People moving into their new dream home are often surprised to find over a quarter of sellers have pulled up their favourite plants before leaving and some have trouble finding their new place as four per cent walk off with the house number, according to new research.

Buyers often find items missing from their new property as 26 per cent of previous owners pilfer the plants, 12 per cent swipe the light fittings and eight per cent lift the light bulbs, discovered the Halifax Estate Agency.

Despite most items that are fixed or attached being considered a fundamental part of the property, for some buyers and sellers it is not always clear what is part of the home or not.

Halifax recommends buyers make full use of the 'Fixtures, Fittings and Contents Form' to properly detail what will be included in the sale and what will not.

"It would be nice to think that everybody would leave their old homes, as they would wish to find their new ones, but unfortunately this is not always the case – despite the fact that people are only saving themselves a relatively small sum by taking items like light bulbs and house number plaques," said Colin Kemp from Halifax.

"The key is to ensure that you have documentation stating precisely what will be left behind or taken. Also know your rights when it comes to what constitutes fixtures and fittings."