Built in hot tub

Grumpy_chap

newhomeOx said:

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

Simply respond (via the EA / Solicitor, depends on which stage you are at) that you will not pay to keep the hot tub and the vendors are free to take that with them, but you will require the decking made good to match existing and this is required to ensure safety as decking with a hole in is not safe.

Rodders53

Not forgetting to make the electrical supply safe, too.

A hot tub built into a deck will be a pita to service and drain down / winterise as bits will be under the decking in all likelihood.

Herzlos

Grumpy_chap said:

newhomeOx said:

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

Simply respond (via the EA / Solicitor, depends on which stage you are at) that you will not pay to keep the hot tub and the vendors are free to take that with them, but you will require the decking made good to match existing and this is required to ensure safety as decking with a hole in is not safe.

That way you are guaranteeing that it'll be left for OP to dispose of themselves, which will be a PITA.

I'd be asking for them to remove the hot tub and ensuring the wiring is safe. Patching up the deck shouldn't be too hard.

It's also likely the deck was built around the hot tub, rather than a hole being cut for it later.

NameUnavailable

newhomeOx said:

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

You say 'it includes a hot tub' - so was the property 'sold' to you with the hot tub included? Or was it just not mentioned and you assumed it was included?

Either way I guess it isn't much of an issue as you say you don't want it so this could now work in your favour because it would be quite a hassle and cost for you to have it removed.

So, I would respond saying that you assumed that they would be taking it (as it wasn't mentioned in the negotiations) and that you now realise as it's built into the decking that you will need to make good, therefore need £X off the price to allow for the repairs to the decking.

They will of course push back or offer to do the work themselves. If you agree to them doing the work make it a condition that you inspect the work before exchanging contracts.

What you don't want is that they just leave it behind and then leave you with the costs and hassle of having it removed AND making good!

I know hot tubs are very expensive new (a mate bought one recently and paid about £5K) but what's a used one worth, given the removal costs and possible damage etc. ?

secla

The cost of removing and making good would be more than the value of the tub. There not cheap to run so if you don't want it I would push for them to remove before sale

ThisIsWeird

Hi NHOx.

"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..."

'Wasn't bothered', and 'don't really'. 

How should we interpret this? Is it, "I wouldn't buy one myself, but - hey - if someone gives one to me, I'm happy to have it...", or is it closer to "I really don't want it, and will not use it, and will have it removed"?

(Surprising how "don't really" and "really don't" have subtle differences in meaning!)

If you really don't want it, then your options are to ask for them to take it and make good the decking - as the presence of the decking was 'a' factor in your valuation and purchase of the house (if given a choice of two otherwise identical houses, you'd choose the one with the decking, and could even pay a small extra premium for it). Of course, they can tell you 'No'.

If you are actually ok with having the hot tub, and would use it on occasion, then I suggest be fair and offer what it's worth to you. £500?

If you just call their bluff and say you don't want it, and won't pay anything for it, they may well take you on your word - I wonder if it'll still be working when you move in?

MultiFuelBurner

If they leave it and you don't want to use it as a hot tub then Hot Tub Pond?

Albermarle

secla said:

The cost of removing and making good would be more than the value of the tub. There not cheap to run so if you don't want it I would push for them to remove before sale

They seem to be worth more than you might imagine. Although of course the OP would not get these prices and there is the removal cost. However could be worth a grand maybe.

Pre-Owned Hot Tubs | Hunsbury Hot Tubs

Ksw3

We refused to buy a hot tub, they left it behind as they realised they couldn't move it and had nowhere to put it. We really didn't want it so it then became our problem.

They won't take it. 

secla

Albermarle said:

secla said:

The cost of removing and making good would be more than the value of the tub. There not cheap to run so if you don't want it I would push for them to remove before sale

They seem to be worth more than you might imagine. Although of course the OP would not get these prices and there is the removal cost. However could be worth a grand maybe.

Pre-Owned Hot Tubs | Hunsbury Hot Tubs

These are large heavy things that take several people and sometimes specialist equipment to move depending on the property and the access available, As someone has said its not unusual to see them being craned into houses. When you factor in that and then rectifying the decking etc. its not cheap for something you dont really want. most also take a fair chunk in maintenance and electric to keep to