advice please

[barry]

dear all,

need some help please!!

I am a first time buyer family ( with 2 children aged 5 & 10) & bought a new 2 bedroom flat off plan.

I was recently told by the developers that the building inspector has passed the flat and hence they are going to give me the keys...ie...completion on the 26th of february.

I was asked to come for familiarisation visit today.

On arrival i noticed the entrance and communal areas are not done at all. Work is still going on. It dosent look like they will complete by the 26th of february when they are going to give us our keys.The site manager told me all the work will mostlybe completed by the 26th of february.

Worse while we stay there work in the building would still be going on hence they will not carpet the communal area....and builders will continue to work.

On their brochure they have advertised
high security electronic entry system ( not in place yet)
remote opening gated vehicle access, (not ready yet).
underground parking ...(i couldnt get to it since not accessible yet)
lifts not working yet.

external areas and access road ..not complete yet.

They say all this will be ready by the 26th of february ...ie...on completion date when i am asked to take the keys & mortgage would startsince the building inspector has passed my flat.

The place looks very unsafe especially for the children (i am being told by the company it is my responsibility to keep them safe).

After familiarisation visit they have asked me to sign a form which i have resisted.

After seeing my disappointed look they said ....todays visit is not a snagging visit since after completion on 26th February and giving me the keys & starting to live there... i will have 7 days to give them a list of snags,which they will then rectify.

Is all this normal practise?
I am a bit concerned about childrens safety!
I am not sure what to do...
should i sign familiarisation visit form ?
what are my options
Could somebody help me.

I enclose a few pictures which i took.
especially outside my windows & the whole place is dusty..which could worsen my wifes asthma.

Thanking in advance
yours

[barry]

sorry the pic didnt upload
trying this time

[Tony]

You can upload your photos to the album here Internal Snagging Photos. You need to be logged in and then choose the add photo option from the drop down menu

Tony

[Tony]

It is not uncommon for buyers of off-plan property to have to live on a building site.

I know of a few cases where completion has been delayed because the site has been unsafe. It is very difficult to comment without specifics. Examples include no front path so no safe access to property and skips being lifted overhead by crane.

It may be possible for your solicitor to organise a retention because of the incomplete work, so you should speak to them.

I hope this helps

Tony