brand new flat not so brand new

Amie_J

I really do think you need to get profesisonal advice with 100% confirmation of where you stand with regards issues such as this, and with your case as a whole. At least then you will know exactly where you stand and can be properly advised of the next steps to take, and the options available to you.

Whilst getting advice from others is all well and good, you really do need to get a professional involved.

I hope things work out ok and you can learn to love your first home together - even if it's not exactly what you thought it was....!!

skintandscared_2

Are any of the rooms carpeted? Are there any furniture marks - eg feet of beds leave marks that don't just disappear when you vacuum or even carpet clean.

SOMEONE must know who lived there! I have a feeling it's going to be some friend of the developer or someone who needed somewhere to stay in-between moves, and there won't be a tenancy agreement or paper trail... I'd be keeping a sharp eye-out on the mailbox to see what other utility bills/final statements arrive....

mcc100

It would be interesting to know whether this is a one off case, or whether it is a widespread practice ....

The reason I ask is because a large developer in my area has continued building despite being unable to sell, and simply rents them out .....

When they are eventually sold, whether it be within weeks, months or years, would they be classified as being new ?

BargainMad_3

It is probably more widespread than we think - particularly in the last few years. Mortgage lenders will still class them as a new build despite who/what has lived there. But buyers obviously aren't getting the brand spanking new property that they expect.


Without detracting from this issue, there are even bigger problems in the newbuild sector particularly where people have bought off plan and find that their "planned flat" is nothing like the one that they bought :eek: and yet are still being held to contract.

kitty_cat_2

When I purchased my house it was 21 months old but had never been lived in. I assume that it was bought as an investment off-plan, however I only paid 1k more than it was initially sold for. As far as I'm aware it wasn't classed as a new build.

To the OP I genuinely feel annoyed on your behalf and hope that you receive some compensation from the builder. Please don't be fobbed off or let this matter drop.

Traceyg

Did you ever get this sorted out? The only reason I ask is that on the next road to ours they have built (or should I say thrown up) 4 brand new 4 bedroom terrace houses. I have been watching the progress of these from my back door and have noticed that the showhome is occupied by someone, it hasn't been sold but someone is living there, I can only assume that they are there as security i.e. to keep an eye on the other houses (work is still ongoing on 3 of them)

Mind you I think it will be quite some time before any are sold as they are asking £170-£175K in an area where the average price for a 3/4 bedroom terrace is £80k!

Wish you all the best and hopefully you got it sorted

tus100

Hi Tracey

It is stil ongoing. they have offfered to put in new appliances but say they told us that the property was part of a rental portfolio which they obviously didn't. So it is still ongoing, about to send my reply to them with the transcript of the conversations that I had with their agent.

Wish the prices you quoted above were the same in my area!!

Lucy_Lastic

Keep us informed OP. This could be one for Watchdog yet!

vickyj

keep us informed :-)
We have bought two new builds. This is because we feel like our home has always een ours. People who have never bought one wont get that but i understand exactly why you feel duped. We are due to move into our home in dec and if i were to go in there and see that it had been lived in i would point blank refuse to enter and camo in the damned show home till they guttel the whole place of any trace of another occupant.
This may sound rediculous to others, heck it even sounds crazy to me when i read it back but thats just how i feel.

I really hope that you get thigs sorted out to your favour. You sound pretty young so i am guessing that this will not e your forever home in which case bank all this experience so you have it for then. Any experience translates into usefull knowlege.
Take care and good luck
Vicky

billybear1

I hope this all works out for you, as someone looking into my first time buy, I would be devastated by this. I hope your fight ends up bearing fruits.