When do fixture and fittings list come?

putopao

Hi,
FTB here. I just want to ask when should we receive the F&F list? Is it after all the searches come? Or I can follow it up to my solicitor now/anytime? Thanks.

AdrianC

It's after the vendor gets round to filling it in...

putopao

But when? It’s been a month since we had our offer accepted, mortgage in place and survey done. Is it ok to ask the sols for the F&F list already? 

Tiglet2

Has your solicitor received the draft contract pack from the seller's solicitor?  This would normally contain the F&F form (if the vendor has filled it in and sent it back).  Then the solicitor would normally write to you (sometimes called a "first letter to client") enclosing the title/plan, F&F and a copy of the lease (if leasehold).  You are then asked to check that the plan is accurate, i.e. what is showing on the ground when you viewed, is as shown on the title plan, you can view the F&F to show what is included/excluded etc, and the lease for you to read through and query anything you don't understand.  If the solicitor does have a copy of the F&F, then I'm sure they can send you a copy, but solicitors often do things in batches rather than piece meal and at the moment with offices closing and people working from home, it may be that the F&F is in a physical file somewhere which would need photocopying/scanning in order to send to you.  

GDB2222

I would definitely ask. In fact, you can ask the vendors direct, or via the estate agent. It should come via the solicitor as it’s part of the sale documentation, but you can chase it any way you want.

The real question is why it has taken so long. You are entitled to know what you are buying before going too far with the purchase, and I’d have been chasing it already!

Thrugelmir

Is the chain above complete ?

putopao

There is no onward chain. 

AlexMac

Tiglet2 said:

Has your solicitor received the draft contract pack from the seller's solicitor?  This would normally contain the F&F form (if the vendor has filled it in and sent it back).  ... I'm sure they can send you a copy, but solicitors often do things in batches rather than piece meal and at the moment with offices closing and people working from home, it may be that the F&F is in a physical file somewhere which would need photocopying/scanning in order to send to you.  

as well as 

AdrianC said:

It's after the vendor gets round to filling it in...

So there are too many variables, including whether you've chosen a solicitor who's happy to work on email;  you'd be surprised how many prefer paper and snail mail.  Probably too late now, but I always agree the former (e-mailing me) when appointing a conveyancer.

So when I've sold a property, as I have done a few times in the past ten years, I as a vendor, not only try to speed things up by having a solicitor lined up before I sell, but also asking them to send the standard forms to me by email, and crucially returning these within 24 hours of receipt.  The F&F forms are a standard document, so my lawyer sends them out to me the minute a sale is agreed, and then has them ready from day 2 or 3- unless the buyer's solicitor has any weird predeliction to vary from the norm! For example on my last sale, the buyer was happy to accept my free offers of kitchen white goods (which would have been a booger to move- have you tried lifting a washing machine?), but wanted the F&F form amended to require me to strip out even the fitted (IKEA) wardrobe, nice neutral custom-made blinds and the curtain poles!! 

But add in delays like; the seller not getting around to appointing a solicitor prior, or theier delay in signing the instruction to act and a paying the solicitor's deposit, the use of snail mail, idleness or delay on the part of the vendor to fill in the forms and get round to mailing them back... and you can see how even that simple initial step can stretch out into weeks.  
Which doesn't usually matter, as all the other stuff takes longer... 

And of course, there's sheer idleness or incompetence.  One of my sales stalled for a week, because although the solicitor seemed to be on board with this new-fangled interwebby and email stuff (they even used a proprietary online tracking software sytem to let clients see where their transaction was along a multi-step procedure checklist) they hadn't actually checked their email in box for a few days!  They were pretty slack in updating the online checklist too.

So ask, politely as Tiglet says, but ...don't panic.

Thrugelmir

putopao said:

There is no onward chain. 

probate sale? 

putopao

I emailed the sols, hopefully she can provide me with an answer or atleast chase the seller.

[Deleted User]

I chased this today (chain of 5 parties, 4 properties being sold/bought). My solicitor said they would get the fixtures & fittings with the draft contract pack, and they could not begin searches until they have the draft contract.
Annoying as I know my local authority are still doing searches, with a 3 day turnaround.