Fixtures and Fittings

Sphynx

I hate negotiating on these sorts of things. We tend not to have a great deal of ‘fitted’ things, so our wardrobes, white goods etc are freestanding. We have filled out our list of what we are taking and now I am feeling guilty about it. We are taking our wood burning stove and the curtain poles. We can use both in the new house and they were expensive. I’ve said I will put up a replacement track where possible. I’m sure when I moved last time I didn’t expect anything to be left but it seems to have shifted now and people expect to have much more left and as part of the house price. I have offered the buyer of our property the stove from the house we are moving to (if they leave it). They are asking us to block the chimney. I feel bad but we took a hit on our asking price and need every penny for our onward move. Am I being completely unreasonable? Also will they be expecting us to leave things like mirrors that we have screwed to to wall rather than hanging? I said we would leave our bedroom wardrobe, but not the large oak one which was £2500. Aargh! What do you think? 

davidmcn

I would think it odd to remove stoves and curtain poles. It's not really what they cost you which is relevant - if you had paid a lot of money for a fitted kitchen, would you be taking it with you?

theoretica

If you unscrew things from the wall, I would expect a seller to touch up the holes - not to leave outlines of the things that have gone and the property looking more in need of redecoration than it was when viewed.

Wouldn't it be easier to replace the curtain pole with a cheap pole rather than a track?

NameUnavailable

I wouldn't expect wardrobes, unless the built in sort to be left, but I'd be pretty annoyed if a nice fireplace was ripped out!

Who cares about curtain poles, the new people might prefer blinds or different type curtains to the ones you had (rings instead of clips etc).

OTOH it's down to the buyer to make it clear when offering what they expect that to include (carpets etc.) but I personally wouldn't even think to ask if a fireplace/stove was staying as I wouldn't imaging anyone removing that.

FtbDreaming

IMO they are paying for the house not your belongings. I wouldn’t expect any fittings to be left and if they were I’d see it as a bonus (or annoying of its rubbish I’d have to get rid of). 

I do think the stove is integrated into the house and was a potential selling point. I don’t think it’s fair to take that. Just like you wouldn’t take the kitchen sink or worktop. 

hazyjo

Agree, wouldn't have crossed my mind that someone would take the wood burning stove. Was it mentioned in the EA's particulars? If so, it's not great (or usual) to be taking it!

Curtain poles - I've taken them and curtains before, I think, prob many many moons ago when I was young and skint. Definitely wouldn't take either now. Not loaded, just like to decorate and wouldn't want the same stuff or colours.

[Deleted User]

I'd probably offer to leave replacement cheaper curtain poles if I asked the buyer and they said they'd like them (no point if they aren't going to use them).  Wilko's do decent not expensive ones.  However removing a wood stove is a different thing.., you are probably going to leave damage if you remove it.  I'd get a newer better one in the new house.  Most of the original cost would be the installation surely?

Splatfoot

Ooh definitely don't take the Stove. That's not usual. Unless they say they don't want it if course. 

Splatfoot

I would be taking the freestanding wardrobes. 

MovingForwards

Take your house, turn it upside down, anything that falls isn't included in a sale / purchase. Eg anything not screwed in.

If I viewed a property which had a wood burning stove, then it not be included in the sale, I would automatically be reducing my offer further. Hopefully there's no mention of a nice, homely, wood burner in the particulars and any viewers will be advised of the 'fixtures' you are taking.

Flugelhorn

I don't think it is usual to take a wood burning stove, ours was very firmly fixed into the fireplace, no way would it have come out without a huge mess which would have cost loads to fix.  taking lots of things leads to a lot more work on the days around moving - do you really want to be climbing up ladders and sorting curtain poles?