To cook or not to cook!!!

Smarty_pants

APOLOGIES IF YOU'VE READ THIS ON ANOTHER THREAD BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE I GOT SOME RESPONSES

I'm in the process of purchasing a house. My solicitors are still awaiting the mortgage pack which will include the list of items the vendor is leaving.

When originally viewing the property I was not informed what items were being left and I assumed (wrongly) that as the appliances in the kitchen appeared to be integrated they would be left.

I telephoned the estate agents yesterday to inquire whether the washing machine was a dryer as well. The estate agent got back to say that the machine was being taken. Obviously I was surprised but when I think about it the door to the washing machine is not attached to the cupboard.

On hearing this news, I thought I better check if the dishwasher (which is located in an island and the 7 burner gas cooker is being taken. My main problem is that if they decide to take the cooker it is going to leave a great big gaping space (I only need a regular 4 burner cooker, but would use the cooker left) and am concerned of the damage when removing it from the property.

I've asked the EA to go back to vendors to find out if these items are being left. I know it was my responsibility to ask these questions when viewing, but shouldnt the EA know this information already, and where do I stand legally when it comes to them taking the cooker and the look of the kitchen afterwards?

All information and advice would be greatly appreciated.

divadee

Nothing really you can do about the look of the kitchen if they do remove everything. The solicitor will send you a fixtures and fittings list of everything that will be left and then you will know what you will be left with. They have to leave everything that they state on the fixtures and fittings list.

You could negotiate on the appliances and see how much they would sell them for to you.

Other than that you cant do much else really, sorry couldnt have better news.

lush_walrus

As above there is nothing you can do should they choose to take thier cooker, or any other fixtures and fittings with them. The only thing they really have to do is ensure that anything electrical is not left exposed, therefore theymust not leave any bare wires anywhere just left live. They can however, providing the electrics are left safe take everything including carpets. This is really a question you should have got around to either asking the vendor or asking the EA to enqiure for you.

Im not surprised the EA doesn't know, its nothing to do with them unless you use it as a negotiation tactic, ie I will offer £200,000 if you leave the white goods etc. BUT even then, nothing is concrete until the fixtures and fittings list is filled in, which is the responsibility of your solicitor, until this point the vendor (obviously at the risk of annoying the buyer and loosing them) can say whatever they like and go back on it.

If however, in the fixtures and fittings list they tick something is being left, only to take it later you can take legal proceedings, as you have officially paid for that item.

Im afraid its a live and learn situation on this one. Its very very rare that any vendor will take an integral cooker, as getting it and then fitting it into their new kitchen is more effort than its worth, the ones that people will generally take are aga's etc.

Getyour agent to talk to the vendors now about what they are planning to leave, so that you still have time to negotiate them leaving things prior to the information being entered onto the fixtures and fittings form. If the vendors do propose to take something which you would prefer left, then it may just be a matter of seeing if they will sell it to you, and negotiate on the price of say the cooker.

Smarty_pants

Thanks divadee and lush walrus for your feedback, much appreciated.

Pal

If you were feeling brave, you could always threaten to pull out of the purchase unless they leave the cooker etc....

brummybloke

yup, if they want to sell the house THAT much, tell them that you expect the whitegoods that are fixed to be left behind, the last thing you need is to stump up £2000 on stuff for the kitchen when you are brassic.

and as mentioned if they become snotty try and get a deal for the stuff, obviously for 1/2 hand stuff you will be paying no more than 25% of their value.

this will also save you money on having a gas fitter come out to refix new stuff for you.

Pal

And if you leave it right up until a few days before completion before telling them that you want the whitegoods thrown in, they face the propect of not being able to move any time soon if you pull out. Essentially this is gazundering by another name but if they are being petty enough to want to take a fitted cooker then there is no reason why you can't be petty back. If you are an FTB with no chain behind you then even better.

As long as you are happy to risk not getting the house, of course.

lush_walrus

I would never recommend that anyone threatens to pull out over something that they don't genuinely feel is a big enough issue to pull out over. Some people are stubborn enough to call your bluff, and if they do, then potentially you could loose the house youwant.

Give the vendors a chance they may well be happy to leave the things you really want. But try not to threaten anything you wouldnt genuinely go through with and I definately wouldnt say do it at the last minute before exchange as this is considered to be a very dirty tactic akin to blackmail essentially, which won't win you many friends and will definately delay and confuse the move.

bridiej

Pal wrote:

And if you leave it right up until a few days before completion before telling them that you want the whitegoods thrown in, they face the propect of not being able to move any time soon if you pull out. Essentially this is gazundering by another name but if they are being petty enough to want to take a fitted cooker then there is no reason why you can't be petty back. If you are an FTB with no chain behind you then even better.

As long as you are happy to risk not getting the house, of course.

I'm glad you're not the person buying our house :eek:

Smarty_pants

Thanks everyone for your feedback

The estate agent got back to me and have confirmed that they they will be leaving the cooker and dishwasher (phew).

Just sorting out the problems with the damp and woodworm infestation :eek:
Vendors have guarantees so hopefully that will rectify the situation but as I'm such a squeemish kind of girl, I may even get the treatment done over - just to make sure!!

Finger crossed that exchange goes ahead by the end of the month