Hopps??

[kitty]

Hi everyone,
Im new to this, never bought a property off plan before and is sooo worrying, and by the looks of things i should be! Does anyone know what a HOPPS is? Home Owners Protection Plan i think, does anyone know if its actually worth taking this plan out?? Help... Were buying from Persimmon.

[SteveF]

Hi everyone,
Im new to this, never bought a property off plan before and is sooo worrying, and by the looks of things i should be! Does anyone know what a HOPPS is? Home Owners Protection Plan i think, does anyone know if its actually worth taking this plan out?? Help... Were buying from Persimmon.

Hi Kitty

Welcome to the forum.

In my experience many buyers of newly built homes have a very satisfying experience but as you will note from reading some of the posts on here many end up wishing they had never embarked on the process.

With regards to any chosen builder/developer it is important to understand the way in which they do business....in particular you should be fully aware of how the company resolves issues beyond the date of legal completion (i.e. once you have the keys). Many reputable builders and developers, both large and small take their responsibilities very seriously and when defects or such like problems arise they deal with them swiftly as would be necessary once you were living in your new home. Others sadly do not satisfy their obligations and disputes then become inevitable.

There is a saying that i like to keep in mind whenever i look to make a purchase and that is "buy the seller before you buy the goods". in this situation it would well be worth you doing extensive research into the developer and the particular site on which you intend purchasing. I think you might find some of the posts on here very interesting reading.

With regards to the HOPP to which you refer i have attached a link to a PDF doc that explains what it is. In simple terms it only provides cover in the event that someone has a claim on the title of the property post completion and usually this only occurs if the solicitor has not carried out the legal work correctly....so hopefully you can see this is not relevant to the construction of the home.

Good luck with your new purchase.

SteveF

http://www.firsttitle.eu/keyfacts.pdf

[kitty]

Hi Steve,
Many thanks for your reply, I think i need to keep an open mind for now!! although cant help worrying if im honest. Time will tell.

[SteveF]

Hi Steve,
Many thanks for your reply, I think i need to keep an open mind for now!! although cant help worrying if im honest. Time will tell.

Absolutely the way to look at the situation Kitty.....remember ...fore warned is fore armed. Do as much research as you can and if you think it absolutely necessary let the developer know that you have concerns.

SteveF

[muddyjuddy]

Try and have a look at one of the newly completed homes if there are any - forget looking at the show home as it's finished to a much higher standard. I, personally, would never buy from Persimmon again, but that's just my experience of buying off plan. I'm sure there are some happy customers out there...somewhere.

[SteveF]

Try and have a look at one of the newly completed homes if there are any - forget looking at the show home as it's finished to a much higher standard. I, personally, would never buy from Persimmon again, but that's just my experience of buying off plan. I'm sure there are some happy customers out there...somewhere.

Not that many on this website to be frank!

SteveF

[kitty]

Well, as i said before, time will tell!! And yes, it certainly has...
Legal completion on the 30 june, but no garden, no walls, and no garage! someones going to be busy. What a nightmare??
I wish i'd never set eyes on the place. This certainly hasn't been a pleasant experience. One of which i will NEVER be doing again. so sad.

[SteveF]

Well, as i said before, time will tell!! And yes, it certainly has...
Legal completion on the 30 june, but no garden, no walls, and no garage! someones going to be busy. What a nightmare??
I wish i'd never set eyes on the place. This certainly hasn't been a pleasant experience. One of which i will NEVER be doing again. so sad.

Hi Kitty

Has the developer advised you that there may be a potential delay to legal completion? If not the as you say they are going to be very busy!

Would you have any issues by not completing on 30 June because if not then perhaps you should be addressing the situation with them now by telling them that you will not complete unless the property is 100% complete and you have had the opportunity of carrying out an inspection. You should not allow them to force you to take possession before you are totally happy!

SteveF

[kitty]

Hi Steve,
We've done nothing but address the situation, and have said that we wont complete if its not done, only to be told that we will be charged interest if we don't pay within 7 days of legal completion! i'm just hoping the weather will dry up for them to crack on. Didn't expect anything less from them really, but was secretly hoping things might, just might be different! How wrong was i?? Just know we will be fighting a losing battle.

[SteveF]

Hi Steve,
We've done nothing but address the situation, and have said that we wont complete if its not done, only to be told that we will be charged interest if we don't pay within 7 days of legal completion! i'm just hoping the weather will dry up for them to crack on. Didn't expect anything less from them really, but was secretly hoping things might, just might be different! How wrong was i?? Just know we will be fighting a losing battle.

Hi Kitty
From what you have indicated the property is far from complete. To effect legal completion the developer must provide both the NHBC Warranty cover note and the building control habitation certificate. Both of these will require that safe and clean access is available to access the home and the NHBC cover note should only be issued once all areas covered by the NHBC Warranty have been completed in line with the NHBC standards. I am presuming that boundary finishes i.e. walls and fences and the garage have not been excluded from cover.

Can you get to your property to take a few photos and mail them to me so that i can offer an opinion?

Also i would be speaking with your solicitor and checking what was in the contract with regards to state of build completion required to force legal completion.

SteveF