Haggling over fixtures and fittings; removal of vendor's junk

grifferz

Our house purchase is going sooooo slowly.

We had an email from our solicitor today saying that the vendors are offering to sell us their oven, fridge/freezer and washing machine for £100 each.

The items concerned are not top of the range to begin with and from what we can see you could easily buy better ones new for only very slightly more, so we're not overly interested.

We would like to renovate the kitchen at some point but not right way, so it would be handy to have the oven there and working and not have to go to the hassle of buying a new one and getting a gas fitter to fit it.

As far as the fridge/freezer goes, if they left it for free then fine but otherwise it doesn't look like something we'd want to buy from them.

My partner has totally vetoed keeping their washing machine and wants a new one.

So, I'm thinking of responding that we'll offer them £50 for the oven if they can confirm it is in safe and working order, but we don't want the other two items and expect to see them removed prior to exchange. Does that sound reasonable?

We believe that the vendors have already moved out into rented accommodation and so I think they will consider having to dispose of their kitchen appliances to be a major hassle. I expect they will come back and say they just intend to leave the appliances there for free.

Would it be petty to hold up exchange over the removal of a washing machine? How much does it cost to have the people who deliver a new washing machine disconnect the old one and take it away? If we're talking £50 then maybe we could just ask them to leave all the appliances for free, if it comes down to this.

The other thing is, when I was last there I noticed that the loft was full of their junk. I am concerned that they are just going to leave it all behind. Is it worth me asking the solicitor to get them to confirm they will clear out the loft?

Having never done this before I've no idea what level of clearing out of vendor's junk is normal when you buy a house..

Riggster

I'm sure you could get a shiny, clean, new oven (including installation) for £150 from Currys or somewhere.

If your budget is tight then maybe give them £50/£100 for the oven.

Isn't the oven part of the fixtures and fittings, though?

It's entirely reasonable to expect/insist that the house is clear of all their possessions and junk. Tell your solicitor that they need to agree to this prior to exchange of contracts.

Also remember that you are in the trump position as the buyer. What if you walked away from the purchase, then they'd be stuck (I know you won't, but what if...)?

And worse case is, you have to make a few trips to the tip to dispose of their junk/unwanted white goods (the oven might cost you say £30 to have a gas safe engineer to disconnect). Even if you haven't a car, you could hire a van for £60 for the day,

Don't get stressed out, you've nearly the got the house of your dreams!

PasturesNew

£30 new "Mini Oven" from Lidl/other places.... stuff his old tat.... handy when you start knocking the kitchen about as you've still got an oven - and handy when it's finished as you've got an extra oven for big days, or if you're just heating up one pie,

olly300

grifferz wrote: »

My partner has totally vetoed keeping their washing machine and wants a new one.

So, I'm thinking of responding that we'll offer them £50 for the oven if they can confirm it is in safe and working order, but we don't want the other two items and expect to see them removed prior to exchange. Does that sound reasonable?

It's actually hassle for them to remove everything.

If you want their curtains (while you settle ) and a few other things as well offer them an amount for everything. If they start being picky tell them to take everything.

The reason for that is it's a hassle for them to disconnect everything and move it. They will also find that second hand their goods are worth nothing.

Make sure they list the exact items you are going to leave so they don't dump their worthless appliances on you.

grifferz wrote: »

Would it be petty to hold up exchange over the removal of a washing machine? How much does it cost to have the people who deliver a new washing machine disconnect the old one and take it away? If we're talking £50 then maybe we could just ask them to leave all the appliances for free, if it comes down to this.

Curry's and the like will not disconnect the old washing machine. You need to disconnect it yourself and make sure all the water has drained out. This is very easy to do. (Google for Youtube videos now if you don't have a clue how to do it.)

However you are better of if the washing machine isn't completely sh*t going over to the old style board and learning how to clean a washing machine out.

There is no point spending money if you don't need to.

I still have the washing machine from my vendor but then again it's a decent make.

grifferz wrote: »

I am concerned that they are just going to leave it all behind. Is it worth me asking the solicitor to get them to confirm they will clear out the loft?

Yes and make sure you have their new address so you can pursue them if they don't do it plus leave things you didn't ask for once they found you aren't paying for their cr*p.

outdoorcjc

At lot of companies will recycle old appliances when delivering new ones for free / a nominal amount, so if they do leave it you shouldn't end up paying lots to have it taken away.

phoebe1989seb

If you could make use of their white goods it may be worth giving them something (but definitely not £100 each ) for them, then when you upgrade the kitchen sell these on eBay........we just sold a ten year old spare basic brand freezer for £65, so it can be worth it

When we sold my parents' house last year we included oven, fridge, washing machine and freezer (all around ten years old except the freezer that was almost new) in the agreed sale price which were gratefully accepted by the FTBs.......

jackomdj

I would say no thanks, they may well end up leaving it. If not use freecycle until you want new :-)

japmis

grifferz wrote: »

The other thing is, when I was last there I noticed that the loft was full of their junk. I am concerned that they are just going to leave it all behind. Is it worth me asking the solicitor to get them to confirm they will clear out the loft?

Having never done this before I've no idea what level of clearing out of vendor's junk is normal when you buy a house..

When I inspected the property I've just bought before contract exchange (to verify the tenant had vacated) I found the garage full of junk and rubble. I told the EA and my solicitor that I wouldn't complete until the garage had been cleared and I had had the opportunity to re-inspect to make sure it had actually gone!

grifferz

japmis wrote: »

When I inspected the property I've just bought before contract exchange (to verify the tenant had vacated) I found the garage full of junk and rubble. I told the EA and my solicitor that I wouldn't complete until the garage had been cleared and I had had the opportunity to re-inspect to make sure it had actually gone!

Okay, thanks, so I would not be totally out of line to tell them they need to have cleared out the loft before we will exchange.

grifferz

olly300 wrote: »

It's actually hassle for them to remove everything.

If you want their curtains (while you settle ) and a few other things as well offer them an amount for everything. If they start being picky tell them to take everything.

Yeah, like I say, because we know they've already moved out I think it is likely they are just going to leave everything and are chancing their luck that we'll pay something for things that they will prefer to just leave behind anyway.

I haven't yet seen the full list of fixtures and fittings, maybe I should ask solicitor to provide that before we answer specifically for the kitchen appliances..

The house was already almost bare when we viewed it so after the kitchen appliances are considered there is really only the curtains, a sofa and two beds.

hamster2013

do your research before refusing anything
you could also try negociating the price down

i just bought a brand new fridge, regular one... almost £300
a new gas stand alone cooker+over = £400
washing machine = £200

so better check the disturbingly low prices people are quoting....
unless its an under counter fridge, i dont see where we can get one slightly above £100 brand new...