New build purchase - in an unfortunate situation / homeless

davidmcn

london1990 wrote: »

But isn't it rather unusual for there to be such a long delay? I guess I am just wondering, in practice, how much longer could I be waiting around.

That's quite a short delay compared with some other threads here. I don't think anybody here can give further advice about likely timescales without knowing more about the particular development.

I am being hounded by a furniture store too that has had a sofa and bed in storage since June and they are now saying if I don't complete by October then they can't deliver it until the new year due to Christmas deliveries. Not sure if that is just bull to put pressure on me as they obviously have targets as to how quickly they can get deliveries out, but it just adds to the stress.

As you've no doubt figured out by now, it's not a great idea to buy furniture for a house which hasn't been built yet.

SuboJvR

Have you been able to keep track of the build, do you know what stage it's at at the moment? This should help you figure out how likely the next completion window may be.

Unfortunately, it's a difficult situation to be in as you have effectively been counting your chickens before they're hatched. We're buying a new build, but haven't actioned anything until we get our firm completion window. The sales team at our development were very informative on this point for us - that it was only an estimated window. Indeed they have told us now what week they are aiming for but again stress that this is an estimate. Anything can happen - delays in supplies, adverse weather, unexpected employee/contractor sickness, any combination of these - that may contribute to the delay.

However as our property isn't far away I've been able to keep tabs on things for myself as well, and we have been inside the property so know where it's up to. We are being told still last week October/first week November as our "window"; today we received word that the 2nd fix carpentry has been completed (skirting boards, interiors, etc) and the next stage is the 2nd fix plumbing and electrics - so the radiators going on, sanitaryware, plug sockets. From there it'll be decorating. So it seems like we have a lot of weeks still for them to do those things, but this is to also accommodate their snagging process and the final NHBC sign off, after which we will get our two weeks' notice of completion.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that if the roof isn't even on yet for example, September must be challenging...

dannyrst

Our completion is expected the week before 6 months is up for our HTB and Mortgage Offer. Fully expect both to be extended without issue if the build slips.


For reference. our completion date is expected to be 20th October and as it sits, the house is built, plumbed, wired, plastered and currently interior walls are being painted, then we expect them to start fitting bathrooms/kitchen and begin on the garden and parking.

london1990

dannyrst wrote: »

Our completion is expected the week before 6 months is up for our HTB and Mortgage Offer. Fully expect both to be extended without issue if the build slips.


For reference. our completion date is expected to be 20th October and as it sits, the house is built, plumbed, wired, plastered and currently interior walls are being painted, then we expect them to start fitting bathrooms/kitchen and begin on the garden and parking.

Do you know if there are any legal consequences for me if I stay in an Air B n B arrangement for more than a de minimis amount of time? As I said, I'm moving into a friend's house as a temporary solution due to the delay, but the delays could be protracted from the experience to date. As I said, I would not be paying any council tax etc. I'm effectively just couch surfing paying a significantly reduced 'rent' (i.e. only 100 or so a week). It seems like a good solution, but wondering if there would be any consequences with tax etc.

SuboJvR

london1990 wrote: »

Do you know if there are any legal consequences for me if I stay in an Air B n B arrangement for more than a de minimis amount of time? As I said, I'm moving into a friend's house as a temporary solution due to the delay, but the delays could be protracted from the experience to date. As I said, I would not be paying any council tax etc. I'm effectively just couch surfing paying a significantly reduced 'rent' (i.e. only 100 or so a week). It seems like a good solution, but wondering if there would be any consequences with tax etc.

Presumably your friend is paying council tax/rates? If they continue to do so you're not liable surely you're just an extended guest.

london1990

SuboJvR wrote: »

Presumably your friend is paying council tax/rates? If they continue to do so you're not liable surely you're just an extended guest.

Yes, I guess so, lodger status I suppose