FIXTURES WHEN BUYING

wiseoldbird77

I have offered the full asking price for a flat because I thought it would sell quickly. The vendor has been intent on selling all the furniture to me at a price similar to what he paid and has been a nightmare. I don't like most of it so I have resisted this. It feels as though he's trying to get as much money out of me as he can! There is a desk I quite like which is fixed to the wall. To remove it would leave holes in the wall. I asked my solicitor whether it's therefore a 'fixture'. He confirmed this and said it should be treated like the wardrobes and come with the flat. Has anyone else had a similar experience and had problems with a vendor trying to get them to buy furniture that's fixed? Can a seller ask you to pay separately for a fixture? 

user1977

They can ask what they like, you’re still negotiating at this stage.

Emmia

Also, I wouldn't worry about holes etc. you'll almost certainly need to repaint (and fill any holes) after the seller has moved their things out - furniture always leaves marks or shadows on the paintwork.

chanz4

Easy to fill a hole

arthurdick

In my experience, I have found  that, if you tell them that you do not want any of it, in most cases, they will leave it there anyway. 

sheramber

I  would yhink the makority of people selling want to get as much money as they can.

Have you pointe out to him that the desk is a fixture and  formed part of the sale?

wiseoldbird77

He gave me a long list and claimed he'd paid £20,000 for it! The desk is fixed to an exposed brick wall and the building is listed Grade 1. (It's just a small flat). Holes in the wall wouldn't be that easy to sort out and I'm quite old. Yes I have pointed out to the vendor it's a fixture, but he's just ignoring that. He is actually a solicitor although not in property. I'm offering on just a few light fittings and an illuminated bathroom mirror to try to compromise at the moment. Considering saying I don't want anything if he won't agree. My solicitor suggested I said I don't want any of it. This is alien to me as when I've sold in the past I've included furniture etc.

Schwarzwald

Doesnt matter what he paid for it
furniture doesnt retain value v well
would tell him the few bits you would take over, give him a price for it and that negotiation shld be over.

Skiddaw1

I'd go with your solicitor's advice and tell him you want none of it. I'd put even money on most of it still being in situ when you move in.

DullGreyGuy

Skiddaw1 said:

I'd go with your solicitor's advice and tell him you want none of it. I'd put even money on most of it still being in situ when you move in.

Thats what I assumed too but no, our seller actually took what they claimed were bespokely made blinds/curtains, sofas etc. In fact the only two things they left from their for sale list was an ugly light fitting and a built in washer/dryer that tripped the RCD whenever you tried to use the dryer. 

Sapindus

A lot of furniture is fixed to the wall these days for safety reasons, so I don't think that necessarily holds true as a definition of a "fixture".