Not allowed to view new build until completion

Pandagurl137

My partner and I have recently exchanged on a new build flat, after reading tons of threads on new builds we decided it was best for us but made note of the fact that everyone was saying to view the property regularly to keep up to date with the quality and where it was at.

When we went to reserve the plot we were reassured by the agent that we could see it whenever we wanted as long as we booked an appointment for health and safety reasons, we were also given an info pack within which was a brochure from the company which stated the same thing.

Fast forward to now and our new agent has told us we cannot go in and see our plot until our home demo which is 1-2 weeks before completion. I've pointed out to her that both the previous agent and the brouchure contradicts this but she has said that it is unsafe until the home demo and mentioned that even then we will only see it that one time.

Where do we stand on this? Is this standard procedure? Has anyone else been unable to view until their home demo?

As we have purchased a flat we don't have access to a show home to view (all the show homes are houses) plus we felt reassured when we reserved that we could keep an eye on our purchase.

ArchtiectBOX

If you're buying a flat you should be able to see it after it has been plastered.

Would be a health and safety concern to see it before that due to the nature of construction of most flats,

davidmcn

Your contract supersedes the brochure. So what does your contract say about it (if anything)?

csgohan4

Don’t forget to Get a professional snagger when you move in to help with any issues

m0bov

Ask your Sol to advise on the contract.

Pandagurl137

Thanks for the suggestions!

Okay so i've looked over the contract and there is no mention of when we can or can't view the property in there.

Is it best to ask the solicitor what we should do or are we within our rights to contiue to push to see it when it's safe to do so?

hammy1988

We went and viewed ours when it was literally a shell, I mean no windows or anything! All we had to do was wear a high vis and a hardhat. I don't see why you are not allowed to see it in the early stages?

Ours is with Linden Homes.

PasturesNew

The trouble is that until the last week or so there's often not much to see - and it can be dangerous on a site as you're surrounded by a variety of trades people, with and without awareness of other people .... and if they let anybody in you can bet your bottom dollar somebody'd turn up dragging kids round with them too, or carrying a toddler and with a new born in a basket.

So, to protect themselves .... and the children of the hapless ... it's a one rule for all.

Best bet you can do is to present yourself at the gates first thing in the morning ... and ask for "a quick look round" direct from the site manager eyeball to eyeball. If they're reasonable/decent and if you present as sensible/normal, then so long as there's no particular reason why now/today isn't a good time .... they will probably just nod you on.

Pandagurl137

@hammy 1988 that's what we can't understand, we want to see it as a shell really and have been advised to by our solicitor to keep on top of how it is coming along as we are only going off of the plan

@PasturesNew hmm I can see your point in terms of children! I hadn't thought to see if we could ask the site manager might have to give that a go

Red-Squirrel_2

What floor is your flat on?

It might be that you'd only be able to look up in its general direction for a long time anyway?

Is it visible from the road? Can you just keep going and checking that everything seems to look as it should?

davidmcn

Pandagurl137 wrote: »

i've looked over the contract and there is no mention of when we can or can't view the property in there.

Is it best to ask the solicitor what we should do or are we within our rights to contiue to push to see it when it's safe to do so?

If the contract doesn't say you can inspect the build (and that would be pretty uncommon for residential sales) then you don't have a right to do so. You can of course ask nicely.