Apartment details changed

pinkshoes

adriandilly wrote: »

Have just been in to the sales centre and having talked to her director earlier this afternoon, she said there is nothing they can do for us other than move us to either of the last two flats with garages.
We now have the choice whether to stay put or move down. She understands our frustration and was shocked herself to see garages when she got in this morning. Apparently 6 out of the 9 in our block have now sold, and all those people would be in the same dilemma (assuming they've noticed!).
The only reason I can see now why those last two have garages is because they are the nearest to them and as youve said before, electricity could be taken from them. I still dont understand why they couldnt have told us in the first place, but there you go... Interestingly Ive been told that they are not having trouble selling them and that it is not a reason why the last two have garages........ hmmmmmm?

What were the T&Cs on your £1000 deposit? Does it have a date that you HAVE to exchange by?

Your property has now been devalued given that the other 2 have a garage and parking space, and yours only has a parking space. This was the developer's decision, and on this basis, you should ask for a garage or a £10k reduction.

adriandilly

Hello again, Now we have been settled in around a month I've had the chance to think over the garage situation again. Having seen the young lady across the hall use a garage and the guy downstairs use another one, I decided to go over to the sales centre again and have a word. Theres a new lady there now and after explaining the situation to her she pointed out that the garage arrangements were on the master plan on the wall and had been since the start and there was nothing I could do.
But I then showed her the original price list we were given (No garages listed), and she could see that something was wrong. Shes going to raise it with the manager later on and get back to me.
Having been through this before with no luck, does anyone think we now have a chance?

QTPie

adriandilly wrote: »

Hello again, Now we have been settled in around a month I've had the chance to think over the garage situation again. Having seen the young lady across the hall use a garage and the guy downstairs use another one, I decided to go over to the sales centre again and have a word. Theres a new lady there now and after explaining the situation to her she pointed out that the garage arrangements were on the master plan on the wall and had been since the start and there was nothing I could do.
But I then showed her the original price list we were given (No garages listed), and she could see that something was wrong. Shes going to raise it with the manager later on and get back to me.
Having been through this before with no luck, does anyone think we now have a chance?

Hi

You have completed on buying the apartment now?

If so, are you looking for them to give you a garage or to buy one?

If you have completed on buying, I would eat my own hat if they give you one now. They may be willing to sell you one though... (ok extra money, but could be well spent - a garage is VERY useful and would increase the value/sale-ability of your apartment)

QT

adriandilly

Yes we completed on 30 April.
Ive only thought about this again now because Ive seen neighbours use them. I know that you have to pay charges monthly for a garage so it's not like they'd be giving it away.
I think I'm running out of time though because the only flat with a garage that hasnt been sold is a show flat

cattie

The garages will be included in the leases of the other properties, so you haven't a leg to stand on in trying to get one.

There's nothing wrong, as you mention the new salesperson said there is when you spoke to her. Some flats have been sold with leases that include a garage, some don't have a garage.

Seller's have every right to add any incentives they wish to & there is no obligation for them to inform any other owner's/prospective owners that an additional incentive/feature has now been added to other properties up for sale.

They gave you the opportunity before completion that you switch your deposit to one of the properties now with a garage included in the lease & you chose not to take the offer & stick to the original flat you'd chosen.

Just try to settle down in your new flat & not let the subject of a garage that was never to be eat away at you.

QTPie

adriandilly wrote: »

Yes we completed on 30 April.
Ive only thought about this again now because Ive seen neighbours use them. I know that you have to pay charges monthly for a garage so it's not like they'd be giving it away.
I think I'm running out of time though because the only flat with a garage that hasnt been sold is a show flat

Errr... you want them to swap you to another flat AFTER completion? Or just give you the garage from that other flat (in which case making that other flat less desirable to sell)?

I honestly can't see why they would...

The garages are long leasehold, right? (and not rented). The owners with a garage would pay a minimal additional "ground rent" and maybe some extra insurance charges, but not a lot a year.

Yes, if they "gave you one" they would be giving it away. In which case (post completion) they would be insane... They might offer to sell you (or be receptive to you offering to buy) one, but that is it.

QT

adriandilly

I understand what youre saying, and I thank you both for your help

The garage arrangements havent changed since the start and I suppose it was our fault for not checking the master plan.

Why should we have checked that if we were being told verbally there were none for our block!

Fire_Fox

adriandilly wrote: »

There is no lift and we are in Norfolk. Ground rent is 250.courtyard service is 151, admin charges are 22, Buildings insurance,maintenance,electrical maintenance, cleaning, repairs, etc. is the other 586. Thanks

You should be aware that the service charges usually increase substantially in the first five years - often double. How much is reasonable really depends exactly on the size of the property, what level of service you are receiving and what facilities need care and attention. If you have car parks and gardens to maintain in addition to the building itself this puts the price up.

Do you know what other comparable properties in the area pay? You should be sent a breakdown of the charges on an annual basis, and you have the right to inspect any socumentation - cleaners contract, caretakers invoices etc.
http://www.lease-advice.org/publications/documents/document.asp?item=14

One of the best things you can do is to read up on the law (see above) and start up a residents association, as you can then check up on and possibly challenge the charges as a group. Any problems - e.g. cleaners not cleaning regularly - must be reported to the managing agents in writing so you have a paper trail.

AMILLIONDOLLARS

I think you have missed your opportunity, you should have bargained more strongly before completion. At this point they won't care, they've got you money!

AMD

QTPie

adriandilly wrote: »

I understand what youre saying, and I thank you both for your help

The garage arrangements havent changed since the start and I suppose it was our fault for not checking the master plan.

Why should we have checked that if we were being told verbally there were none for our block!

Like all sales people - never trust what they tell you? (sad, but true). Check, check and check again. If a garage was an issue, then you needed to bring it up (or threaten to go elsewhere) at the start of negotiations and certainly before exchange (when you still had some leverage).

Now you have no leverage what-so-ever, unless maybe you take legal action against them... but I think that would be useless: it will come down to their word against yours and probably a tickbox and signature somewhere where you have agreed that you have "seen the master plan". I doubt you have a case.

Practically you have two options now (I believe):
- Try to negotiate to buy one of the garages (might be possible).
- Or, as cattie says, let go and forget about it.

Sorry
QT