Seller Adding On Costs After Agreed Price

Tatters26

Just wanted thoughts on this as we cannot be the first. Me and my partner had an offer accepted on a recently renovated property that is vacant and ready to be moved into. We are living with family with a mortgage approved, so we're chain free and very attractive to the buyer. Our offer of £4950 under asking was accepted and all seemed fine, paperwork being processed, mortgage sorted, etc.

Then a form came across from his solicitor to ours ask for £700+ for white goods in the brand new kitchen. Fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine; all three integrated.

During the viewing we were told it was all included, and why would anyone assume otherwise? It's not a show-home, these were brand new and all fitted into the kitchen and we were shown all of them.

Anyway the estate agent is now going down the route of "we assumed it was all included, like you guys did, but we haven't got anything in writing to say it was..." and are trying to distance themselves from what we were told in person at the viewing. 

I'm 100% convinced the seller was happy for it to all be included in the deal, but when its come to paperwork time, he's added on the costs for those items to try and make back some of the money he accepted below asking. So I don't think the estate agent has done much wrong, but they could've been a bit clearer. I just think he's being cheeky and thought I might as well try and add this all on.

Do we cut off our nose to spite our face and say take it all away, but probably spend £1000+ on those products ourselves? Or pay-up/ offer a lesser figure?

deannagone

The EA has explained that they thought the same as you.  You didn't clarify, they didn't, and get it in writing so personally I agree, the seller is trying it on.

Up to you what you do about it, but I wouldn't waste time blaming the EA.  You didn't clarify either lol. It doesn't sound like it was deliberate.

Tatters26

We asked the estate agent when we viewed is it all included. She said yes, and there was no hesitation. 

I think the seller has decided to try it on. I guess we got to cough up or tell them to take it away

canaldumidi

This is down tothe seller, not the EA.

And how you resolve it is between you and the seller. Either

agree to pay £700 and move on or - if it were me - refuse and say you will buy your own white goods later. I doubt the seller will go tothe trouble and cost of removing them only to be left with white goods he does not want himself. Call his bluff and he'll agree to leave them.

user1977

Just call their bluff - they're not going to get anywhere near that by flogging second-hand appliances elsewhere, and chances are they're not going to install them in their next place.

Doozergirl

Are they included in the sales particulars? 

Sometimes it says 'space for washing machine' but sometimes it will actually include the brand etc.   The sellers have signed those details off. 

Lean on the agent about it.  Make it their problem if they are included on the particulars. 

I had it a long time ago where the agent had agreed the freestanding appliances somehow in the sale without permission and they reduced their fee to us by the cost of them. 😬. But if the seller has signed off the particulars with them included, they should be.  

Typically integrated appliances are included, freestanding are not... 

UnderOffer

Offer half the price, ie £375 they may well accept that if they think you will want them to remove the items. 

JosephK

Depends how much hassle you want, seller probably trying it on but £700 probably not much in the grand scheme of things.

Options:-
a) Agree £700
b) Try counter offer, say, £350
c) Offer nothing on grounds they likely wouldn't bother to remove fitted appliances

Tatters26

I have leant on the EA who are now saying they acted on good faith and assumption (exact word) it was included but admit they didn't ask. Like us, they assumed. But when we asked they should've admitted it was guesswork and not just said yes it all is.

I think the same, we'll just say no and buy our own. We have literally no idea of the brand/ model/ RRP etc of any of it.

Crashy_Time

Seller will be annoyed they had to drop price by 5k, in this climate they are lucky it wasn`t 10k or more, tell them no.

Strummer22

I love crashy's one-person campaign. I suppose waiting 13 years for another crash gives you an opportunity to save up a big deposit... if you haven't spent it all on rent.