Buying 5-year new build no NHBC cert

crocco

After having an offer to buy a 130-year leasehold accepted on a flat that was initially thought to be a converted industrial estate unit (in East london converted to 6 flats). It has come to light that the property was newly built in the industrial estate 5 years ago and that there is no NHBC 10-year guarantee cert.

My agent is saying he thought it was a conversion from a warehouse unit and therefore didn't check for the NHBC cert but says he can get one as the freeholder is willing to pay for one to move the sale on.

Should I be alarmed by this? What questions should I be asking?

Thanks in advance

crocco

bumpety bump

sammyjammy

Why would you be alarmed if they are willing to pay for a policy to cover it?

crocco

Hey there,

I'm not alarmed, just wondering if I should be. I'm a complete newbie to this and wondered if it all sounded a bit fishy.

Thanks

tim123456789

so the house wasn't built by an NHBC accredited builder.

Not all are, nothing fishy at all.

crocco

Cool, glad to hear it, Thanks for the help guys

gazter

tim123456789 wrote: »

so the house wasn't built by an NHBC accredited builder.

Not all are, nothing fishy at all.

And the NH in NHBC, stands for No Hope if you ever wish to try and claim on it.

Furts

tim123456789 wrote: »

so the house wasn't built by an NHBC accredited builder.

Not all are, nothing fishy at all.

It is a little bit fishy. Someone knew it was new build and not a conversion. How did the other owners pursue matters without a warranty?

A ten year warranty is not exclusive to NHBC registered builders. Zurich were in the market at the time as were others, probably local authority and also BLP.

It does suggest at the minimum, incompetence, or at a maximum a developer trying to hide something.