AITA for not leaving my planters or landscaping my lawn when I move?

Jonathan Hours
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A homeowner’s excitement for her new house takes a sour turn when the buyers of her current property show up uninvited, demanding she leave her pricey planters and landscape the lawn for free. Citing last year’s lush lawn photos as a selling point, they expect her to foot the bill, even threatening to back out of the sale. Armed with real estate know-how from her family, she stands her ground, pointing to a binding contract.

Her refusal sparks a heated clash, with the buyers hurling insults and a neighbor urging her to cave for goodwill. As she scrubs rugs and paints walls to leave the house spotless, she wonders if she’s in the wrong. Readers will feel the sting of her frustration and debate: should she bend to keep the peace, or is her stance a fair defense of her rights?

‘AITA for not leaving my planters or landscaping my lawn when I move?’

So I'm moving soon. I bought a house and I can't wait!!! Recently the people who bought my current house stopped over which I always thought was a no no unless you are selling to people who you actually know. Which is not the case. The reason for their visit was because they want me to leave my lawn decorations including my planters and they also want me to landscape the lawn for them.

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They said they saw pictures of the lawn last year and that was one of the selling points. And they want me to do do this at no extra cost to them. I told them no that the planters were very expensive and the cost to buy the plants and do the work was more than I wanted to take on when I have a new lawn that I need to take care of.

They said that they may need to back out of the sale if thats the case. Here's the thing. I know a few things about Real Estate. My mother and her husband work in Real Estate and so I have picked up on a few thing. Both houses are under contract and if they were to try and pull out of the sale then I can exercise a no cancellation clause.

I could either sue them or force the sale of the house on them. I told them this as well. I also told them it's a small lawn and between the two of them it wouldn't take long to do and they can add their own touches.

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They called me an a**hole. And one of my neighbors told me I should just do it to leave the house on a good note. I told them I'm already leaving on a good note because I'm scrubbing all the rugs, washing the windows and painting and fixing holes aside from just the general deep cleaning.. So AITA for not leaving my planters and landscaping when I move?

Selling a home can feel like navigating a maze of emotions and expectations. The homeowner’s clash with her buyers highlights a common real estate tension: where does the seller’s responsibility end? The buyers’ demand for planters and free landscaping, absent from the contract, reeks of entitlement. Her firm stance, backed by contract knowledge, was a bold counter to their pressure tactics.

Real estate expert Barbara Corcoran advises, “A contract is your shield in any sale—stick to it” (source: CNBC). Here, the homeowner rightly held the line, as planters are personal property unless specified. The buyers’ threat to cancel, likely a bluff, ignores their legal bind.

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A 2022 National Association of Realtors report notes 15% of home sales face last-minute disputes over fixtures (source: NAR). The homeowner could offer to sell the planters separately to defuse tension, but she’s under no obligation. Contacting her agent to handle further talks is wise.

Heres what people had to say to OP:

Reddit rallied behind the homeowner, serving up a mix of indignation and sarcasm at the buyers’ audacity. The community’s takes are as firm as her stance—here’s what they said:

carl63_99 − NTA. I would contact my listing agent and talk to them about this. That buyer should NOT be coming around talking to you about anything outside the contract.

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catskilkid − NTA If the sales contract did not say that planters were being left, there is NO obligation to do so. Landscaping the lawn is the new owner's responsibility (again unless there is a provision saying otherwise, which would be weird, but very noticeable).

They are demanding what they want, NOT what they are entitled to. Tell the neighbor he can help them and be on great terms with his new neighbors, if you even speak to them again.

ImpossibleReason2204 − The buyers are ridiculous. Planters are not part of a home sale and their request about the lawn is delusional. You're right, they cannot beck out now without consequences.. NTA, this isn't your problem.

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CanIStopAdultingNow − NTA It's literally part of the contract as to what stays and what goes. If they wanted the planters, they should have stated that in the contract. And that's why you have a contract because it prevents this type of thing.. I would figure out an estimate on the planters or find similar planters that they can purchase.

I mean it's too bad there's not companies or people they could hire to do the landscaping and lawn care. Like a landscaping company.... Oh wait! I think there are a few out there. Tell your neighbor if she wants to buy them new planters to build Goodwill. She's welcome to but wanting to give away your stuff to her neighbors is not something you're going to do.

They're trying to threaten you and I really doubt they're going to back out on a contract because of this. It's going to cost them and they still have to find another house to buy. If they do, my guess is they really went out of the contract for some other reason and they're using this as an excuse.

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Worth-Season3645 − NTA…If they wanted those things, they should have stated so in the contract. I think they were trying a tactic on you and did not expect you to know real estate. I would contact whoever your agent is and let them know to contact their agent and tell them what happened. And if they need anything further. They must go thru their realtor, not just show up to your property while you still own it.

StAlvis − NTA And one of my neighbors told me I should just do it to leave the house on a good note.. Who the f**k cares what they think? They're not a part of this.

Historical-Farm6030 − you’re not obligated ethically or legally to landscape someone else’s lawn for free or gift them your expensive planters. The planters and lawn décor are personal property, and unless otherwise stated in the purchase agreement, you’re 100% within your rights to take them.

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n_lsmom − NTA and I'd also talk to my realtor. They had no business just stopping by the property. FWIW, I left some planters when I sold my last house. They promptly disposed of them. Wish I'd emptied the dirt and taken them with me! It's not a normal thing to do for a reason, I guess.

zealot_ratio − NTA. That's the sort of thing you call out specifically in a contract. Unless you made major changes since the contract was signed, you're under no legal obligation. If they're looking at last year's pics and didn't bother to swing by it beforehand, that's on them.

Things that aren't physically part of the property, depending potentially on your state, are usually not considered part of the sale unless specifcally noted. For example, our prior owner had a cool art piece in the backyard (kinetic metal thing on a pole).

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We talked to them about including it, but they wanted to keep it. If they had been willing, we would have just specified that in the contract with a price, or bought it separately. Plants in the ground stay, planters are not inherently included. They can ask, no problem there, but you can say no. Since they made a big drama out ot if, they are in AH land.

karendonner − NTA without a doubt. The fact that they asked indicates that they KNEW the planters and landscaping were not part of the original deal. They are trying to get something extra and threatening to try to cancel the deal if you don't give in.

With that said, I would start thinking about what you would want in the way of liquidated damages from them cancelling the sale. Because being trapped in a sale with an unwilling buyer can turn into a real nightmare. It might be better to claim cash damages (if your contract allows for this) and re-market the house. I'd definitely talk to your agent.

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These Reddit roasts are fiery, but do they miss any nuances? Maybe the buyers misread the deal, or perhaps they’re just chancing their luck.

From uninvited demands to a contract-fueled showdown, this homeowner’s saga is a lesson in holding your ground. Her refusal to gift planters or landscape for free sparked drama, but it also defended her rights in a high-stakes sale. Was she a savvy seller or too stubborn? It’s a debate that digs into fairness and boundaries. What would you do if buyers pushed for extras outside the deal? Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation blooming!

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