House Roof Colour Change without consent

IGetMoney

I recently bought a new build house at a point before the roof went on.

At point of reservation, the drawings were all reviewed and I signed against them. My house had a black slate roof at this stage.

At point of viewing the house pre-decoration, the roof was fitted with red mendip tiles. I spoke with the site manager and he advised me because the attached house was planned with red mendip tiles, the black slate and red mendip weren't compatible to interlock with one another.

Now... I don't like the red mendip tiles and it's not what I signed up to buy. I have of course exchanged contracts.....

I've made this perfectly clear to the builders and asked them to resolve the situation, but they are saying they can't or won't.

I really don't like the red mendip tiles and now don't like the look of my house......

What are my rights and where should I take this?

martinthebandit

I don't think the colour of the roof tiles has ever been a factor in deciding to buy a house or not for me, do you think they may weather into a more attractive colour (to you)?

swishy87

We've just signed our new build contract ready for exchange and it states in there something about substantial changes and you having the right to pull out with a refund. Have a look at your contract. Otherwise, they are allowed to do this if not classed as 'substantial' as there's also a clause in there that lets them make changes.

AdrianC

You bought a house before the structure was finished. You're surprised that there's a (let's be honest, purely cosmetic) change in the detail of that finish.

Well...

MistyZ

A roof constitutes a sizeable proportion of the house as a whole and therefore substantially contributes to the overall look of the house. It doesn't matter that some wouldn't be fussed either way, clearly you are and you were led to believe you were buying a house with a slate roof. Definitely look closely at your contract as swishy suggests.

IGetMoney

Whilst it is a cosmetic difference and style in the tile, it's pretty significant from black smooth tiles to red mendip tiles.

I'm not now in a position to pull out because of current property sale and need to move.

They have taken such a big change without even consulting me.

I really don't like the contrast with the brick work and it doesn't look right to me. The bricks were originally chosen to go with the black tiles. It's detracted from my liking of the house and I'm now not looking forward to it as much with this on my mind.

AdrianC

IGetMoney wrote: »

I'm not now in a position to pull out because of current property sale and need to move.

You've already exchanged on your sale? If not, you ARE in a position to pull out of the sale. (But would would happen if there was a delay in the build? I'm assuming you've not exchanged on this new-build yet?)

If you've exchanged on the sale, you still don't have to go ahead on the purchase - you could go into rented.

AnotherJoe

So when you're sat in your living room, or in the kitchen, at night in a bedroom, how exactly will the colour of the roof tiles affect you? If you can persuade a court of the trauma you will suffer, I'm sure you can get out of your contract.

If not, I think you're stuck with it and should move on.

IGetMoney

I've exchanged contract on the property.

Having budgeted for moving in September and planned everything around this date, I don't want to go so far as renting elsewhere. I have never rented in my life and don't want to start now.

In terms of location and the house layout etc. I don't want to lose this plot. All would be OK if they stuck to what they sold me.

AdrianC

IGetMoney wrote: »

I've exchanged contract on the property.

On THIS one, as well? Then you're right. You've got no get-out at all.

I have never rented in my life and don't want to start now.

Honestly? You need to give yourself a bit of a slap around the chops as a wake-up call. You are starting to sound VERY precious here.

All would be OK if they stuck to what they sold me.

They have. Read what you've signed. This will be within the variations that the contract allows, whether you understood that when you signed or not.

swishy87

I can completely understand that a roof colour matters, it does to me too. But I really Would look at your contract as ours would allow us to pull out without a financial loss.