Plot Changed After Reservation?...

Man_Overboard

Hi,

I reserved a plot on a new Persimmon development a few weeks ago and am due to exchange contracts at the end of this month. The development is in the very early stages, and I got in right at the start - before a lot of the launch emails, etc were sent out.

I received an email from Persimmon this week about the launch of the development. I noticed one issue... The garden has changed size!! I have a photo taken of the site plan when I reserved that clearly shows a big chunk has been removed from the garden!

I haven't spoken to Persimmon about it yet (it could just be an error on their part... right...?) but will be sitting down with them tomorrow morning.

What is the best way to approach this if they have actually tried to change the plot boundaries? Where do I stand if I reserved early and off-plan?

stalkah

I guess a good place would be to ask them to clarify the plot, explain your concerns and then decide what to do from there.

Annie1960

Does the agreement you originally signed show the plot? If so, bring this to your meeting and challenge them on it.

If they are decreasing the size (and you are still happy to go ahead) then ask for a discount to take into account that there is a smaller garden.

BobQ

Not very professional to sneak in a change (if this is what was done) but they can change details like that before exchange of contracts. Have they given a plan to your solicitor?

Soleil_lune

This happened to some friends of my husband's.

Her and her husband bought a plot on a new estate that had a garden around 40 feet long and about 11-12 feet between the houses - on the original plans when they picked the house. Iit had an integral garage - with the bedroom over the garage IYSWIM.)

When she actually got the house, the garden was 20 feet long, and the house was 3 feet from the neighbour (both sides!)

She still went ahead and bought it, and still moans about it at least once a week, to this day!

So she thought she was going to end up with a detached house with about 11-12 feet either side of the house, and she ended up with THIS! (Middle house.) You can't even walk down the side of the house, and the sun can't get to the sides of the houses. A few I know like this, built a few years ago, get very damp very easily.

Thrugelmir

Man_Overboard wrote: »

I have a photo taken of the site plan when I reserved that clearly shows a big chunk has been removed from the garden!

What's changed?

Man_Overboard

Can't post images as I've only just registered so...

Photo I took on reservation;
imgur[dot]com/KhjgYN3.png

Site plan sent in latest email;
imgur[dot]com/KjkvGDF.png

it's not an insignificant change...

tigsly

I'd be questing it - it seems odd the garden doesnt match the 'end of the house'

Man_Overboard

My conveyancer hasn't received much info from Persimmon yet... it seems Persimmon didn't have everything properly together when they released the first few houses!

I'm not using the developers solicitor - I read enough online to understand what a terrible decision that can be.

ethank

Plot 69???

Before: http://i.imgur.com/KhjgYN3.png
After: http://i.imgur.com/KjkvGDF.png

I would assume this is a mistake, as it would be odd for your house to have windows in Neighbours garden!

Go and ask to see the conveyance plan in the sales office which will show you what will actually be yours.

What's more worrying to me is that your neighbours will park outside your house.

RLH33

I would also have a look at the planning permission for the site, the boundaries should be as set out there. Also pose that question to the Persimmon to see what they say.