Aberdeenshire Newmachar-what a joke!

clared112 · 19th January 2010, 10:51

I bought my 1 bed 'luxury' apartment back in june '09, was meant to be complete by October BUT I'm still not in it. The bad quality of the build has resulted in water penetrating through the walls and guess what... it's still not fixed. I wrote to the local paper and they have printed an artical in the paper today: pressandjournal, Article: 1566696 'dream move turns into a nightmare'
I like how they say they'd give me regular updates- yeah after i chase them, i call them, and wait weeks for a response, for the updates. I'm pretty sure they just want me to pull out because house prices are rising and they will now be able to sell it for more. The only work they have done is put up scaffold (which took 4 week to do!!) they still dont know what the problem is let alone how they are going to fix it!!!... It's not just my building there are 2 buildings with the same problem. I will never buy from Bett again... No customer service! No compensation only broken promises!! i have more rights buying a penny chew! never mind a £150K flat...

Does anyone have any suggestions on any further action i could take? I am not pulling out as the flat has prob gone up in value since i bought it and all they'll do is re market it for more. I, to-date, have not seen a penny from them. They just dont care at all.

Tony · 19th January 2010, 23:17

Hi Clare,

I have put your story here I hope that is OK with you - Bett Homes Complaint - Completion Delay - Snagging.org

If you are sure the property has gone up in value it might be worth it. I would check this though with an estate agent.

clared112 · 20th January 2010, 00:42

If it was that easy to pull out i might, but you just cant the deals now that you could last year. You cant buy anywhere in this area without a deposit (at least £10K) and the money i will loses in fee's and paying the financial advisor will cripple me. All i want is what i signed for, a home built to a professional standard and delivered within a reasonable time. For the amount of money this is costing me I would have sincerely hoped for reasonable customer service, which i just don't get-i don't know about anyone else? It takes me weeks to get a hold of anyone at he site or head office and when i do speak to them it's like talking to a brick wall. I was at the site yesterday and there was 1 person walking about, and they say they're pulling out all the stops... in 3 months they've only put up scaffolding and still don't know what's wrong with property. I'm at a complete loss...

clared112 · 20th January 2010, 11:52

Futher to my article yesterday in the press and journel more people have come forward. This is good news, it's puts on more pressure!!! If any other resident of kingseat are on here and want to get together or get in touch and 'join forces' message me. They shouldnt get away with this at all!!!
see pressandjournal Article 1569428- Pair threaten lawsuit over £200,000 flat, for todays report.- well done guys!!!

Clare

Tony · 20th January 2010, 23:17

Here is the link to today's article:

Pair threaten lawsuit over £200,000 flat - Press & Journal

clared112 · 25th January 2010, 11:15

I am now being penalised for the article in the press, They wont be giving me the agreed verbal updates (not that they gave me them anyway) but will only write to me with an update when there is something to update on... ah the joys... I hope cowboy builders got my message. Bett are a hop skip and a jump away from riding horses shouting YeeHaa!

Tony · 25th January 2010, 13:38

Sounds like they are being very childish. Did you contact that lady from the BBC?

clared112 · 25th January 2010, 13:45

Just a bit...
I just called the number that was attached to their post which asks to leave a message. Havent heard anything back.

AandG · 1st February 2010, 21:28

Hi there,

It sounds like myself and my partner are in a very similar situation to you. We were originally due to be in November 2009 however a few weeks before our move in date we were informed that this was to be delayed until January. Then Jan/Feb, then Feb/March and today been told that this is now March/April. In the same message we were also confidently told that things continue to "progress"!!! We have had extremely vague information and nothing that informs us about the precise damage to our actual flat. Absolutely appalled by customer service...or lack of and very disappointed to hear about the extent of problems experienced by other Bett home owners. Certainly would not have proceeded with the purchase if had been aware of this. More than happy to consider ways to join forces in order to exert pressure on Bett homes and try to motivate them into some useful action!
Ashley

clared112 · 2nd February 2010, 09:52

Hi AandG,
Welcome to Snagging.org (The best place to release anger)

I feel your pain. I have been given the option to pull out and receive a refund of my reservation fee and deposit. I am now taking up this offer as, much like you; I’m fed up of the hassle, stress, tears, being kept in the dark and endless phone calls that get me nowhere. I will probable loose the money I’ve spent on Solicitors fee’s but it’s a small price to pay.

It's a lot of money to be spending on something of such poor quality. The Birchlea block are experiencing the same problems and have been since December 2008. One of the women in the block no longer has half her roof, her kitchen units are coming away from the wall and they can’t heat the flats as the insulation is soaking. They are, at the moment, living under polythene sheets and will be until summer. I, like you I’m sure, chose the flat because of the location, 'quality' and type of building. I know that Bett have put in an application to the local planning authority (twice) to try and render the block, this will only mask the problem this will not fix it and we are not paying for a rendered building. Thankfully this was denied by planning... what they should really be doing is re-pointing. I've seen inside Birchlea and it is a sad state. There are damp patches everywhere and they much like us aren’t getting anywhere. They are lovely group of people and that would be the only thing keeping me buying Bett.

I have only 1 thing I can recommend to you and that is get out while you can. I really didn’t want to give it up as this was going to be my dream move... All hope is not lost though as Manor Kingdom do the flats also and on a shared equity basis. Manor Kingdom has a better portfolio for doing renovations (look on their website at their other developments, they have renovated castles into apartments) and do not build Lego lands like Bett do. There are still plots available. I would definitely have look at there website. Although they are a sister company to Bett they have completely separate builders and more importantly different managers and head office and you get more for money. I didn’t want to compromise the location and the building.

Please keep me posted on how you get on and even though I am pulling out I am more than willing to help you with information if you decide to go ahead. Also, if you would like, speak to Gillian Bell at the P&J. She is a great help.