FTB buying new build flat help!

barrglas

Decided to create a separate thread from my mortgage question.
Looking for some advice, me and my partner are buying our first home (both first time buyers) We are moving from rented accommodation. We have found the perfect property, its a ground floor new build apartment which is currently being built and is due to be completed in April 2020.

We placed a reservation last month on the plot we wanted (7th december), ground floor and at the end of the building.
When we placed the reservation we were shown artists renders and details of the site plan. Since then, things have changed, and we have been advised that due to them building the final block of flats in 2020 ( a few streets away) they will have to close the road that the majority of the estate uses for access to parking (which is not near our plot), and it will all be diverted via a single track road, directly next to our apartment. (This was a path & grass in the original drawings).

We have been advised it will be for 1 year, until the other road re-opens, however all traffic for the 100+ apartments will need to drive past our flat (bedroom window at the back and kitchen at the front) And when i say next to our apartment, i mean vehicles will be within 1/2 feet from us.

Do you think its acceptable to ask the home builder to provide maybe extra soundproofing/blinds/extras to keep us happy? If we pull out, they will have trouble selling it due to this, so i feel we are in a good position to negotiate?

Today i contacted the company building the apartments as apparently our reservation expires tomorrow, so i have asked about timescales and the implications of christmas/new year and the fact our mortgage advisor was out of office for two entire weeks over the period. Still not heard back.

I did however send a very detailed letter to the sales office, containing all the information above in more detail and suggesting possible resolutions such as supplying us with white goods included in the asking price, supplying blackout blinds and extra sound proofing in the bedrooms, and ensuring the road is separated by some sort of fence/wall/barrier so to limit damage.

Do you think this is acceptable? As far as incentives go, all they have given from the start is £300 toward legal costs.

Any ideas/thoughts?

Cheers,

hazyjo

I'd be far more worried about this temporary arrangement becoming permanent.

What guarantees do have against that?

Vestra

Headlights and people walking past your windows would put me right off. Is there any other plots available?

barrglas

We have no guarantee in writing as the entire change of plan has not been shown to us in the form of a drawing yet however the official documents do state access changes will be present for 1 year from move in date.

We don't really want to change the plot as once it reverts to the designed development plan, it will be a great/quiet location. Other plots have their own issues regarding location so we want this plot.

barrglas

Also, I feel like I'm being greedy by asking for white goods/blinds, even when we are paying full price for the plot.
Is it normal to ask for extras? How does this work with the valuation? Does it then have to be revalued if we get blinds and white goods as incentives?

Moneyminded

It doesn't sound unreasonable to me that you are asking for extras as a way of compensation. You reserved a plot based on a site plan, with clearly marked parking and traffic flows. Since your reservation they have changed the plans and these new plans now adversely impact your new home, you are within your right to ask them to do something to minimise the impact on you.

Personally I would want to ensure my solicitor was all over the paperwork for this access way to ensure it was only for a year. What happens for example if the new building work gets delayed and the road is blocked for longer?

jaybeetoo

Have you found out how much the lease is and how often (and by how much) it can be increased?

G_M

Have you read the small print? I mean really read it?


Plans made in the early stages of a development often get changed. The temp road closure may be extended, or even made permenant. Other changes may be made. 'artists renders' are just that: an impression ith no legal force at all. Do not expect the finished estate, or finished buildings, to look like that.


How about your plot? Like where the windows are, and how many? That may change....


There is probably a small insignificant clause in the contract, or Plan, giving them the right to alter things 'for operational or economic reasons' or similar.....

davidmcn

Moneyminded wrote: »

Personally I would want to ensure my solicitor was all over the paperwork for this access way to ensure it was only for a year.

There's no realistic way of doing that. Developers are always going to retain the right to phase the remainder of the development how they wish, amend the originally proposed layout, etc. It's part of the risks of buying on an incomplete development.

ethank

This would be classed as a temporary change of use and they would need planning permission to do this. I would be asking for the plans from the local council and read them all in detail.

barrglas

Just a quick update:

We revived our mortgage offer this week so are in a better place with the home builder.

I sent them the letter on Monday and received a response stating that due to staff illness, the sales people would not be back till Thursday and it will be dealt with then.

My only concern now is if they say will will provide blinds/white goods etc, does this need to be declared as an incentive even if I've asked for it as "goodwill"?