£250k house plus £2-5k chattels

When_is_the_reset?

Torchboy wrote: »

Forgive my ignorance but I thought fixtures and fittings were part of the building whereas chattels were moveable. And so are two entirely seperate things?

It isn't quite as simple as that.

Chattels can be part of the building if it is necessary to attach them (for their use) and they do not destroy or damage part of the building when removed. You must look objectively at the reason for the fixing - is it to improve the building or to use and enjoy the item?

harz99

Back to the OP; the vendor clearly wants £255k for the sale, the OP clearly wants the property or they wouldn't be asking their questions.

There is nothing wrong in selling/buying at £250k, thus not paying Stamp Duty and then paying a separate amount for furnishings, chattels etc. As others have explained the amount simply has to "stack up" for the sum paid, with documented proof of how that sum was arrived at.

£5k does sound a lot for second hand goods though.

It sounds as though a lower offer or refusal to buy the "furnishings" may be a deal breaker, so if the OP wants the house he/she will need to get their proof and do the deal.

Or of course if the Op is concerned in any way they could always pay the vendor £255k and the government their Stamp Duty on top, but not very MSE that.

martindow

hedgehopper wrote: »

well, if it's anything like the AGA involved in our sale (there is one, coincidentally enough!) then it's my understand that it's to do with the fact that these items are free-standing.

Isn't it like trying to sell a CH boiler separately? Removing an AGA means dismantling a flue and connections to the hot water or heating system. It is something that most people would consider part of the building.

I don't think it is similar to items like curtains or carpets that are just unhooked or rolled up to take away.

westlondonbuyer

You love this place and your vendor knows it. No-one in their right mind would contemplate paying stamp duty at this price threshold, but she knows you're desperate for this place so she's digging her heels in and using some old tat as leverage.

If you can bear to walk away for a week, it's more than likely you'll get this place for £250k; what's more, I wouldn't be surprised if you find much of the second-hand stuff still there because she didn't want to pay for it to be moved...

neverdespairgirl

BornAtTheRightTime wrote: »

I had visions of live turkeys making it wobble :rotfl:

My darling Mama is a pretty gifted cook, but she tends to stick to things which are already dead. Fortunately.

john_white

martindow wrote: »

Isn't it like trying to sell a CH boiler separately? Removing an AGA means dismantling a flue and connections to the hot water or heating system. It is something that most people would consider part of the building.

I don't think it is similar to items like curtains or carpets that are just unhooked or rolled up to take away.

No not at all.

Aga's are not always connected for heating, in fact most these days are more of afashion statement. Our AGA for example cost nearly 4k, it would cost about 300 quid to get it disconnected from the oil supply etc. Would easily sell for 2k plus so I would say leaving £1700 worth of free stuff excessive.

You could take your boiler if you so desired but the cost of doing so (gas safe to remove it) it's second hand value (couple of hundred) and the fact any buyer would immeditaely knock a couple of thousand off for a new boiler as they would n't have CH or HW would make it a false economy. An AGA could be easily replaced in the short term for a £200 cooker.

If the AGA did control the CH then it's a different story but most people would leave it if that was the case.

Richard_Webster

Forgive my ignorance but I thought fixtures and fittings were part of the building whereas chattels were moveable. And so are two entirely seperate things?

Fixtures are part of the building but fittings and chattels are not. Fittings can be attached to the building but it is the degree of permanence of attachment that is one of the key factors. Curtain poles and carpets are attached or "fixed" but would not be considered to be fixtures. I wouldn't like to judge about an AGA that was cemented in though!

njhpuk

I'm in a very similar situation and the stumbling block on our house purchase is £5k over the stamp duty threshold (£500k) ... the vendor wants the extra but we're not prepared to go over due to stamp duty costs. There really isn't £5k worth of items to add to a F&Fs inventory with the exception of the rather expensive marble fireplace surrounds that have recently been added (within the last year). Can I realistically add these to the list of F&Fs totalling £5k?

Thanks in advance!

hazyjo

njhpuk wrote: »

I'm in a very similar situation and the stumbling block on our house purchase is £5k over the stamp duty threshold (£500k) ... the vendor wants the extra but we're not prepared to go over due to stamp duty costs. There really isn't £5k worth of items to add to a F&Fs inventory with the exception of the rather expensive marble fireplace surrounds that have recently been added (within the last year). Can I realistically add these to the list of F&Fs totalling £5k?

Thanks in advance!

Was the marble fireplace surround mentioned in the actual EA details? Might have shot themselves in the foot if it was... or is it you trying to use that to make it up to £5k? Why? Just stick with £500k!

Surely nobody else would pay £5k over the £500k stamp duty price. Vendors just have to accept their house will achieve less because of this threshold (in my opinion!). Been stung greatly myself!

Jx

njhpuk

Wish it was that simple...I've negotiated the price right down already (it was quite a bit higher than the threshold limit) and I guess this extra £5k is something they are refusing to budge on. I'm going over there this week to discuss the matter with them but just wanted opinions on here first. Cheers.