If you’re about to sell your house that has wall-mounted TVs and is confused about whether to take or leave your TV mounts, this guide can help you out.
Even though there is no harm in taking your mount, it could be a good idea to let it stay mounted on your wall.
In this guide, we will discuss some of the pros and cons that could help you make your final decision. So without wasting any further time, let’s get straight into it.
Quick Summary
This guide has everything you need to know about the pros and cons of leaving your TV mount behind when you sell your house.
We have also added a FAQ section to clarify any additional confusion.
Difference Between a Fixture and a Chattel - Everything You Need to Know
Before we begin with the actual part of this guide, the first thing you need to understand is the difference between a fixture and a chattel.
Fixture
A fixture could be anything that is fastened or attached to your house in such a way that it becomes a part of the property as a central air system.
If you sell your house, you can not take anything considered a fixture with you because they are included in your purchase and sale documents.
Chattel
However, a chattel could be any heavy object that was intended to become a part of the property to ultimately benefit.
Chattels are the seller’s property and they can choose to take these items with them.
The Debate Between Buyers and Sellers For Wall-Mounted TVs
There is often a debate between buyers whether a flat-screen TV wall mount is a fixture or not.
This is because some homeowners want to keep their TV mounts instead of selling them with the house whilst other sellers leave them behind.
An example of a fixture would be plug sockets. Curtain poles or physically mounted speakers belong in a separate category.
Avoiding Future Mishaps with A Real Estate Agent
To avoid any future mishaps, we strongly advise you to speak to your real estate agents so that there is no miscommunication once your buyers come to visit your house.
This can be done through explicit instructions and a final walkthrough.
He could help you come to an agreement with your future buyers.
Does The Law Require You To Leave Fixtures Behind?
Source: Reddit
According to the Residential Purchase laws, during a typical home sale, a fixture is something that cannot be removed from the property without causing damages to the building.
If you take that definition into consideration, then the seller should not be able to move out with their mounting brackets. It depends on whether the TV mount is considered a fixture.
However, if you consider the actual wall mount as a permanently added improvement, you would have the argument that the mount is a part of the TV.
You also need to ensure that removing it will not cause damages to the house. In this case, you are not obligated by the law to leave the TV wall mount behind.
Should You Leave TV Mounts When You Leave a House? - In-Depth Comparison with Pros & Cons
We understand that it can be quite confusing to choose between the two options when it comes for you to leaving stuff behind. However, we have created this pros and cons section to help you out.
Pros of Taking Your Mount When You Sell Your House
One obvious benefit is that you won’t have to purchase a new wall mount for your TV.
It’s The Perfect Match For Your TV
Moreover, it could be difficult to find the right match for your TV from the market. So, taking your Mount will save you from the hassle.
You Could Sell It Later On
In case you plan to buy a new TV that comes with a wall mount, you could sell your old one for some extra bucks.
Cons of Removing Your Mount When You Sell Your House
Removing the wall mount could cause damage to the wall, this could reduce the price of the house. This raises the question of whether the wall brackets stay or not.
You Might Have To Pay For Damages To The Wall
Moreover, if you have a damaged wall, buyers could potentially ask you for an additional sum to repair specific items like the wall.
What To Consider When Leaving Your Wall Mounts?
Source: Reddit
If you have decided that you will not be taking the mounts with you on the move, it is your legal obligation that the house is presented in the same condition it was in when the agreement of sale was signed. This is a legally binding document.
Additionally, after the first home inspection was made by the real estate agent or the seller’s agent, you cannot change how the house looks in any way.
Although most of the time, such items do not convey with the house, if the parties involved such as potential buyers have decided to make it so, then the conditions and terms must be written in the agreement.
What If You Want To Take The Mounts With You?
Similarly, if you have decided to take the mounts and wall-mounted TVs with you, make sure that the removal of mounts does not leave a hole in the walls of the house.
If there have been such damages to the house, it falls upon the person leaving the house to have these damages fixed.
Can I Remove My Wall Mount If I Want to Sell My House - Quick Discussion
Some people may argue that TV wall mounts stay with the house as they are fixtures that are part of the home.
So the mounts are included in the cost of the house you want to sell, which is why you might not have a choice in this case.
However, we understand that flat TV mounts are not a small investment. In this case, we advise you to speak to your agent first so there isn’t any misunderstanding later.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To help clarify any additional confusion you might have, we have included this detailed FAQ section for your assistance.
Without further ado, let’s dive right into it.
Are TV wall mounts considered to be personal property?
Usually, TV mounts are not considered personal property. They normally fall under fixtures, which means you will have to leave them behind if you sell your house.
However, you could speak to your agent to discuss the terms of your agreement and change them accordingly.
Are wall brackets considered as fixtures?
Normally, wall mounts are deemed as fixtures. However, some solicitors allow you to keep them if your buyer agrees.
Do I have to leave my mounted TV if I sell my house?
No, TVs are considered personal properties, you can easily remove them from the mount and take them with you.
However, there is a bit of a debate when it comes to mounts. It’s always a better idea to speak to your agent to avoid any confusion.
Can I remove my curtain rods when I sell my house?
If you can remove your curtain poles without damaging the house, you could be able to take them with you. This also applies to window treatments, custom blinds, or spare window screens.
However, if they are permanently attached, they will be considered fixtures. In this case, you might not be allowed to remove them.
Can I reuse my wall mounts?
If you’re shifting, you can use your old wall mount if it’s still compatible with your TV. In fact, this could be a good idea if you don’t want to make the effort to purchase a new one.
Do You Leave TV Mounts When You Sell a House? - Conclusion
Now that we have reached the end of this article, we hope it is easier for you to understand whether or not you should leave your TV mount.
We understand, leaving behind your expensive possessions like mounting brackets might not be easy. Unfortunately, in some cases, you might not have an option to choose.
Read this guide to understand what you can do and if you should leave your TV mounts when you sell your house.
In case you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to us.
Adam F.
A/V and Home Theater Expert that focuses on providing clear as well as concise reviews for anything and everything Audio Visual. From TV's, TV Mounts, Soundbars, and Wiring, my focus is to provide expertise in everything Audio Visual focused.
