Electric fireplace

Bumblebee74 · 2024-04-18T19:54:11+00:00

Help me resolve a debate with my OH please. If an electric fire was described in the particulars, can we take it with us when we move? I’m saying no, he thinks yes. It’s only attached by a couple of screws and we’d put it all right if removed but it doesn’t feel right to me to take it.

AllEars112232 · 18/04/2024 22:11

If it was in the property description it should stay. If you desperately want it tell the buyer that it was a mistake on the particulars so they can contest this (or not, they might not care) before you exchange.

DrySherry · 19/04/2024 04:09

Described in the particulars means its definitely included.

Janetime · 19/04/2024 05:21

Have you filled in the fix and fittings list? You would need to communicate you wish to take it and likely will have to replace it, as it is a key feature ie provides heat.

once you sell you sell, honestly stripping it is really crappy ,

Mercurial123 · 19/04/2024 05:54

No, you can't take it. How would your husband feel if your sellers tried something similar?

Mindymomo · 19/04/2024 06:26

We sold a house with electric fire, it was on the particulars as it was screwed to the wall, never once did we think it wouldn’t be left.

Original poster

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 06:39

AllEars112232 · 18/04/2024 22:11

If it was in the property description it should stay. If you desperately want it tell the buyer that it was a mistake on the particulars so they can contest this (or not, they might not care) before you exchange.

Thanks. He didn’t spot it was on the particulars and really wants to keep it as he built the surround etc fairly recently. He even designed it so it could be easily moved. Will raise it with the solicitor.

OP posts:

CandidHedgehog · 19/04/2024 07:02

Not any sort of conveyancer / lawyer but I always thought the rule was that if it’s fixed to the property (i.e. screwed to the wall), however lightly, it stays.

However, arguments like this are exactly what the fixtures and fittings form is designed to prevent. If you put in it you are taking it, I think you can but be prepared for your buyers to feel ripped off.

If it would cost thousands to replace, they are likely to reduce their offer accordingly.

Also, if the surround is included, if removing that leaves a mess or needs making good, you need to fix it.

Original poster

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 08:18

It does have a couple of screws for stability but it’s basically the same as one of those ones you buy and place against a wall and plug in. I have no intention of leaving the buyers feeling crappy about anything so will raise it with the solicitor.

OP posts:

soupfiend · 19/04/2024 08:22

CandidHedgehog · 19/04/2024 07:02

Not any sort of conveyancer / lawyer but I always thought the rule was that if it’s fixed to the property (i.e. screwed to the wall), however lightly, it stays.

However, arguments like this are exactly what the fixtures and fittings form is designed to prevent. If you put in it you are taking it, I think you can but be prepared for your buyers to feel ripped off.

If it would cost thousands to replace, they are likely to reduce their offer accordingly.

Also, if the surround is included, if removing that leaves a mess or needs making good, you need to fix it.

Edited

Its not as cut and dried as that, Ive got two Ikea dressers in the dining room, they're fixed to the wall for stability, they would be coming with us when we move because they are furniture, not fixtures and fittings

OP, electric fires are just cheap things arent they? If you've made out its part of the property it needs to stay, just buy a new one for the new property

Janetime · 19/04/2024 08:50

soupfiend · 19/04/2024 08:22

Its not as cut and dried as that, Ive got two Ikea dressers in the dining room, they're fixed to the wall for stability, they would be coming with us when we move because they are furniture, not fixtures and fittings

OP, electric fires are just cheap things arent they? If you've made out its part of the property it needs to stay, just buy a new one for the new property

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To be fair that’s different though. I mean you could say that about artwork.
a heater though is usually deemed part of the fix and fittings and I’d be surprised if they solicitor didn’t say they had to replace it if they removed.

Original poster

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 09:48

soupfiend · 19/04/2024 08:22

Its not as cut and dried as that, Ive got two Ikea dressers in the dining room, they're fixed to the wall for stability, they would be coming with us when we move because they are furniture, not fixtures and fittings

OP, electric fires are just cheap things arent they? If you've made out its part of the property it needs to stay, just buy a new one for the new property

Show quote history

You can get cheap electric fireplaces that sit against the wall, we wanted it against the wall but not a cheap one for aesthetic reasons so bought an inset and built our own surround. It wasn’t cheap.

OP posts:

TerfTalking · 19/04/2024 10:22

IMO bang out of order. The pictures will have depicted the fireplace, it should have been clear when it was first advertised that the fire was going, sounds like not only does your DH want to take the fire but the surround too?

Seriously, it's almost as bad as saying "oh I really love this kitchen, shall we just take it? it cost us a lot of money and I'm damned if I'm leaving it"

Just no.

fromtheshires · 19/04/2024 10:28

@TerfTalking totally off topic but its actually common in Germany to take the kitchen.

@Bumblebee74 if it's listed then it's part of the sale as far as I'm concerned and would be annoyed if it was taken. You could always ask the buyer if you could take it as they may not want it but if they want it then you're out of luck!

