Definition of White Goods

ajbohanna

Hi,

I'm an FTB and have just had an offer accepted on a house.

As part of the offer we requested that the White Goods were to be included.

We've now just had an email from the vendor via the EA that they would be taking the cooker and would we like to make an offer for it? (along with some other items).

My interpretation of White Goods would be any major appliance within a Kitchen e.g. Fridge/Freezer, Washing Machine and Cooker. So we expected the cooker to be included in our offer for White Goods.

Should we go back to the EA and dispute this or go through our solicitor? Or are we incorrect about our assumption of what White Goods actually are?

Thanks for any advice

clutton_2

anything is negotiable in buying a house - the vendors want to take the cooker - you need to buy another one

ajbohanna

I understand anything's negotiable, but our offer explicitly said we wanted white goods included and they accepted that offer. They're trying to sell us the cooker seperately.

What I'm asking is, should we have been more clear on the definition of white goods? As we were expecting the cooker to be covered by that definition. My interpretation of white goods would include a cooker.

bryanb

ajbohanna wrote: »

Hi,


As part of the offer we requested that the White Goods were to be included.

The seller said yes, but not including the cooker. Simple.

SuzySu

I would not include a cooker as white goods. I would consider washing machine, fridge, freezer and tumble-dryer as white goods. If you "requested" white goods were included then it's up to the vendor whether they class the cooker as white goods. Maybe you should have been more specific. Don't leave things open to interpretation.

googler

You were too vague, IMHO. You should have specified "to include cooker, washing machine, dishwasher ...." etc etc as appropriate. Specify WHAT you want included as items, rather than generic categories.

I've seen some really specific agents' schedules recently, including this one;

"All light fittings, fitted flooring and blinds are included in the sale, along with the washing machine, fridge/freezer, bathroom shelves, bathroom cabinetry, and the two garden sheds. All curtains, loose rugs or other loose floorcoverings are specifically excluded from the sale. Freestanding plant pots in the garden are also specifically excluded. Items of furniture may be available by separate negotiation. "

Is there any room for doubt here?

Strapped

We had the same thing happen to us when we bought this house (actually, we were specific but the EA passed on our offer as "white goods"). We dug our heels in and got the cooker although it wouldn't have been worth losing the house over. (In this market though, I'd say the sellers would be mad not to throw it in).

hostman

Unless its a fitted cooker / hob, I would be prepared to buy a new one or pay a small amount towards it.

White goods to me are:

Washing machine
Fridge / Freezer
Tumble dryer
Dishwasher

But if any of these have been recently purchased by the seller, again be prepared to pay something towards them. If they are quite old I wouldn't pay anything, as they could break any day.

Our first house included washing machine, fridge / freezer and a very old tumble dryer. We were initially going to pay £500 for the lot, but withdrew the offer for them as they were all quite old. In the end the seller phoned and said she'll leave them anyway, as she had nowhere to store them once she moved out

Once we moved in the old tumble dryer came out and we bought a new condensing one. The washing machine and fridge / freezer worked fine and we included them when we sold this year.

pinkshoes

I've rented a house with "white goods" and it always included the cooker!

Could you not just drop your offer by £500 or something?

vandanfc

How about emailing back and explaining that you believed that the cooker was included in the sale price, but that if this was incorrect, you would give the matter some thought.

laughingcow81

vandanfc wrote: »

How about emailing back and explaining that you believed that the cooker was included in the sale price, but that if this was incorrect, you would give the matter some thought.

I would agree with this; otherwise what you can do is do some research on replacing the cooker yourself, the costs of it and then say to the vendor that you do not want their cooker because you can replace it for a reasonable price.

You never know, they might decide to leave it anyway as it may be more hassle than it's worth to take it with them.