Seller wants to take range cooker despite saying it would stay!

[mabaf90]

We're buying a house and when viewing (viewed twice) the sellers said all fixtures and fittings in the kitchen will be included in the sale. We had a list of questions and specifically asked about the range cooker which they said would be included. We had our offer accepted which was under the advertised price. Just saw the F&F form and they have excluded not only the Stoves Richmond range cooker but also the kitchen pendant lights. They've also excluded a chandelier overhanging the staircase. They're also taking the shed, thee toilet roll holder which is screwed into the wall, and a host of other items. We don't really care for the shed and lights although a bit annoyed/confused as they said these were included when we viewed but are now excluding.

Just wondering what people's experiences have been? First time buyers so not entirely sure what is the norm re. the stove. On reading online it seems they can take the cooker. Wondering if they thought they would sell for higher and therefore are trying to make a point/recoup costs.

Think they’re doing you a favour taking it.

We've only ever purchased renovation projects, so have never expected light fittings or appliances to be left - or if they were, they'd be in need of replacement anyway! Eg, our current cottage, a 200 year old probate property owned since 1970, did have an oven (circa 1970 - only the hob was working), and one light fitting (broken, probably 80s).

As a result, we've never had the luxury of moving in and unpacking/getting straight on with our lives. We could easily have brought our appliances - some of which were reasonably expensive/new - with us, but there was very little point, as 18 months on, parts of the cottage resemble a building site and we're still cooking on a pair of plug-in induction hobs and an airfryer as the gas isn't yet connected 🙄

This and for someone to paint, replaster and make good. So look up how much a brand new one of everything is and add on the diy costs and time and drop the price. Same with lights! Especially go back and say everything was included. Call their bluff

Buyers are hard to find. They have a place to buy that there cooker would fit so they will want to crack on. Reduce your bid by 50% of new values. Believe me they will come back with a counter offer. If not you have lost nothing they will still want to sell to you!

We had the same situation when we bought our house. They didn’t take any care when removing mirrors, curtain poles or light fittings. We walked in to find holes and exposed wires everywhere. I wish we’d pulled out of the sale as it took me more than a year to get over the bad taste and start liking the house.

Where were your Solicitors ? It is part of their their job to sort all this out in the Contract,. If they fail you in picking all these issues up what are you paying for? If you have only paid for conveyancing the title then you are the person responsible. If you pay for a monkey that is what you get. Stop moaning and get the correct service.

We have only had one solicitor, who has been top of his game: Plus he has been worth the money. He has costed us less than our friends who have paid for a solicitor who has been on a mortgage company panel, i.e. you get what you pay for. Our contracts have always been bespoke for properties without mortgages but not above an average price for a 3/4 bedroom semi/detached in a particular area (well outside London).;

Basically, ask for a reduction to the value of the fittings/equipment (as brand new cost to replace) and also the cost of cosmetic touch ups like filling in holes in walls and painting, etc

Oh wow. I think they've done you a favour!

This would be in the bundle of documents your solicitor sent you- email your solicitor to tell them it was agreed that the cooker would stay and to inform the seller is either has to stay or they have to lower the asking price by the cost of a replacement (look on Pricerunner how much a new one would be and quote that) I would tend not to approach them directly as they will probably try to deny it, a formal approach by your legal representation is much more likely to be successful.

Some of the behaviour mentioned on here is just shameful. I can't understand anyone being so mean to people buying their home off them.

what an unnecessary thing to say 🙄

Sometimes the fixture and fittings form is completed prior to selling - call the agent and ask them to ring the owner and get an updated f and f form.

Firstly the "legal" form is the one you have just received, so now you need to review it and decide if you want to go ahead.

That said there are red flags galore here, removing items which are fixed to the property is NOT normal, particularly light fittings and toilet roll holders. I'd think carefully about pulling out as rarely do the owners make good on removal. Or make sure you have cast iron guarantees it will be made good and drop your price accordingly.

The cooker less so, as its a range cooker and not fitted.

Put a clamp on it

If the item is fixed to the wall then the vendor has to repair the whole wall if it is removed, i.e. there is to be no indication that anything has been affixed to the said wall previously. If an item has been removed that should have been left then the purchaser should be recompensed and the wall is to be reinstated before occupation by the purchaser. This is quite difficult to do in hindsight. Damage to the property should be photographed and forwarded to solicitor immediately.

Speak to your solicitor, they will have filled informs saying what fixtures and fittings they were leaving behind, they cannot change their minds, just like that, it can affect the price of the house. They are being a little underhanded here, and you need to challenge them, they are trying to pull a fast one, don't let them

@mabaf90 if they are already being difficult over these fixtures and fittings I'd seriously think about what lies ahead in the process - these are NOT people you want to deal with. There are always other properties no matter how much you are stuck on this one. I think you are headed for a whole lot more trouble if you continue.

Were they trying pull a fast one to get a quick sale by offering some nice goodies they had no intention whatsoever of leaving.

Don't sound as though have a lot of integrity.Get them to write down exactly what they will be leaving. May still be a few more surprises.

Readjust and lower their asking price a accordingly and take it from there. If problems drop the sale completely.

I’ve sold items to buyers before - I’d never just leave items. I wouldn’t take things like lightbulbs that’s ridiculous, but range ovens, white goods unless integrated etc I wouldn’t just leave behind.

Our vendor took down one of all the curtains, when we said we didn’t want them! We found them in the bin. He also left the gas fire which we didn’t want, but had had a go at removing it and failed, leaving it in the middle of the sitting room and leaking gas, so we had to get it removed and dealt with professionally. He was a pain in the arse. The oddest thing is that he lives in our block, so we were always going to be neighbours. Twenty years on, he’s still an arsehole.

Can’t you? Unfortunately some buyers are so downright rude and awful, I can understand it totally. We sold to a family who openly lied about their financial position. Allegedly cash buyers (and yes, they provided proof to that effect) but actually needed a mortgage and to sell not one but two houses in order to be able to buy ours. Faffed us around for months and also kept turning up and nosing around the back garden when we weren’t there.
What they didn’t know was that our cameras also have audio so I could literally HEAR them saying how much they liked my curtains and blinds and that they must have cost a fortune, but they couldn’t afford to pay extra for them and the plan they came up with to try to get me to leave them. Needless to say, I took them all down. It is not just sellers who can be vile!

How stupid of you to remove a gas fire yourselves. You could have caused such devastation. You should always get approved gas fitters to do things like that
...unbelievable....

Your solicitor would ask the other side if they to leave the ceiling lights in a certain condition. That way you know beforehand, and although it's included in the legal paperwork.

I guess I was a legal secretary for too long, but when putting in offers we've always stated we want our offer to include x,y,z - I've known people to take kitchen cupboards, all the carpets.

What makes you think you're entitled to their personal items that they have bought.

I find that tacky, I'd be glad to see it gone