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Difficult solicitors - advice needed

Hi all

Looking for some advice

We're buying a new build and we've been going through the process for a couple of months now, but seem to be stuck

There's several outstanding issues that the solicitors can't get full replies to from the vendor/developer

1) The property is in a low radon risk area (1-3%) but they won't tell us if the levels have been measured or agree a radon bond. As it's a new build you'd think this would be sorted and not something we'd have to do.

2) There's a ditch/brooke which is on our boundary - it runs along one length of the garden, but is behind our fence so we can't get to it. We also lose about 1/2m of our garden due to this. We're being told any maintenance is our own responsibility - I'm sure it won't be much as it's only a small ditch (currently dry) but it concerns me because the neighbour who's land it is is currently a bit aggrieved as the developer has filled it in whilst building. The developer has agreed to clear it after the build is finished, but has had to take the properties fence down to access, which means in the future, if work did need to be done, they'd probably need to take our fence down (or remove the neighbours hedge, which they'd probably not agree to) - what a pain!!

There's a few other bits as well, but so far we're just getting 'we have no further info' back from the solicitors when we ask for more info.

What would you do in my situation?

Thanks
«134

Comments

  • Does the 'ditch/brook' show on the environment agency flood map ?

    Have you done a postcode search on insurance ?

    Sorry to add to your worries - but to check now than later.
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  • Cakeguts
    Cakeguts Posts: 7,627 Forumite
    Sixth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I wouldn't buy a house with a ditch or brook running behind it in case it is difficult to sell. It may be dry now but who knows that it will stay dry.
  • James_Tyroll
    James_Tyroll Posts: 32 Forumite
    edited 19 June 2016 at 11:14AM
    The flood report shows that the area could be susceptible to surface water flooding, due to the soil type being clay, but doesn't actually show the brook on the map. With it being a new build, the surface water drainage will be taken into consideration during build, in theory!

    So no specific mentions of the brook

    I'm getting normal quotes back for insurance using that postcode.
  • bouicca21
    bouicca21 Posts: 6,727 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I think it would be unusual for a radon bond to be used for such a low risk. I had the same risk for my property and measured the level after I had moved in - which turned out to be more or less zilch.
  • marksoton
    marksoton Posts: 17,516 Forumite
    The flood report shows that the area could be susceptible to surface water flooding, due to the soil type being clay, but doesn't actually show the brook on the map. With it being a new build, the surface water drainage will be taken into consideration during build, in theory!

    So no specific mentions of the brook

    I'm getting normal quotes back for insurance using that postcode.

    Trust me, it won't at all.
  • I was hoping that simply having roads with drains would be better than a field with nothing (tarmac is probably about as porous as clay soil!!)

    I did hear from a 'local rumour' that there was flooding over christmas but I know a lot of houses flooded over that period that have never flooded before due to it being so extreme
  • dc197
    dc197 Posts: 812 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    What makes you think he solicitor is vei g difficult? If they can't get an answer then they a probably waiting on info from someone else.

    Where is your boundary, at the fence or in the middle of the brook?
  • IT's more that they keep just coming back with 'We have no further information' - not very helpful!

    Plans shows:

    GARDEN # BROOK | NEIGHBOURS LAND

    Where

    # = Fence
    | = Boundary

    So the brook is on our land
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    IT's more that they keep just coming back with 'We have no further information' - not very helpful!

    If the solicitor isn't being provided with more information it isn't the solicitor who's being unhelpful!
  • chris_m
    chris_m Posts: 8,250 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    IT's more that they keep just coming back with 'We have no further information' - not very helpful!

    What would you prefer them to say?
    If they have no further information then that is the situation, there is no point in them saying otherwise.
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