Cheeky Vendor?

holg123

Hi

My partner and I are in the process of buying our first home. The house was advertised as 'offers in the region of' £250,000. We offered £240,000 and was rejected, the vendor told us he wanted no less than £250,000, so we went through with the sale anyway.

The house was advertised with solar panels and high tech CCTV (we were informed this was built in)
The vendor then contacted my partner directly over text asking if he could keep the solar panels and CCTV. Where do we go from here?
I feel if he wants to keep those items then we should get the house for less than £250,000, do we discuss this through the estate agent or what (as first time buyers, we aren't completely clued up)

I have done some research into the removal of solar panels and from what i've read they can leave some damage to the roof and i'm concerned if the vendor does go ahead and removes them, that he won't repair the roof. i just don't want to get ripped off but feel like I am being.

Also if anyone knows of any other implications that removing solar panels would have to any utilities and their systems in my house, please do share anything!

TIA
Holly

Stubod

..not sure why they would want to go to all the trouble of removing solar panels...what do they expect you to do, buy some more? Seems very bizarre to me and yes I am sure it would leave a right mess. If it was me I would not accept them removing anything if they want to go through with the sale....but I suppose it depends how much you want the property.

G_M

I would tell the vender that the solar panels etc were one of the reasons you were attracted to the property and that if he plans to remove them you will withdraw your offer and look elsewhere.


Are the solar panels photovoltaic? Wired into the house electrics? Is there a buy-back arrangement where you earn money from feeding into the grid?

anselld

As far as the price is concerned tell the agent your offer was inclusive "as seen" and that you do not wish to negotiate any side deals with the vendor. Ask them to confirm offer acceptance via memorandum of sale.

However you also need to confirm the status of the solar panels. If they are fully owned then the Feed in Tariff stays with the house anyway. There is no point the vendor taking them because they cannot take the contract. If they are "rent a roof" then they are not the vendors to take and you should check mortgageability carefully before proceeding. So it comes down simply to the vendor trying to rinse you for more money - stand firm or look elsewhere if you think games will continue.

lookstraightahead

Cheeky? Downright con