures and fittings form.

It has a concrete foundation, and is not easily removable (it would require professional dismantling). It came with the house when we bought it a few years back. I would therefore class it as a fixture.

Can we simply say no to this request or is it best to get quotes for its removal and ask if they would be willing to consider splitting the cost? Or should we just suck it up and do it?

OP posts:
Greenhousegasses · 10/05/2023 20:56

I’d just say no.

However, things to consider:

How long has it taken for them to make this request from their offer?

How “good” of a buyer are they?

How pleased are you with their offer?

BarkyMatherson · 10/05/2023 20:57

Offer it for free “buyer to dismantle” and someone will take it away!

mrsbyers · 10/05/2023 20:58

You could offer the actual greenhouse free for someone to come and dismantle and then just have the base to deal with

Chamomileteaplease · 10/05/2023 21:00

Several things to consider:

You might take it down and the buyers pull out anyway.

You might get an offer from someone else who isn't so demanding.

If it's a high offer then it's worth thinking about.

However, I would be worried that theses people might be demanding in other ways too. Personally I think it up to them to change the property as they see fit when they move in. It's not for you to sort it out for them beforehand!

Stratocumulus · 10/05/2023 21:00

They have offered on the property “as seen” and you’ve covered it in the pre sale questionnare so at first I’d tell them no you won’t remove it.

If it becomes really pivotal then maybe go halves for removal?
I doubt anyone will pull out based on a greenhouse but there’s nowt so bolshy as some folk.

We bought a house with an unwanted fish pond. It came with the house so we just had to suck it up! (Not literally 🤭)

Floralnomad · 10/05/2023 21:01

Surely if it’s on the included list / was on the house details then it’s their problem to sort out .

Cheetahmum · 10/05/2023 21:02

Seems a lot to ask. As buyers we asked our sellers to remove a wooden wendy house from the garden, that they listed as included, but it didn't have foundations or anything. It just saw on the decking. A greenhouse with foundations comes with the property.

wildfirewonder · 10/05/2023 21:02

The greenhouse you can remove. The concrete they need to either pay someone or pay you more to remove.

Original poster
EscargotToGo · 10/05/2023 21:04

Greenhousegasses · 10/05/2023 20:56

I’d just say no.

However, things to consider:

How long has it taken for them to make this request from their offer?

How “good” of a buyer are they?

How pleased are you with their offer?

They’ve had a few weeks since we sent them our fixtures and fittings form. They came back (via their solicitors) to us with no on the items we said we would be open to discussing leaving/selling (fair enough) but said for the greenhouse to be removed on or before completion.

So far, they haven’t tried to negotiate on anything but we have sold the house at below market rate as we wanted to secure the house we are in the process of buying (and we needed to be sold to have our offer accepted).

OP posts:
Pringleface · 10/05/2023 21:04

I would say no. If they hate it that much, they can get rid themselves. I highly doubt they’d walk away if you refused.

TomeTome · 10/05/2023 21:06

Just say “no”. You can’t destroy part of the property before they’ve paid.

WoolyMammoth55 · 10/05/2023 21:07

FWIW OP I'd list it on FB marketplace or similar, for free to anyone who can dismantle and remove. You would have takers I'm sure!

Other places to list it on are Gumtree and Freecycle.

Then it'll be gone and your buyers can deal with the concrete base themselves - unless that's been listed specifically then just getting rid of the greenhouse structure makes you an accommodating and responsive vendor.

Best of luck!

Winter2020 · 10/05/2023 21:07

I would just say "sorry you are not in a position to remove it". If the sale falls through due to the buyer needing to post a "free to collect," greenhouse on Facebook then they were timewasters anyway. If you agree it might be the first of a string of demands. Absolutely no to removing any concrete base - buyers renovate the house not sellers.

If they ask for a new bathroom or kitchen are you going to offer to go halves?

People generally buy houses as they are and then make changes to them after. If your sale falls through for whatever reason the next buyer might be glad of a greenhouse. It is a strange request but it sussed out if you are a pushover - in terms If asking for more or reducing their offer etc.

Original poster
EscargotToGo · 10/05/2023 21:08

Chamomileteaplease · 10/05/2023 21:00

Several things to consider:

You might take it down and the buyers pull out anyway.

You might get an offer from someone else who isn't so demanding.

If it's a high offer then it's worth thinking about.

However, I would be worried that theses people might be demanding in other ways too. Personally I think it up to them to change the property as they see fit when they move in. It's not for you to sort it out for them beforehand!

We are in a chain and all of us are quite close to exchange now, so I think our buyers are banking on the fact that we wouldn’t want to start the whole process of having to try to sell our property again within a timeframe that means we don’t lose the house we are hoping to buy!

OP posts:
Iloveacurry · 10/05/2023 21:12

Could you just take down the green house or would they expect you to also remove the concrete base?

DPotter · 10/05/2023 21:12

Say no.

It's a frivolous request and has no bearing on the house itself. Offer that on exchange you will let them come and take it down

Original poster
EscargotToGo · 10/05/2023 21:17

Iloveacurry · 10/05/2023 21:12

Could you just take down the green house or would they expect you to also remove the concrete base?

The message from the solicitor just says greenhouse… I assume that if not spelled out then legally we could just leave the concrete base as is and still have technically fulfilled the request. But as someone else says, I feel that this is a bit of a CF request to test whether we are pushovers and my inclination is to say no (and keep everything crossed that they won’t just walk away)

OP posts:
2bazookas · 10/05/2023 21:20

I'd just say no. They can organise that themselves after purchase. Just as they'd be expected to deal with an unwanted garage, extension, kitchen fittings etc.

2bazookas · 10/05/2023 21:24

If you remove the GH, and the buyer pulls out before completion, then you'd have devalued the property and have to remarket it minus a valuable garden feature.

ChippyPrincess · 10/05/2023 21:29

2bazookas · 10/05/2023 21:24

If you remove the GH, and the buyer pulls out before completion, then you'd have devalued the property and have to remarket it minus a valuable garden feature.

This. Don't remove it before you've exchanged! I would love a greenhouse and would be the thrilled to find one in a house that I viewed.

Ihaveshitfriends · 10/05/2023 21:31

They’re trying it on. I recently removed the base of one and it’s completely back breaking!

Londono · 10/05/2023 21:39

Also, if they are genuinely planning to buy the property you refusing won't change their mind. So if they pull out over this, they never intended to buy it anyway. I think it is fair enough for them to ask whatever they want though and just as fair enough for you to say no!

tailinthejam · 10/05/2023 21:43

They are idiots, I'd love a greenhouse.

Floribundaflummery · 10/05/2023 21:46

Definitely don’t remove the greenhouse. It is a ridiculous request as it’s part of the property and fixed. If they are genuine, they can easily sort it once they have completed and moved in. It seems very cheeky indeed and I have never come across this. Also many people love a greenhouse so it would be a risk if you do remove it and they pull out and you then lose an asset.

WonderingWanda · 10/05/2023 21:53

I'd say no, play them at their own game. They surely aren't going to pull out at this stage over a greenhouse which has only just become a problem for them.

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