Mercurial123 · 19/04/2024 10:29

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 09:48

You can get cheap electric fireplaces that sit against the wall, we wanted it against the wall but not a cheap one for aesthetic reasons so bought an inset and built our own surround. It wasn’t cheap.

Show quote history

Seems you also want to take the fireplace, too, OP? It's a crappy thing to do, and I'd be straight onto my solicitor after completion if my seller did this.

slippedonabanana · 19/04/2024 10:37

If your husband is determined to go ahead with this mad plan of ripping out the fire and surround, then he needs to raise it with the buyers before exchange and offer them a figure to compensate for the replacement and repairs.

Original poster

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 10:55

Wow some pretty strong comments on here. I’m simply asking for views and appreciate you sharing, it is the reason I asked. Seems the majority think it’s a no. To be clear, we absolutely wouldnt rip anything out, it’s literally against the wall with two small screws to stop it moving. The wall is absolutely fine behind it. It’s the same set up as one you buy from b&q with a plastic surround, but nicer as we made it ourselves. But I too may have assumed it was staying when I viewed and don’t want the buyers to feel we’ve taken something that they thought was just was part of the house. I should have been super clear with the EA but hindsight is a wonderful thing. It is no way the same as taking the kitchen!

OP posts:

AllEars112232 · 19/04/2024 11:04

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 10:55

Wow some pretty strong comments on here. I’m simply asking for views and appreciate you sharing, it is the reason I asked. Seems the majority think it’s a no. To be clear, we absolutely wouldnt rip anything out, it’s literally against the wall with two small screws to stop it moving. The wall is absolutely fine behind it. It’s the same set up as one you buy from b&q with a plastic surround, but nicer as we made it ourselves. But I too may have assumed it was staying when I viewed and don’t want the buyers to feel we’ve taken something that they thought was just was part of the house. I should have been super clear with the EA but hindsight is a wonderful thing. It is no way the same as taking the kitchen!

Hi OP,

just talk to your buyers. If they are okay with you taking it, and this is put in writing before you exchange then it's all okay! Simple!!!!

KievLoverTwo · 19/04/2024 11:19

I see a lot of houses with terrible fireplaces and it often puts me off.

Theoretically, you can negotiate on anything. But I rather suspect it was a feature that drew your buyer to your house. They could be really disappointed if you want to take it.

Tell your OH he was a silly Billy building something lovely so close to going to market and that he is just going to have to get over it.

Mercurial123 · 19/04/2024 11:48

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 10:55

Wow some pretty strong comments on here. I’m simply asking for views and appreciate you sharing, it is the reason I asked. Seems the majority think it’s a no. To be clear, we absolutely wouldnt rip anything out, it’s literally against the wall with two small screws to stop it moving. The wall is absolutely fine behind it. It’s the same set up as one you buy from b&q with a plastic surround, but nicer as we made it ourselves. But I too may have assumed it was staying when I viewed and don’t want the buyers to feel we’ve taken something that they thought was just was part of the house. I should have been super clear with the EA but hindsight is a wonderful thing. It is no way the same as taking the kitchen!

You really want this fireplace, don't you? Hopefully, you've seen sense and decided to leave it, but I'm not convinced.

Allthegoodnamesarechosen · 19/04/2024 14:48

Just ask the buyers.

I have taken two wood burners ( one Godin €€€€) because the buyers said they didn’t want them. We took them away and cleaned up where they had been. Everyone was happy! But I would definitely ask and if they say take it, get that confirmed in the contract.

soupfiend · 19/04/2024 18:14

Bumblebee74 · 19/04/2024 09:48

You can get cheap electric fireplaces that sit against the wall, we wanted it against the wall but not a cheap one for aesthetic reasons so bought an inset and built our own surround. It wasn’t cheap.

Show quote history

What do you mean by wasnt cheap though, they're not thousands of pounds like a burner, they're a couple of hundred surely?

Whether you built your own surround or not is a bit irrelevant.

Unless it was one of those Everhot ones, they are very expensive.

TerfTalking · 24/04/2024 12:26

fromtheshires · 19/04/2024 10:28

@TerfTalking totally off topic but its actually common in Germany to take the kitchen.

@Bumblebee74 if it's listed then it's part of the sale as far as I'm concerned and would be annoyed if it was taken. You could always ask the buyer if you could take it as they may not want it but if they want it then you're out of luck!

it's also common to take the kitchen, but I am 99.999999% the OP is not in Germany and it isn't common or acceptable in the UK.

To the OP, whilst in terms of size and cost it may not be the same as taking the kitchen, but in terms of taking fixtures and fittings, then yes the principle is the same.

If I was buying and you pulled that stunt I would knock a grand off the asking so I can reinstate a fireplace, if you love it that much go back to the EA tell them you're taking it and you will knock a grand off the asking price so the buyers can replace it with one of their choice.

I bet your DH decides to make another for the new house.