A couple preparing to close on a new home in just a few days found themselves caught in an unexpected dispute with the sellers—over a koi pond. The sellers informed the buyers that their fish couldn't be moved during the winter and that they planned to retrieve them once the weather warmed up. 

However, at the last minute, they introduced a shocking addendum: if any fish became ill or died, the buyers would be financially responsible, with a minimum charge of $1,000 per fish and no cap on damages.

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Unexpected Last-Minute Demand

Reddit user who shared the story on the r/RealEstate subreddit described the situation as the "craziest thing we've had come up on a deal." The sellers also specified that the pond's pump must remain running, that the fish be protected from predators, and that no chemicals or additives be used in the water. The buyers, who are experienced real estate agents representing themselves, were left in disbelief.

“How can we control if the fish died because of age or illness?!” they wrote.

Buyers Say ‘Absolutely Not'

The overwhelming response from Redditors was to reject the addendum outright. Many pointed out that once the home is sold, anything left behind becomes the new owners' property, including the fish. Others suggested that the sellers should be paying rent for pond usage, covering the electricity costs, and assuming all liability for their koi.

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One commenter sarcastically proposed, "You could offer to koi sit for $1,000 a week, but ‘no' is the better option." Another added, "They're tenants, basically. Tell the sellers to remove them, pay monthly ‘rent,' or the deal is off. Full stop."

Are The Sellers Just Unprepared?

Some koi enthusiasts in the thread pointed out that koi can, in fact, be moved in the winter, contradicting the sellers' claim that relocation was impossible.

"Koi aren't those types of fish. Their specialist is lying to you," one user wrote. "They just don't have anywhere for them to go yet since they're constructing the new pond." Others suggested temporary holding tanks or transferring the fish to a professional koi care facility until the sellers’ new pond is ready.

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The buyers also began to suspect financial motives behind the demand. "My husband said this is borderline extortion," the OP revealed. "We are already privy to information that they have just enough money at close to clear their loan on the new home. My suspicion is they don't have money to dig the pond and yeah, maybe trying to find a way to get money out of us."

Legal and Liability Risks

Beyond the financial absurdity, many pointed out the legal risks of allowing the sellers continued access to the property post-sale. One user warned, "They'll hire a cheap specialist from Craigslist and sue you when he doesn't show up and says you didn't let him on the property. Draft your own addendum that you are in no way responsible for the fish."

Another concern was liability if the specialist or sellers were injured on the property while tending to the fish. The buyers have since decided to draft a hold-harmless agreement and are requiring proof of insurance before anyone steps foot on their new property.

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Fish Must Go

Initially, the buyers had been gracious about allowing the fish to remain temporarily, but after the sellers' unreasonable demands, their stance has changed. "We were doing them a favor in being gracious by allowing their pets to remain on the property," the OP stated. "This is such an egregious thing to say that we could be on the hook for an undetermined amount of money."

The couple has now set a firm deadline for fish removal and refuses to take on any responsibility. While they wait for closing day, they, along with thousands of Reddit users, are left wondering: What were these sellers thinking?

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