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 in situ for you?
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.
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
– Beds/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.
Top Tips to keep both seller and buyer happy:
1. 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.
2. Ensure you have everything in writing and agreed.
3. Be friendly. The other party is much more likely to accommodate your wishes if they like you
The first ever electronic e-signature exchange of contracts for a residential property transaction in the UK has been completed this month, it has been revealed.
The exchange happened on Thursday April 6 at 15.59pm with the conveyancers and their clients at the offices of Convey Law using the Bonafidee e-signature facility to sign the contract for both the sale and purchase element of the transaction.
The system allows both lawyers to upload the agreed contract, which is then sent to the seller and the purchaser clients for them to sign electronically. The system provides confirmation that the document has been read and signed with a code taking the place of a signature.
Armed with both parts of the contract, and having acted on both sides of the transaction, Convey Law’s conveyancers exchanged contracts under normal Law Society rules.
“Agreeing contract terms is often undertaken over the telephone by conveyancers and, in many circumstances, the document that you receive from the conveyancer on the other side of a transaction can look very different from the contract that you have sent out” says Convey Law legal director Gareth Richards. But he says the system used in this first transaction allows for an agreed form of contract to be uploaded and then sent to the clients for them to sign.
“The e-signature requires confirmation that the client is who they say they are and hence proof of identity verification is always important as a prefix to this procedure.
This is definitely a significant step in the right direction in relation to e-conveyancing and we are delighted to have been a part” he says.
Technological advancements have quickly improved countless aspects of the daily lives of millions of people. These breakthroughs have helped every industry- with estate agency being no exception. It started with the use of websites to search for properties, and the next step appears to be the use of the latest camera technology.
The camera model comes from an American company and it has already been making waves across the Atlantic. The Matterport camera produces three-dimensional, photographic images which allow users to explore a property, going from room to room, using a mouse, keyboard or, on smartphones or tablets, a finger. Think of it like Google Street View but for the inside of property!
Check out this lovely property in Liverton.. without getting off the sofa!
Users can even have a Virtual Reality experience- as the technology supports the latest headsets and goggles. This takes the experience to the next level and creates the illusion that you are actually inside the home!
Regardless of what screen they are looking at, viewers are free to move at their own pace, follow their own route and look wherever they want.
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Chamberlains is an early adopter of this new technology and we are excited about the benefits it will bring to our customers.
We love the technology so much that we are giving away tours! If you ask us to market your home with Chamberlains we’ll produce a Virtual Walk Through of your home. Be one of the first! Call now quoting WTT when you book your appointment on 01626 365055. Hurry as this offer is only for a limited time!!
Newton Abbot: 01626 365055
Teignmouth: 01626 815815
Bovey Tracey: 01626 818094
Lettings Department: 01626 365055
Block Management: 01626 298980
Foundations Residential Ltd t/a Chamberlains Registered in England & Wales No. 06344746
Chamberlains Rentals Ltd Registered in England & Wales No 07821976
Fine Home Sales Ltd t/a Chamberlains and Fine & Country Registered in England & Wales No 06699427
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