Built in hot tub

newhomeOx

Hi all,

We're buying a new property and it includes a built in hot tub. It's one of those square hot tub and they have made a hole in the decking to put it in. We didn't mention this in the conditions of the sale as I wasn't bothered about having a hot tub and did not realise it was built into the decking.

The sellers now want to charge us to keep the hot tub. I don't really want the hot tub but I also don't want a massive hole in the decking structure as it will be difficult to fix. Where do we stand with this legally?

Thanks

la531983

Legally you either take the house with the hot tub or you take the house without the hot tub but with a hole in the decking.  They dont have to "fix" the decking. Far as they are concerned it isnt broken.
Its as simple as that really. If you feel that strongly about it you either pull out of the sale or you amend the offer to account for the fact you will need to fix the decking, they may not go for this though.

user1977

If you haven't exchanged contracts then you stand nowhere legally, as you're still negotiating.

Brie

Well you could try saying no to buying the hot tub and see what they say. 

Frankly I expect they have just realised it would be a pig for them to try to move it but also likely cheaper for you to plug the hole if it's gone than to buy and maintain it or have it removed yourself and then having to sort the decking.

mabbit

I would suggest offering the vendor the following options

(I) They remove the hot tub, andveither make good the decking or reduce price by £2k

(Ii) They leave the hot tub, and pay you £1k, as you are concerned about the costs of ongoing maintenance and don't really want a hot tub 

Comment that you may be flexible with regards to the £1k payment in option (ii), but the price reduction in (i) is firm

pinkshoes

You will need to negotiate.

Tell them you do not want the hot tub so ask that it be taken.

You might also negotiate that they need to make good the decking area or remove the decking area. 

Robin9

Be careful what you will accept as "make good".  The seller might think a sheet or two of plywood - you might be wanting to match the rest of the decking.

bluelad1927

If you definitely don't want the hot tub ( I wouldnt want it) I'd be telling them to remove it as a condition of sale. It could be quite expensive to get rid yourself afterwards. Hot tubs are often craned in. Presumably they can be broken up to dispose of but if not get ready for an even bigger bill

They may say its a condition of sale that it stays but then that's up to you how you proceed

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

newhomeOx said:

The sellers now want to charge us to keep the hot tub.

You say "no thank you, but if you do decide to remove, please ensure the decking structure is completely removed as well please as I don't wish to purchase the house at the agreed price with decking that has a large hole in it"

They clearly don't want it, the hassle of taking it with the risk annoying the purchaser of the house should lead anyone sensible to leave it. 

What is the value of a 2nd hand hot tub with no consumer rights and (likely) no warranty that could pack up working in 6 weeks time anyway? 

ManuelG

Call their bluff. What are they going to do with it after they've removed it? Basically they don't want it and hope you'll give them some cash.

Might of course end up with a hole, but I'd lay odds they'll just end up leaving the hot tub... and if they don't and you don't really want it, the hole will be (relatively!) cheap to fix.

sheramber

It will probably be cheaper to fix the deck or get a new one fitted than pay for a hot tub you don't want and will cost money to run and maintain.