New Build Completion date Moved.

Ash007

Hello all,

looking for some advice from anyone that can help.

We have just bought a new build with kingsoak and were originally told that it would be ready by end of may start of june. Couple of weeks ago the site office people rang me and told me that it would now be ready for end of july/mid august.

Would anyone recommend or has anyone who has bought a new build manage to complain or get any compensation because of a late completion?

I am currently renting and have handed in my notice for end of july cannot get an extension nor can i move in with anybody else.

Many thanks for any help and information.

Thanks

pusscat

You will find that this is normal for all housebuilders - the build is dependant upon the weather and all sorts of other factors, usually their contract will fully cover them for any change of date to the completion. It is usually in the builders interest to get you completed as soon as possible so that they have the money.

Not a leg to stand on in my opinion - unless you had the date fully agreed in writing rather than an estimate from site.

I think if you do complain you will just be referred back to your contract - have you checked it?

Puss

xx

JaneyBoy

Hi there Ash,

I understand what you're going through. Me and my boyfriend reserved a house last May and we were told it would be ready December/January. We're due to complete either Friday or Monday so it's been a whole year since we even reserved the house!

We asked for compensation and we were basically told that we didn't have a leg to stand on, even though it cost us an extra 6 months in rent that we hadn't banked on paying.

Developers of new builds aren't legally obliged to complete on the date they tell you as this is just an estimate, also if you buy your new build before it's even been built (as we did) you can anticipate that the date the builders tell you will be highly optimistic. They want the sale remember and will tell you anything to get you to sign!

You could try contacting the builders head office and highlighting your case, especially since you have problems with a job and accomation but don't surprised if you don't get anywhere and keep in mind that any compensation is likely to come in the form of extras on the property rather than any cash.

Sorry to be so bleak, but our house was 5 months later than the builders originally said and this wasn't due to delayed building work but blatent lies from the sales team. We still got nothing and were simply told "This is how it works with new builds".

I still think you should have a go but don't be surprised if the answer isn't something you want to hear. There is nothing you can do legally so any compensation given to you will be a good will gesture not an obligation.

Good luck!!

Doozergirl

Your developers will cover their backsides very well for this eventuality as it happens often. The contract will be watertight.

You can try but anything you get will be goodwill from them. I'd certainly try for some more extras included with the property.

You'd better find somewhere to stay!

pinkshoes

ours was supposed to be ready end of Jan, although we didn't get the keys til end of March, and that was after ALOT of pestering!!

The builders/EA usually cover their backs by saying "PREDICTED" completion... meaning give (or take) a few months or more... If you check all the documents you'll find all the dates are probably vague ones, with nothing permanent implied.

Lil_Dee_2

Ash007 wrote: »

Would anyone recommend or has anyone who has bought a new build manage to complain or get any compensation because of a late completion?

Ash - what an awful position to find yourself in !!! :eek: I was in a similar position, but had somewhere to go. In my case they were six months late :mad: on their original completion date. That was bad enough on my nerves !

I wanted to say that although 'compensation' probably isn't on the cards, there is still a chance. In my case I pressed for some kind of monetary recompense from the builder, due to the stress and resulting additional costs to us. As mentioned above, they offered it 'as a goodwill gesture', rather than compensation (I don't think they like using that word, as it seems to imply they may have been at fault) a reduction of £500 on the house price. Not much when pitched against what we were spending, but it was better than nothing (though not by much, tbh)

I hope things get back on track for you as quickly as possible. Best of luck.

Ash007

Hi all,

thanks for the comments and info, i know we wont get anywhere, but i wanted to try as this has put us in a situation, we have used their solicitors and their mortgage brokers,which was part of an incentive pack, so that they have full control over all houses on the development.

I have obtained the name and number for the sales director, i will be calling/e-mailing them about this issue.

we will see where we get.

Thanks for replies.
Ash

Richard_Webster

we have used their solicitors and their mortgage brokers,which was part of an incentive pack...

Did the solrs explain properly to you that the date was not fixed by the contract? It is quite an important point for them to emphasise because people are forever misunderstanding it. If not then you may have a complaint against them. I assume you have exchanged contracts.

This is the standard paragraph I put in my pre-contract reports on new build:

· Completion is ## working days after the builder gives notice that the house is ready rather than any specific date unless the builder can be persuaded to guarantee a specific date. It is very important that you appreciate that this date is not fixed. You should not make plans based upon a definite moving date unless we specifically confirm that the date IS fixed.

The bold is bold in my pre-contract report!

As a conveyancing solicitor I believe the information given in the post to be useful but I accept no liability except to fee-paying clients.