Am I being picky?

gemstars

I'm in the middle of buying my first house (currently still living with parents) and I've just received the fixtures and fittings details from the solicitors.

I had expected that the bathroom cabinet would stay with the house, it's a typical medical cabinet mounted on the wall with a mirrored door. We had not discussed whether it was staying specifically, we just assumed as it is screwed to wall which I understand is the definition of a fixture/fitting (whichever one it is that you can assume stays with the house unless you're informed otherwise) but when we did the viewing we did discuss what would stay and go and this was never mentioned.

I'd imagine this will now mean the holes left will need filling in and the room redecorating which just seems like yet another hassle. The purchase process so far hasn't exactly been smooth, there's been a lot of uncertainty and it's taken a really long time, all due to the vendors dragging their feet and not providing adequate information. This is all after them setting a very tight completion date so I just feel like I've been jumping through hoops and rushing around to get everything done at my end, only to sit and twiddle my thumbs while I wait for them to get their act together and this just feels like another problem they've created that I'm having to deal with.

Can I insist that they leave the cabinet or sort the mess left and redecorate before we exchange contracts or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

Opinions from you lot being able to view this objectively would be really appreciated.

slopemaster

You can insist they make good the damage - this was on the bottom of my F&F list. Perhaps reminding them of this will be enough to make them think it simpler to leave it?

I have similar issue, vendor suddenly tries to get extra money for a couple of 2nd hand carpets which we had verbally agreed were to be left.
I just said no via my solicitor, awaiting response...

Its v common I believe

linni

It is only a small item so I'd just ask if they could leave it and see what they say. I personally would leave the cabinet anyway, but maybe they want it for their new house and you could maybe ask them to fill the holes if they are taking it. Some people are dreadful, I once bought a house where they took the light fittings and left bare wires, and have had to insist that they install new ones.

peachyprice

Can't you just get another cabinet of a similar size
To say the room will need decorating just because they're taking the cabinet is a little OTT.

LandyAndy

I would expect a bathroom cabinet to be taken.

I would also expect to make good the holes in the wall.

If you think this is hassle wait until you actually own a property.

Doozergirl

They are obliged to make the wall 'good'

However, you either want a bathroom cabinet or you don't. If you put a new one up, you don't have to redecorate do you?

Ask if they will leave it, they will probably say yes, however you are being picky if you're concerned about having to redecorate yet wanting a bathroom cabinet.

gemstars

Hi thanks for your replies.

I should have said that I don't particularly have any strong feelings towards having the bathroom cabinet or not, I just don't want to have to be doing work to get the house to the finished standard it was when I viewed it.

I have mobility problems which would make the DIY difficult for me and on top of that my talent for DIY is minimal! I think this is going to be a steep learning curve! :-)

cattie

Unfortunately some people take everything they possibly can when selling a house & other's are more considerate/generous towards the new owner.

I've moved into more properties than I care to remember where mirrors were removed from bathroom walls, leaving holes for the fixings drilled into the fully tiled walls. I've just needed to ensure that I purchase a mirror of a size big enough to hide the holes.

You can ask that all holes are made good after cabinets, shelving & such things are removed, but this may just mean they stick a bit of polyfilla in said holes & won't necessarily have any matching paint to paint over the dried filler.

Ask if you want the cabinet left as the majority of sellers should be more than happy to leave such a minor item.

flea72

a bathroom cabinet isnt a fixture its a fitting, so they can take it - the wall doesnt have to be made good, as long as they leave the screws that went into the wall, thats all thats required

its viewed the same as a picture and a hook, you take the picture but leave the hook, if you want to take the hook too, then you have to make good the hole

if you really want the bathroom cabinet, get it added to the list of fixtures and fittings - i doubt people would loose a sale over something so insignificant

Flea

LandyAndy

cattie wrote: »

Unfortunately some people take everything they possibly can when selling a house & other's are more considerate/generous towards the new owner.

I've moved into more properties than I care to remember where mirrors were removed from bathroom walls, leaving holes for the fixings drilled into the fully tiled walls. I've just needed to ensure that I purchase a mirror of a size big enough to hide the holes.

You can ask that all holes are made good after cabinets, shelving & such things are removed, but this may just mean they stick a bit of polyfilla in said holes & won't necessarily have any matching paint to paint over the dried filler.

Ask if you want the cabinet left as the majority of sellers should be more than happy to leave such a minor item.

The vendor of my current house took a lot of things that were attached to the walls and told me her son would make good the holes. When I saw the half-arsed bodges he'd made of the first few I told her I'd be happy to do it myself.:D