Anything specific to look for in a new-ish house?

booksandbikes

Having just accepted an offer on our house, we are now searching for our ongoing purchase. One of the houses is on a newly developed estate (completed around 2022/2023) - the house itself being built in 2021. Having only lived in houses a fair bit older (1940's and 1970's build), is there anything I should be looking for in this viewing? I'm not local to the area so I will have a good nosey around the area - is there anything to watch for that will show potential issues? 

The Right Move virtual tour shows some thin cracks in the ceiling, around where the ceiling bends (it's a chalet bungalow) along the shape of the roof (sorry don't know any other way to explain that). Is this 'normal' settling?  

There is no reference to a NHBC warranty but I'm guessing there will be one (will obviously ask agent). Are the integrated appliances covered by the warrantly, and will I be able to see if anything has already been claimed against the warranty? Is it normal to get a homebuyers survey for a new-ish build, or is there some report (building sign off???)  that was produced when the house was completed?

Many thanks.

gwynlas

You should get the remainder of the 10 year NHBC warranty and any obvious problems should have been picked up and dealt with by the builder within the first two years. It is likely that any cracks will be caused by plaster drying out and settlement. Given the weather we have endured over the last three years you might see evidence of standing water in the garden indicating poor substrate beneath.

Myci85

Not about the house itself, but a lot of new build estates have management companies and associated fees, so I'd be wanting to find out what the fees are, and how much they've increased over the years. 

booksandbikes

Good points, thanks. I will look out for standing water in the garden. Yes, pretty sure there is a management fee - I haven't seen it on that particular ad for the house, but have seen it mentioned on other houses on the estate listed for sale. 

The houses uses a Flogas Combi Boiler for CH....is this likely to be tied into a contract for the whole estate? 

Are there likely to be restrictions on what can be done to the house? Specifically, there is no separate door from the garage to the back garden, so all access to the garage is through the roller door. Can the management company prevent us getting a door put in?