At McDougall McQueen we act for sellers every day and we are often asked about selling etiquette and what should be left behind in the property for the new owners.
In short, it will depend on the contract and what has been agreed, but generally fixtures and fittings are all included in the sale. This is anything attached or fitted to a wall and includes:
- Kitchen units and worktops
- Bathroom units and bathroom suite
- Boiler and radiators
- Carpets
- Light fittings
- Curtain rails or poles
- Built-in bedroom wardrobes
- Electrical sockets
- Security alarms
- Fireplace
Sometimes items such as curtains, blinds, and shelves may also be included in the sale, and it can often be more hassle than it is worth to remove them. Freestanding ovens, fridges, freezers and washing machines are usually negotiated separately if the buyer is interested in keeping these and can be included in the agreed sale price of the property.
If something has then been removed from the property without the buyer’s consent, then they may take action against the seller. Therefore when buying or selling a house it can be useful to have an inventory for each room and discuss which fixtures and fittings will be included in the sale at the outset.