By When it comes to selling your home and moving on, how do you decide what to leave behind?Equally, when you move into a new house, what do you expect the former owners to have left?...
When it comes to selling your home and moving on, how do you decide what to leave behind?
Equally, when you move into a new house, what do you expect the former owners to have left?
Su Snaith, Head of Estate Agency for Harrison Murray, explains: “There's no doubt that the issue of fixtures and fittings can be very contentious, particularly as there is no law that outlines what should be left in or removed from the house once it has been sold. Legally, the seller isn't obliged to leave any fixtures or fittings – and some have been known to unscrew all the light bulbs and even dig up plants from the garden prior to their departure. This may not be illegal, but would probably cause upset to the buyer if they were unaware!
It is really a case of common sense, and we advise sellers to draw up an inventory stating what is included in the price and what they intend to take. Ideally this should be done early on in the sale process. Without an inventory it is assumed that fixtures will be left but fittings removed unless previously included in the agent's details.
Conflict between seller and buyer can be avoided by creating an inventory that states exactly what is included in the sale price and what will be removed.
Top tips to keeping both seller and buyer happy:
-Think about which fixtures and fittings you actually need. There is no point in arguing to keep a particular curtain rail if you are just going to get rid of it later on.
-Ensure you have everything in writing and agreed.
-Be friendly. The other party is much more likely to accommodate your wishes if they like you!
-The general rule of thumb is that a fixture is understood to be any item that is permanently fixed to the structure of the building and a fitting is an item that is free standing or hung by a nail or a hook.
Fixtures:
Light fittings
Central heating boilers / radiators
Kitchen units
Bathroom suites
Plugs
Murals
Built-in wardrobes and cupboards
Fittings:
Carpets
Curtains and curtain rails
Free standing ovens, fridges and washing machines
Lampshades
Bed / sofas and other free standing items of furniture
Television aerials and satellite dishes
Paintings or mirrors that are not bolted but hung or screwed to a wall.
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