New build shared ownership - surprise en suite

LVAW

This is going to sound like a first world problem, but please hear me out...

I reserved a new build town house (shared ownership) in January and specifically picked this plot because it has 3 WCs (downstairs WC, 1st floor shower room, 2nd floor bathroom) whereas a lot of others on the development showed an en suite off the main bedroom. It's just my 2 year old daughter and I moving in. I do not need 4 WCs and really wanted a larger bedroom. I specifically stated this in the reservation email at the time.

Fast forward to yesterday, my first viewing of the completed property and there is an en suite(!), making the bedroom rather small (leaving not much room at the end of the bed (60cm)) and barely any room for a wardrobe/chest of drawers.

I raised this with the housing association employee and she is raising it with her manager's manager. It appears I am not the only one who has encountered this issue, there are 2 other properties and purchasers facing the same issue. According to her, the builders built them to whatever spec and the HA team got the drawings wrong. I made my offer based on the HA's brochure and floorplans.

To add, when they were valued by the HA's team and my mortgage lender, it was based on 3 bed, 3 WC.

Any ideas of what I can realistically ask them to do? I've said that ideally, I want the en suite removed, walls & ceiling made good and carpet re-laid but wondered what rights (if any) I have.

Thanks

eddddy

You need to read your contract to see what rights you have.


But generally with newbuild contracts, if there is a significant change in spec, you have the right to cancel the contract and get back any money you've paid (reservation fees, deposit etc).


It might be slightly more complex in your case, because I guess a builder built the house for the Housing Association, and the Housing Association plans to lease the property to you.


If the builder made a mistake, and didn't do what the Housing Association asked, maybe the Housing Associated will insist that the builder puts it right at the builder's cost.


But if it's the Housing Association that got it wrong, I suspect they might be less willing to pay to have it changed.