Buying a house, vendor wants £500 for burglar alarm.

Legacy_user

Hi all, I got a contents form through today for the house we are buying. They are downsizing into rented accommodation so on the form there is alot of stuff they have offered to sell to us, such as the american style fridge freezer for £300, dining table and chairs £200. All fair enough and I'll probably take them up on it as we need those items.

However, one of the items is the burglar alarm, and they want £500. Is this normal? Seems like it's part of the house to me.

Cheers,

D00gie72

I remember a conversaion I had with our EA and they said when you buy a house you are technically literally buying the bricks and mortar and land - any of the fixtures and fittings are up for negotiation and really not included int he sale.
Personally - if you don't want the burgular alarm just say no - it's probably more hassle for the vendor to remove - and probably worthless to them if they are moving into rented so I'd be surprised if they took it with them

ConfusedofYorkshire

I agree with above. Say you dint want it. I'm pretty sure it'll still be there when you move in. If not replace it if you really want one but I can't see them ripping it out.

ReadingTim

Seems a burglar/intruder alarm system is considered as part of the house (see here) so it seems like they're trying it on.

I'd therefore tell them to p!ss off as you're not paying a penny for it. Furthermore, tell them that if it's going to be removed, all removal work must be made good before you complete - hopefully the hassle of doing that means they'll leave it for nothing.

Slinky

Unless it's wireless so they can remove the bits easily, isn't it a fixture? I was once told that fixtures are the bits that would remain stuck in the house if you turned it upside down and shook it.

[Deleted User]

Tell them they don't need it and let them remove it lol, bet they leave it...

greatgimpo

If you offer them £50, it may deter them from taking it off the wall, smashing it and repairing the holes in the wall.

chris_m

greatgimpo wrote: »

If you offer them £50, it may deter them from taking it off the wall, smashing it and repairing the holes in the wall.

or leaving it but "forgetting" to tell you the code.

greatgimpo

chris_m wrote: »

or leaving it but "forgetting" to tell you the code.

If it's important to you, a burglar alarm company will neutralise the alarm allowing you to put your own number in.

SailorSam

You can buy a new alarm for a lot less than £500.
Threaten to drop out pf buying the house.

rpc

Slinky wrote: »

Unless it's wireless so they can remove the bits easily, isn't it a fixture? I was once told that fixtures are the bits that would remain stuck in the house if you turned it upside down and shook it.

That's more or less the Scottish definition. The English system seems to use a "whatever you can negotiate" approach which leads to removal of carpets, ceiling roses, fireplaces, etc.