Fixtures and fittings

Nicha134

We've had a bit of a nightmare as sellers and wondered if anyone knows our 'rights' ...

We're due to complete tomorrow and, as we no longer live in the property, we've had some difficulty in getting the last of our items out of the house. However, all apart from a few items left in the garage (which are being cleared in the morning prior to completion) the house has now been cleared. Our buyers have contacted their solicitors on an almost daily basis asking if we've cleared it yet, wanting confirmation its all cleared before completion, wanting to check the property before they agree to complete etc etc which we're finding stressful to say the least (we've only had 8 days between exchange and completion to organise removals).

We've heard from our estate agent that our buyer is now saying he wants us to remove items which are on the fixtures and fittings list - items we had agreed were part of the sale and we assumed they were happy with as they had the list to check over before we exchanged contracts. (Items in question are washing machine, dishwasher and range cooker)

We've spent a fortune already (due to the short notice) on getting everything removed from the property and I don't believe we could arrange to get these items removed before completion tomorrow anyway. Buyer is now asking us to pay for a skip (should the property not be cleared) which we assumed was for the items remaining in the garage but I am troubled that they now want us to pay for removal of the washing machine, dishwasher and range cooker aswell.

If they have signed and exchanged contracts knowing these items are included can they now (in the last remaining 18 hours before completion) demand we pay for them to be removed?

G_M

If you don't want to remove them, just say no!

Sorted.

The buyers can then either accept this or pull out. What sort of an idiot pulls out of a purchase at the last minute because the seller is giving them more than they expect /want!!!?

Tuscan

surly if they exchanged contract with the items listed as included, then they have bought them along with the house. think id tell them no and if they pull out they will be liable for cost and lose there deposit or more

matttye

The exchange of contracts is a binding agreement.

They can't demand you remove items they agreed to keep unless there is a clause in the contract which states they can change their mind about such items. If they pull out now, you can sue them.

Speak to your solicitor.

roje

There are some freaks in this world. Who says no to a free washing machine/range cooker?! If you don't want it, sell it on.

King_Slayer

If they've exchanged and they're on the list then it's their problem! If they pull out because of this then they're liable, so tell them to politely do one.

ivavoucher

roje wrote: »

There are some freaks in this world. Who says no to a free washing machine/range cooker?! If you don't want it, sell it on.

I must be a freak because I don't want someone elses second hand washing machine!:eek:

even if it is free.

Saying that, they should have stipulated this before exchange, it's too late now.

Mallotum_X

ivavoucher wrote: »

I must be a freak because I don't want someone elses second hand washing machine!:eek:

even if it is free.

Saying that, they should have stipulated this before exchange, it's too late now.

Last house I sold the buyers were adamant they wanted the washer. It had broken down before the house went up for sale, and despite them being told it was broken they wanted it anyway, I assume they didn't believe it was broken. Still it saved me a trip to the tip.