Estate agents 'demanding' I leave bedroom furniture

marliepanda

I am currently renting a flat which is on the market. There have been very few viewers (2 in 5 months) and according to the EA a offer of asking price has just been received with the proviso that the bedroom furniture is included (and a bathroom cabinet but that is of little consequence!)

The EA (affiliated with my LA to avoid confusion) has all but 'agreed' to the buyers wants, without even asking me. I received a letter offering me £500 for all the items listed in the letter (still no s21 I may add).

The bathroom cabinet I don't care about, but the bed was pricey and no longer made, and my wardrobe and chests of drawers are vintage, belonged to my grandparents and restored by my father. There is 0% chance they are having them. I understand there reasons for wanting them as they are gorgeous and fit the nature of the flat well (and also the awkward size, old wardrobes seem much thinner, all my hangers are sideways) but, they could find other antique wardrobes to work.

I responded via letter stating that they could have the bathroom cabinet for free but the other items were not available. I recieved a letter on Friday stating they understood my attachment to the items but the buyers will not proceed without. I have not responded to that yet. Today I have an email from the EA (on a Sunday, they must be keen!) saying that 'an offer of asking price is a great opportunity',, and insinuated I was being obstructive because I was hoping for a landlord to buy it so I could stay.

Obviously I know that I don't have to sell my personal belongings. I also know I can be served with my 2 months notice at any point, I am not worried about that. But how should I proceed with this EA? My last letter stated that the other items were none negotiable. They seem to think it is ME selling the flat, despite being affiliated with the people who are renting it to me...

phill99

Tell where he can get off. It's not you that's selling the flat and they have no rights to dead what furniture you sell. I really would tell him to do one.

RobertoMoir

I am a little confused. Are you saying that you are the tenant, and that the furniture is yours?

Are the EA perhaps not aware of this?

If the owner of the property can only sell their property if your furniture is included in the deal then they have two choices - either make you an offer you can't refuse (and yes, I understand that this isn't likely), or... how can I put this gracefully... they can... uh... find another buyer.

Either way, the sale of this property isn't your problem and possibly the best thing to do at this point is to make that very clear to them and the landlord, then simply refuse to discuss the matter further. It's a bit late now, but I'm surprised you're letting the cabinet go because that's possibly sent the wrong message to the EA and the buyer.

SuzieSue

Some EAs are unbelievable. Let them carry on demanding and every time they demand just tell them that the items are not for sale. It will eventually sink in. They obviously think that they can bully you in to submission so are just trying their luck. They know that they have no right to demand that you sell the furniture.

marliepanda

I'm worried about my reference and also, as if what they are saying is true about these buyers not wanting the flat without the furniture, how they are going to proceed with future viewings/repairs etc

marliepanda

RobertoMoir wrote: »

I am a little confused. Are you saying that you are the tenant, and that the furniture is yours?

Are the EA perhaps not aware of this?

If the owner of the property can only sell their property if your furniture is included in the deal then they have two choices - either make you an offer you can't refuse (and yes, I understand that this isn't likely), or... how can I put this gracefully... they can... uh... find another buyer.

Either way, the sale of this property isn't your problem and possibly the best thing to do at this point is to make that very clear to them and refuse to discuss the matter further.

Yes I am the tenant, the flat is 'unfurnished' and just came with built in appliances and a washer dryer. There were 2 mirror cabinets on the bathroom walls but I have replaced those with nicer wooden ones (the old ones are in the loft) Those were the only furniture left.

The EA is aware as they have offered me money for it, but perhaps were not aware whilst telling these people about the property. The LA and EA are the same company, maybe I am expecting too much communication with them.

I think I may ignore the email and respond with a 'final' letter saying no further discussion is to be had about the furniture.

The bed, I could be persuaded on for a big sum, as a replacement could be found from a bespoke bed shop (which I couldnt afford so got a similar one) but you're talking £3000! But the others are irreplaceable.

Poppy9

Just tell them no it's not for sale. They have no leverage to make you sell it as you said in OP you don't mind moving if they give you notice. The sale of the flat is not your problem, you do not have to help them and don't give them your bathroom cabinet.

SuzieSue

marliepanda wrote: »

I'm worried about my reference and also, as if what they are saying is true about these buyers not wanting the flat without the furniture, how they are going to proceed with future viewings/repairs etc

I can understand your worries, but that is why you must just be polite and explain that you aren't being awkward about not selling but that the furniture is irreplaceable and that is the reason.

They can't say anything in a reference which isn't true. If they are so petty as to be awkward about viewings and repairs then you will have to deal with that if and when it happens, but you mustn't let them bully you. Remember they are in the wrong, not you.

robatwork

I would totally ignore the EA. What lever do they have over you? You surely aren't beholden to them in any way

marliepanda

They are really driving me mad!

I am only staying on the off chance a landlord buys it as it really is insanely convenient for me at the moment in order for me to save to eventually buy. I wish it was a horrible place so I could just leave and be happy

marliepanda

robatwork wrote: »

I would totally ignore the EA. What lever do they have over you? You surely aren't beholden to them in any way

I'm not no, but as I said I just worry about my reference and my deposit.

They have also implied many times that they can just come round whenever, when I have been more than reasonable with viewing times.

I wonder if theres any way if a landlord does buy it I can tell him I'll stay as long as he changes agents! lol