Furniture/Carpets

Blotto17

Hi, we’re in the process of buying a flat. The vendor still has their furniture in there which they have asked for an extortionate price for. We have politely declined. They are now obliged to move it now right? They have fitted carpets on the floors. We want floorboards. Are they obliged to get rid of the carpets as well? 

daveyjp

Furniture are chattels, caprets are fixtures and fittings.  Chattels are removed, carpets aren't unless there is an agreement for them to be removed as part of the sale.

EssexHebridean

The carpets will be mentioned on the Fittings and Contents form, but it would be fairly unusual for them to be removed.

Is this a ground floor flat? If not, please think twice about opting for hard floors - it's not  very sociable thing to do in an upstairs flat with neighbours below! 

Robbo66

Blotto17 said:

Hi, we’re in the process of buying a flat. The vendor still has their furniture in there which they have asked for an extortionate price for. We have politely declined. They are now obliged to move it now right? They have fitted carpets on the floors. We want floorboards. Are they obliged to get rid of the carpets as well? 

Some leases prohibit the fitting of hardwood flooring, if it doesn't however you may need permission from the managing agent to remove the carpet and fit said flooring.

user1977

They're not obliged to do anything unless you've exchanged contracts. What's included (or not) is up for negotiation.

Blotto17

It’s in a large converted warehouse. It is very soundproof. If you buy the flats as new from the management company they come without any flooring at all and you have to install your own flooring be it carpets or floorboards. Some of it is already hardwood flooring. We just want it all like that. 

Albermarle

Blotto17 said:

Hi, we’re in the process of buying a flat. The vendor still has their furniture in there which they have asked for an extortionate price for. We have politely declined. They are now obliged to move it now right? They have fitted carpets on the floors. We want floorboards. Are they obliged to get rid of the carpets as well? 

Yes, but it would not be unheard of for some things of low value just to be left behind. It should not happen but if it does there is not a great deal you can do about it. Same as if they leave the carpets.

DullGreyGuy

Our sellers gave a list of items that they wanted some silly money for... the list included a fitted washer/dryer which I was surprised about as thought fitted items were included by default and likewise the light fitting in the bedroom. 

We declined everything and when we moved in the washer/dryer was still there, the light fitting too but slightly annoyingly they had removed the "bespoke blinds" but wasn't paying £1,500 for blinds for one window.  Turned out the washer was on its last legs but it got us through the first few months of home ownership. 

They should remove their property when they go but take a bit of realism with it... if you find a leftover pair of curtains etc then use them or bin them. Could understand if it was a lot of large/bulky items that require a skip/collection service to remove 

bobster2

Blotto17 said:

It’s in a large converted warehouse. It is very soundproof. If you buy the flats as new from the management company they come without any flooring at all and you have to install your own flooring be it carpets or floorboards. Some of it is already hardwood flooring. We just want it all like that. 

Generally what people do if they don't like the existing carpets in somewhere they buy is rip them out after they move in and dispose of them. Then replace with whatever flooring they prefer.

It's not really reasonable to expect the vendor to start this work for you - and then potentially live without carpets or suitable flooring for a while prior to completion day.

Blotto17

The property is listed as vacant 

prettyandfluffy

Blotto17 said:

The property is listed as vacant 

That means no one is living there, not that it is unfurnished or uncarpeted.