Buying House, current tenant wants to take plumbing out

ella_minnow

Hi all,

We have sale agreed subject to finance and survey on a house, which has been occupied by a tenant for about the past few years. I think she thought it was long term, and she put a new heating system in - wood burning stove, back boiler, flue lining and copper pipes.

Due to costs incurred, she had stated her intention to remove all of the above. I've now received a call from the EA saying she's offering to leave it in situ for £1000.

First, I imagine she can move the stove, but is she entitled to remove piping? Not sure of the difference between fixtures and fittings, or what the legal obligation is.

Secondly, I'm not sure of the safety of the installation - I can ask for certification, but will this be enough? Should I ask a plumber to come and check, and should I pay for this?

It seems like a fair enough price, as we'd probably have to pay more to reinstate similar, but I don't know if its a good deal or not.

Advice gratefully received.

DRP

I wouldn't be dealing with her at all, tbh.

I would be negotiating with your vendor only - you don't want to be chasing another individual when / if something goes wrong.

Say you'll knock off 1k the agreed price unless you have confirmation prior to exchange that she has left the property and the 'plumbing' etc is still in situ and working.

Given that the installation could be a load of crap anyway, I wouldn't be wanting to pay anything for it ...

Pixie5740

I agree, deal with the vendor not the tenant. You have no contract with the tenant so it's best just to stay out of it.

Are you positive that you want this property as I get a feeling that this tenant ain't going quietly.

Dan-Dan

That`ll be quite some mess if the Tenants serious and you dont buy it....

theartfullodger

What makes you think the tenant is leaving?? (Well, yes, she says she's taking stuff out...).

Unless current owner has served valid notices, got court order & has bailiffs lined up soon that tenant does not have to leave...

You could always buy & be her landlord: Problem solved!

teddysmum

Replacing with, for instance, a combi boiler and radiators will cost far more then £1000; more like £3000.

Tixy

Assuming the 'she' who is threatening to take / offering to leave the heating is the tenant then I would speak to the EA and say that whilst you would be willing to make an offer to the vendor now, you will not be prepared to move any further or incur any costs (surveys/searches/solicitors) until the property is vacant (and until you have seen the state of it once vacant).

martinthebandit

Tixy wrote: »

Assuming the 'she' who is threatening to take / offering to leave the heating is the tenant then I would speak to the EA and say that whilst you would be willing to make an offer to the vendor now, you will not be prepared to move any further or incur any costs (surveys/searches/solicitors) until the property is vacant (and until you have seen the state of it once vacant).

.......is the right answer, but I would also say to the EA that you will still be viewing other properties.

Hoploz

What a mess! What does the EA and vendor say? I'm assuming they are aware of her little goodwill offer?

She will be hard to get out. Has she had notice to leave? When? You cannot proceed until she is gone and has left it in good condition (either with or without the bits) Once she has gone you can renegotiate if necessary.

Hoploz

BTW, what she is 'entitled' to do, either installing or removing, will be determined by her contract with the landlord/vendor.

ella_minnow

No the tenant definitely has somewhere else now and I have a date for vacating - I'm holding off on all surveys etc until then. I think that's why she wants an answer, but obviously I wouldn't want to pay anything until I knew the sale was proceeding, so presumably she'd have to be happy to leave it there until that time.

Thanks all for replies - still no wiser about whether she is actually entitled to remove the pipes? If all goes to plan it does seem like a reasonable price.