The famous textile designer William Morris (1834 – 1896) once wrote:
Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.
Furniture is a big part of what makes a house a home. But sometimes, as a seller, you no longer need or want it.
In these cases, selling your house with furniture can be a challenge or an opportunity…
Below, we’ve outlined how you best navigate this scenario.
What is a Fixtures and Fittings (TA10) Form?
When a house sale is completed, you (as the seller) should give the buyer should receive a ‘Fixtures and Fittings’ (TA10) form.
This outlines what is and is not included in the sale and is often used in price negotiations.
Solicitors often help put together the TA10 form, which should outline whether the sale of your house includes:
- Curtains
- Armchairs
- Wardrobes
- Kitchen appliances
- Rugs
- Lightbulbs
What are the most common types of furniture to sell with a house?
Some of the most common types of furniture to sell with a house:
- Wardrobes
- Sofas
- Kitchen appliances
Why leave furniture in a house you’re selling?
You may prefer to leave all the furniture in a property you’re selling for several reasons.
1. Saves on removal fees
Moving furniture to a new house typically requires paying a removal company. This can cost several hundreds (or thousands) of pounds.
It is especially difficult to arrange if you are planning on selling your house quickly because local moving companies may not be available on short notice.
2. Saves on storage fees
If you don’t have a permanent residence lined up, you may need to pay for storage for your furniture.
This typically costs between £100 – £300 a month (not including transport and unloading).
3. Saves on time and energy
There are different estimates for how long it takes to sell a house in the UK on average.
And in many cases, sellers don’t understand exactly how quickly it is possible to sell (with alternative channels, in particular).
Either way, organising what to do with furniture and enacting that plan takes away time and energy that could be better spent elsewhere.
4. Sellers no longer need – or want – furniture
Sometimes, you don’t need or want to take your furniture.
You may be downsizing or moving into a furnished home. Or perhaps you have decided to replace all of your furniture because you simply no longer like it.
Who benefits from selling a house without furniture?
Whether you or the buyer is the beneficiary of furniture included in a house sale depends on each case.
Not removing or storing furniture saves on the costs and time involved in organising its removal. It can also increase your house’s sale price.
Buyers who need new furniture can also save on costs and time.
So, in some circumstances, both parties equally benefit from this exchange.
Do buyers prefer to buy a house with furniture?
Buyers moving from a furnished rented property may want furniture included in a house sale. But someone already on the property ladder is less likely to.
In many cases, the latter category of buyer may consider furniture a nuisance, especially if they are being asked to pay more for it.
The condition of your furniture also makes a big difference.
If it matches the décor of the flat and is in excellent shape, buyers may be grateful. And if it is worn down and difficult to remove, they may not be…
Can I charge more for a house with furniture?
Leaving your furniture in the property means it could be valued higher than other properties on the market.
However, this only applies if the furniture is in good condition and therefore seen as an ‘asset’ by a new buyer because it is needed.
On the other hand, buyers may specifically request that the house be sold without furniture, especially if it is unattractive or they simply don’t need or want it.
If your furniture is problematic for the buyer, it may even cause them to reduce their offer.
Can a buyer ask me to remove the furniture before selling it?
Yes. The contract between the buyer and seller will outline the terms of the property sale. These terms include whether furniture should be included.
If buyers do not want furniture in the house, they can request this. It is then the seller’s responsibility to oblige.
How to sell a house full of furniture fast
If you cannot find a buyer on the open market who wants to purchase your house with furniture, you can consider alternative property-selling options.
These include selling your house at auction, selling it privately (to a friend or family member), or using a cash house buyer.
Auctions and cash house buyers usually have experience buying inherited probate properties, for example, which have often accumulated furniture items over years or even decades.
However, the time, manpower and costs associated with removing (or selling) this furniture will result in a lower offer.
How much does it cost to remove furniture?
Removal companies, furniture disposal providers, and even a ‘man with a van’ will typically give you a price quotation for removing furniture from a house.
The following points will all impact the price:
- The number of items involved
- The complexity or difficulty of removing them
- Your distance from the nearest dumping location
You should contact several independent companies and professionals for price quotations.
Some will charge a set fee per item, while others will charge an hourly rate for the total time it takes to remove everything.
What happens if I can’t get furniture out of the house?
If you cannot remove furniture from your house, then all is not lost.
Some professionals provide this service. They dismantle furniture or be creative with their moving methods (e.g. fitting it through tight spaces).
You should find professionals in your area who provide this service and get a price quotation.
What are the ways I can sell my furniture?
There are lots of platforms that enable you to sell your furniture.
Some of the most well-known websites are:
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay
- Vinted
- Etsy
You can take photos of your furniture, add a description, and then set the price you’re looking for.
(You may need to negotiate with the buyer about whether they will travel to you to pick up the furniture or whether you will deliver it to them.)
How quickly can I sell my house with furniture?
You can sell your property fast with furniture within 7 days by going straight to a reliable cash buyer, such as We Buy Any Home.
We have all the funds required to purchase your property and the furniture inside it.
Fill in a form below to find out more.
