They're taking the curtain poles and fitted units. Is this normal?

(221 Posts)
ThePurpleCarrot Wed 19-Jun-13 09:08:47

We're buying our first house and I've just received the property information form. I'm shocked that it says the sellers are taking their curtains rails/poles/pelmets.

It says they are also taking their fitted units from bedrooms, hallway, living room, dining room.

Are we dealing with difficult people or is this normal behaviour in London area?

burberryqueen Wed 19-Jun-13 09:10:09

not normal IME

Cavort Wed 19-Jun-13 09:15:40

Not normal. Some people are just arses.

ThePurpleCarrot Wed 19-Jun-13 09:21:42

Do you think it's over-reacting to pull the plug on this for sale for this reason alone?

It is our first house however it's a bog standard house - nothing special at all. We've only paid the solicitor £300 and my gut instinct is that I don't want to deal with people who behave like this. There are red flags waving at me.

DH is away with work just now so I can't vent at him.

magichamster Wed 19-Jun-13 09:25:00

I would say not normal, and walk away. It will mean added expense for you to make good where the fitted furniture was, not to mention that the carpets will probably only go up to where the fitted furniture went.

If there's plenty of other properties out there for a similar price, I'd be out having a look.

Bizarre behaviour. I would walk away or use it as a bargaining those are fixtures and not something up for negotation. Leave them or we will walk away.

Years ago my parents bought a house where the guy did something similar. He removed all lightfittings and I think almost all lightbulbs. He wanted £100 (and this was 30 years ago) for hideous sideboard which was almost a fitting as it included the hatch between kitchen and dining room. My parents said take it.

ThePurpleCarrot Wed 19-Jun-13 09:32:36

Magic - there's no carpets (but still!)

Isn't it weird. They need us more than we need them. We are cash buyers and they have found a house they want to buy. It's not as if we haggled on the asking price of the house.

reggiebean Wed 19-Jun-13 09:36:35

I thought this was normal. Every house we viewed we had to specify what was being taken and what was left. It should be in your contract what the sale includes, even down to light fittings. Was yours not?

ThePurpleCarrot Wed 19-Jun-13 09:37:35

I'm going through the paperwork. They are taking their doorbell/door chime, their CLOTHES LINE (!) all their light shades and the curtains/blinds all though the house. If I remember they are all blinds. When do blinds EVER fit a new house?

ThePurpleCarrot Wed 19-Jun-13 09:38:55

Reggie - that's what I'm speaking about. They've specified that they are taking these items from the house we are (were?) buying.

Indith Wed 19-Jun-13 09:39:19

Odd but I guess maybe they just want to put them up in their new house. Personally I'd say fine but that you want it in writing that they will make good the areas where it has been taken down.

aftereight Wed 19-Jun-13 09:39:44

Not normal ime. They may be expecting you to pffer to pay for the fitted cupboards, so are doing it to make an extra bit of cash. Call their bluff.

reggiebean Wed 19-Jun-13 09:40:18

It might be worth asking your solicitor to enquire about purchasing the fitted units and blinds as well?

We had the option to include the sofas, a chest of drawers, and the kitchen table in our purchase.

Bunbaker Wed 19-Jun-13 09:40:48

That is really cheapskate of them. Of that list I have only taken some curtains with me. I would never remove curtain poles, light fittings, door bell or built in units. I would walk away.

It isn't just the cost but the hassle of replacing them as well.

reggiebean Wed 19-Jun-13 09:41:10

Yes, sorry, misread your original post.

aftereight Wed 19-Jun-13 09:41:45

Just read your latest posts. I thonk it's pretty normal for a seller to take curtains and lightshades and washing line, but not doorbell!

aftereight Wed 19-Jun-13 09:42:00


yetanotherworry Wed 19-Jun-13 09:43:18

When we bought our last house our sellers tried to take everything including the carpets and kitchen units (they knew the kitchen needed replacing). We phoned the estate agent and told them we weren't happy and were thinking of pulling out. Estate agents went back and told sellers that they weren't being very reasonable and they ended up taking some light fitting, some curtain poles and only 1 carpet.
I think it was more acceptable to take everything about 20 years ago when things were more expensive to buy new.

It is an odd thing to do, but they may be wanting you to offer £££ extra onto the price to keep these "extras" - as you say, they are not likely to be much use to them in their new house.

OnTheNingNangNong Wed 19-Jun-13 09:43:40

If theyre takig the fixed items I woild ask your solicitor to A) reduce the price and B) Make good whrre each fixture has been.

It's bloody bad form IMO.

Justfornowitwilldo Wed 19-Jun-13 09:47:46

Taking curtains and light shades is standard. I would expect that they might take poles. Taking fitted blinds/ is more of a grey area. Taking fitted units from that many rooms is hmm.

They sound like they're starting negotiations.

ThePurpleCarrot Wed 19-Jun-13 09:50:23

I think they are being very stupid and rather greedy. The house was marketed for 490k and we're paying 485k.

miemohrs Wed 19-Jun-13 09:50:43

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

annh Wed 19-Jun-13 09:51:39

Taking fitted units is extreme. The clue is in the word "fitted" - what are they going to do with them in their new home, where they won't fit?! I think they are attempting to get more money from you, hoping that you will make an offer for all this stuff. I would call their bluff and bet they will back down. Taking curtain poles is fairly standard, sometimes people take blinds, maybe the washing line, but the doorbell??? Really?

Mamf74 Wed 19-Jun-13 09:52:10

I would say that had this been their plan from the start then the estate agency should have mentioned this at a viewing (and in the details), and reflected it in the price.

The fact this wasn't done, IMHO, leads me to think the vendors are trying it on.

I would call the agent and express your concerns and offer a reduced price to reflect the need for replacing the fitted furniture.

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