Completion Date moved

[jimbob]

Hi all,

We put down a reservation on a plot off plan in August 2006, we were told a Feb/March 2007 Completion date.

The company badgered us at least 2 or 3 times a week until we exchanged contracts in early October 2007.

we went in on 29th October to pick our new kitchen/tiles etc.

Over christmas we went down to the site to have a look at our new home's progress and were a little concerned that we couldnt see any building work going on around where our plot was supposed to be.

I rang the site on Friday 5th Jan 07 to be told that the schedule had changed, and our house wouldnt be ready until June 2007, 5 months after we were originally told.
We were also told that the schedule was changed at some point in September 2006, before we had exchanged contracts.

My solicitor was not informed, and neither were we.

I am waiting for the sales manager to get back to me, but dont hold out much hope.

We are not first time buyers, and moved out of our house in September, when we completed.
We are currently staying with family, and all of our furniture is in friends and family's garages and sheds.

I am disgusted at the lack of communication, and feel that we have been lied to about the completion date, just to get us to exchange contracts.

What are our options, can we pull out of the sale with no penalty.

Thanks

James

[jimbob]

Just an update,

The builders have offered us £1000 goodwill gesture.
I dont think this is enough for a 5 month delay.

they are also saying that the schedule changed the day after we exchanged contracts.

Even so, we were still not informed of any change.

[Tony]

To find out if you can pull out of the contract without penalty - check the wording of your contract. They usually allow for delays though, so it is unlikely.



This is a common scenario and they can hardly blame the weather this year!

Compenation is only payable after they have served notice - this is know as liquidated damages.

Tony

[jimbob]

Tony wrote:

To find out if you can pull out of the contract without penalty - check the wording of your contract. They usually allow for delays though, so it is unlikely.



This is a common scenario and they can hardly blame the weather this year!

Compenation is only payable after they have served notice - this is know as liquidated damages.

Tony

The weather doesnt enforce a 5 month delay!!




Our contract says 'all dates subject to change'

They have covered themselves legally, but we were lied to by their staff.
They were aware of the schedule change in October when we went in and saw them, but didnt say anything.

we are just angry at the complete lack of communication and customer service.

they know we cannot pull out and we have paid a 10% deposit, so they dont really seem to care about us now.

[Tony]

The sales staff get quite a lot of money for each house they sales plus all the pressure from head office. This does not excuse the behaviour and the contract is unfair in my opinion. There should be penalties for late completion built in.

Tony