Fitting fixtures and fixing fittings on the Contents form

Moving house can be as exciting as much as it is stressful. 

Because of the complexities that you have to deal with when purchasing and selling a home - finances, the legal niceties, the practical things such as stopping the utilities at the old place and setting up new ones before moving in, organising removals and associated insurance… and the list goes on.

So it can be quite overwhelming when you receive all the forms that need to be filled in, read, signed, approved, sent back, revisited, and even argued.

One of the simplest is the form detailing the fixtures and fittings - or the Fittings and Contents Form (TA10) to give it its formal name.

The form, as its name suggests, is simply a list of all the things that are going to remain in place or left behind by the seller upon completion of the contract on the building.

It is a legally binding document forming part of the contract between seller and buyer, and it is the responsibility of the seller to ensure the details provided are completely accurate.

The Law Society has established the forms for the conveyancing of the transfer of ownership. Your solicitor will provide you with all the details and any advice if you are unsure at any point about what to fill in and how. 

If the seller offers anything for sale and you, as the buyer agrees, this must be highlighted to your conveyancer as this forms part of the sale process.

The Fittings and Contents Form, with provision to state if they are included, excluded or none exists, is segmented into 11 sections as follows:

1. Basic fittings - in this section, the common points are highlighted, including any boiler(s), radiator(s) and heater(s), gas and electric fire(s) (as fixed to a wall or other permanent structure), insulation, light switches, window and door furniture, electric sockets, alarm systems and doorbell. 
2. Kitchen - this refers to any white goods or other kitchen or utility appliances that are remaining or not, including washing and dishwashing machines, cookers and hoods, fridges and freezers, microwave ovens and tumble-dryers.
3. Bathroom - included here are the bath, showers, toilets, basins, taps, towel rails, shower fittings, mirrors, bathroom item holders (toilet roll, toothbrush, etc.).
4. Carpets - this section highlights all the carpets and in which room they are laid and confirming whether they are remaining or being removed.
5. Curtains and curtain rails - this section is quite clear and highlights which curtains, blinds, rails, pelmets, and poles are going to be left with the property.
6. Light fittings - another straightforward item that covers the fitted lighting equipment attached to ceilings and walls (or even floors in some instances) - note that it is assumed that any fixture removed will be replaced by the buyer with something that will guarantee electrical safety.
7. Fitted units - what in each room is remaining, such as fitted cupboards, shelves, wardrobes, kitchen units, etc.
8. Outdoor area - this gives the seller the opportunity to list any plants, sheds, furniture, dustbins, barbecue equipment, water butts, outside lighting, washing lines or heaters.
9. Television and telephone - any receivers, including aerials and dishes.
10. Stock of fuel - this is important for oil-fired central heating, wood burners or Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) heaters to confirm the quantities of each type of fuel that will be left behind.
11. Other items - this a catch-all to pick up anything that isn't explicitly covered in any of the other sections.

Each section of the form allows for a price to be input, which then becomes part of the negotiation for the sale and its value. Equally, there may be something that the buyer doesn't want and might be costly to remove or take apart. Again, the statement on this form allows questions to be raised and compromises to be reached via your solicitors.

Worried about how much time and effort all of this legal process will take?

That's where Homeward Legal can really help with affordable but quality conveyancing services! They will start work on your planned purchase and/or sale as soon as you agree to the quotation and appoint them to represent you. 

Homeward Legal will also provide a quote that will not change - what you are quoted is what you pay for standard conveyancing process.

There are some unforeseen items that might arise during the purchase and/or sale, but the solicitor discusses these and their cost as they come up. 

In addition, to protect the homebuyer further, Homeward Legal operates a ‘no completion, no fee' promise, which ensures that, should the purchase or sale not go through as planned to completion status, no payment is required.

Call  to get your conveyancing quote started, or to discuss your concerns with your plans to move.

Or you can get a quick quote, using Homeward Legal's easy-to-use quote generator.