New build - What deal did you get?

Unicorn_cottage

Do you have to pay maintenance charges?

Bionic6103

Unicorn_cottage wrote: »

Do you have to pay maintenance charges?

I've not got to that stage where I've needed to ask those types of questions yet really. I've literally been and viewed a few show homes and then looked at site plans, etc. I will hopefully know on Monday though as I'm planning on viewing the last 4 show homes that I think I'm interested in and then I'll be asking questions. I'll try my best to remember to update once I have.

Jessy07

At what point do you have these conversations? Help!

Bionic6103

Jessy07 wrote: »

At what point do you have these conversations? Help!

I haven't got to this stage yet so I can't honestly answer from experience but I'm assuming it'd be at the time of reserving a plot. I suppose you could discuss it beforehand but I don't think they would offer much until they have something from you that makes them think you're serious.

MissF87

We are currently deciding between Bellway and Avant. Avant comes with so much as standard and looks amazing. But bellway is ready sooner and probably better value for money. Struggling to find out what is 'standard' on bellway though and I've read somewhere you have to pay for their extras upfront, not sure if anyone knows if that's the case?

We are waiting on a buyer for ours before we can reserve - the bellway plot we want isn't released until may though and if initial interest is anything to go by we should be well sold on this house by then. We have somewhere to stay in between so can move our quickly, we are hoping our no chain will give us a bit of leverage. Both home builders know we are looking at each other so also hoping this will give us an edge!

MrSaver96

MissF87 were not buying with Bellway but our extras without developer have to be paid upfront (before roof is on) and so I imagine that’s standard.

MissF87

Everywhere else we have looked is 25% deposit on the extras so this is on our list of questions to ask when we next visit now!

rachel230

Jessy07 wrote: »

At what point do you have these conversations? Help!

You will get this information when you are deep into the process and desperate to move into your new home. You will also be "advised" to use their solicitor and not get your own independent one who will serve * your* interests.. You will be told it's best to use their solicitor because they do this "all the time" and it will be "quicker and cheaper". I cannot stress strongly enough to get your own solicitor.
Get him to go through your lease with a fine toothcomb for things like permission fees, if you are going to be responsible for private adopted roads, and especially onerous ground rent clauses. Google this scandal and educate yourselves about about what being a leaseholder actually means. It has become a nightmare for many people.
Do your homework when buying new builds and above all get your own (experiened) solicitor to check your lease thoroughly.

rachel230

https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeownersrights/permalink/2133687886710518/

https://nationalleaseholdcampaign.org

Richsaul

Before you sign and commit to buy, please ensure your solicitor (not one the builder recommends) thoroughly checks through and explains what the covenants mean and as important what the implications are. Most new houses now contain several restrictive covenants and the most important one is the onerous covenant of estate area maintenance. Please have your solicitor explain what an Estate Rent Charge is, you will have one in your deeds (both Freehold and Leasehold). These are unregulated and can lead to significant financial commitments in a short space of time (£400+ per year). Also ensure that your roads and drains are going to be adopted, if there's any doubt at all (and many are promised but then are not), insure against any future problems - again a good solicitor will advise. Get everything in writing - ask questions like what happens if any of the maintained areas are vandalised - then take a look at access to the estate and the potential for damage and scope of area or equipment that could be damaged - a play area could quite easily cost £10k to £20k to repair and you have to pay it! This is far more important than the bits and pieces that go inside the house, you can always change them afterwards, but you are stuck with these financial and restrictive covenants for the time you live in the house and when you come to sell, you might find that these covenants restrict you. This is being discussed in Parliament at the moment, so isn't a trivial issue - please check all of this before you proceed, so you know what you are committing to.