New Build- They're changing the garden size, OUR RIGHTS?

Bossypants

BrownTrout wrote: »

why do people who buy new build homes put up with such small pokey gardens?

Some people don't care about garden size or even prefer a smaller one. If all you want it for is to have a drink on the terrace after work during the summer, anything more than a few square meters is just going to be a time/money suck.

Then there's the fact that not everyone can afford as much land as they would like with the house/location of their choice, and consider it a sacrifice worth making in order to get their other boxes ticked.

People have all sorts of different priorities in life.

NeilCr

Bossypants wrote: »

Some people don't care about garden size or even prefer a smaller one. If all you want it for is to have a drink on the terrace after work during the summer, anything more than a few square meters is just going to be a time/money suck.



People have all sorts of different priorities in life.

This.

I've got a (small) postage stamp of a garden. Some paving stones - and a decking area enough for a table and two chairs. I can have a glass of wine or a coffee out there if I want. No maintenance at all. Love it.

jellie

BrownTrout wrote: »

why do people who buy new build homes put up with such small pokey gardens?

How do you know it's a small pokey garden? OP has only said how much they will lose, not how much will be left.

AdrianC

Acre and a half here. A good chunk of it is absolutely wild, and I think I go into it once a year or so...

I think there's some bits I've never been to. I got into the middle of a hedge a little while back, and I think it was as big as the entire garden at our old place.

AdrianC

jellie wrote: »

How do you know it's a small pokey garden? OP has only said how much they will lose, not how much will be left.

It's a new-build on a non-trivial-sized development.

If it was a large garden, there'd be another house or three on it.

MissRScience

MysteryMe wrote: »

Only the OP knows if the reduction in garden size is a deal breaker. If they are not happy with the size as it will now be then having a lawn turfed wont alter anything. It's putting lipstick on a pig. In this instance I would consider pulling out and looking elsewhere or taking up the offer of another plot. It is better to wait 8 months for the right house than potentially living 8 years in the wrong one.

Hi,

Thanks for this. In terms of the size a large garden doesn't fuss us, it was more the way it was done. I was worried about future value on the property for example if we decided to extend etc. Maybe we've been cheeky asking for something in return but I would be happier knowing at least we got something back.

The garden is still respectable 8.7x9.4m.

MysteryMe

If you are still OK with the garden size you are right to ask if, as a matter of goodwill, they will throw a sweetener in. Although legally there is nothing to be done, the size of the reduction is larger than they indicated.

Good luck, it is annoying but try not to let it spoil the experience of owning your first home. The intended size of the garden is unlikely to have an impact on future sales, it is still a decent size. If people want a large garden they are not going to be looking at recent developments anyway and as stated, many people do not want a massive garden.

Sibz

MysteryMe wrote: »

The OP has done what they have done so rather than flogging a dead horse over making a mistake with the solicitor they need suggestions on best way to move forward.

Only the OP knows if the reduction in garden size is a deal breaker. If they are not happy with the size as it will now be then having a lawn turfed wont alter anything. It's putting lipstick on a pig. In this instance I would consider pulling out and looking elsewhere or taking up the offer of another plot. It is better to wait 8 months for the right house than potentially living 8 years in the wrong one.

To be fair to myself and the other that mentioned the solicitor - it includes a suggestion that she might want to change if the cost/inconvenience is not too great. Whether that's flogging a dead horse or not is entirely up to the OP (just like the garden size decision)

getmore4less

MissRScience wrote: »

Hi,

So we reserved a property with Miller homes. They showed us the original plans and we signed to say we were happy. She verbally stated a the time due to some trees they may need to move the boundary line back by 1 meter max. We weren't that fussed, it meant we didn't have the protected tree on our site.

HOWEVER we got a call yesterday to go in and and see the new "proposed" plans. They have taken 3meter from the length of the garden, loosing 28m(2) from the garden. When we asked how we could be compensated (Laying of turf/carpets) they were very reluctant.

I just want to know our rights, she offered to move us to another plot but it could set back the move by over 8months??? We said we were happy with the plot but felt that it would be good customer service to at least "make it up to us". She's going to ask the manager the question, we've yet to hear back.

No other houses on the row have been reserved so they won't know the difference, But we've reserved a property with more land,

Help please moving forward,

Why?

Were people put off by the uncertainty of the garden size or are things slow on the site?


What was on the councils planning for the plot, has that been updated with along with other changes to the site

Unicorn_cottage

People on new build estates generally hate trees especially protected ones. The developer knew those trees where there but were just chancing their arm by trying to build the gardens right out over the root plates of the trees. Typical developers. Don't give 2 toots.