NewHomeExpert
Well-Known Member
According to a leading professional snagging comapny 97% of his customers have never received the Consumer Code for Home Builders.
Do Redrow give this on Reservation as they are required to do (1.2) or much later?
Redrow - Abbotts Walk Winchester - Snag or planning issue?
- Thread starter abbottswalk
- Start date
According to a leading professional snagging comapny 97% of his customers have never received the Consumer Code for Home Builders.
Do Redrow give this on Reservation as they are required to do (1.2) or much later?
Zeta jones
New Member
Hi Abbotswalk,
I am having a similar problem as yours. The new Redrow home I am planning to buy shows a retaining wall to the end of garden but it has been built 2/10 and the rest replaced with wooden fence. I pointed to the sales person who has passed it on to technical department. The tech department at Redrow have said that at some point it needs one but they are not obligated to built it full way through? She has asked me to speak to my solicitor. I have to say my solicitor who belongs to reputed firm has being doing all Redrow houses in that development and is very good friends with sales team not sure how much of an objective help I am going to get from her. Would appreciate some advice.
I am having a similar problem as yours. The new Redrow home I am planning to buy shows a retaining wall to the end of garden but it has been built 2/10 and the rest replaced with wooden fence. I pointed to the sales person who has passed it on to technical department. The tech department at Redrow have said that at some point it needs one but they are not obligated to built it full way through? She has asked me to speak to my solicitor. I have to say my solicitor who belongs to reputed firm has being doing all Redrow houses in that development and is very good friends with sales team not sure how much of an objective help I am going to get from her. Would appreciate some advice.
NewHomeExpert
Well-Known Member
I am amazed and disappointed that house builders are not only breaching the requiremnts of the Consumer Code for Home Builders that they all signed up to adhere to, but they are also breaking the law! The consumer protection regulations were put in place to stop properties being mis described and buyers mis informed. You should report Redrow to your local trading standards office.
House builders are NOT ALLOWED to stipulate, specify or nominate a particular solicitor is to be used. Even recommending a certain firm because it will be "quicker" or "easier" is not allowed under CCHB requirement 2.5. and the Consumer Protection Regulations.
My fingers are red raw from typing this advice and CCHB rules on this forum.
I suggest you click on the links and READ for yourself why this is so wrong and which rules Redrow are breaking.
No wonder thye advise you to go to "your solicitor" they no doubt control that solicitor.
You should report this firm to the law society too as they are breaching SRA handbook rules too.
abbottswalk
New Member
ZetaJones
Personally, i'd take it in to my own hands (but i am a bit of a control freak), possibly keeping the solicitor informed:
Check on the most recent approved plans the council has, they should be accessible on the web, what you think should be there.
Then contact the planning officer for the application to see what they think should be built and what you believe has been built.
(Ask if there is a compliance officer assigned to the development from the council too)
I'd do it by email and copy in the area sales manager and sales director for the Redrow division.
The next step would be to lodge an enforcement case, but hopefully you won't have to go that far, as hopefully they'll spring in to action and just get it done. As if they let an enforcement case get registered it should show up in the searches of anyone else trying to buy on the development (not good for sales!).
The risk is that once you complete, the enforcement action may actually be against you as the legal owner, but your contract should state Redrow will build the house to the approved plans, so you'd then have to chase them up. I'd expect the council to be reasonably pragmatic about it and just let it get built by Redrow rather than penalise you at that stage..
Personally, i'd take it in to my own hands (but i am a bit of a control freak), possibly keeping the solicitor informed:
Check on the most recent approved plans the council has, they should be accessible on the web, what you think should be there.
Then contact the planning officer for the application to see what they think should be built and what you believe has been built.
(Ask if there is a compliance officer assigned to the development from the council too)
I'd do it by email and copy in the area sales manager and sales director for the Redrow division.
The next step would be to lodge an enforcement case, but hopefully you won't have to go that far, as hopefully they'll spring in to action and just get it done. As if they let an enforcement case get registered it should show up in the searches of anyone else trying to buy on the development (not good for sales!).
The risk is that once you complete, the enforcement action may actually be against you as the legal owner, but your contract should state Redrow will build the house to the approved plans, so you'd then have to chase them up. I'd expect the council to be reasonably pragmatic about it and just let it get built by Redrow rather than penalise you at that stage..
NewHomeExpert
Well-Known Member
Abbotswood is quite right, using the Local Authority to enforce planning could well result in the various property owners being required to comply!
On the otherhand, as we all know Council Departments and employees can take an absolutely ages to take any action.
Even if they do manage to drag themselves away from their Facebook page, I doubt an issue like these would be enforceable.
The retaining walls may be "shown" on the "approved plans" but the deviation in not building them could easilly become "approved", if Redrow apply for a retrospective "rider" to their planning approval.
The best route is to put pressure on REDROW. Write to Steve Morgan CEO.
They have mis-sold you pure and simple.
They have breached at least two requirements of their own code (CCHB) and The Consumer Protection Regulations 2008.
A quote from Abbotswood's blog:
"Appointed a conveyancer using FridaysMove having decided against using a Redrow 'recommended' one. Sorry, call me old fashioned, but would like them to look after my interests not to be looking for their next referral."
It is a pity more new home buyers don't think like this.
That "nice sales lady" is not helping buyers; she only wants her commission for the referrals and is doing quite well from it by the sound of it.
On the otherhand, as we all know Council Departments and employees can take an absolutely ages to take any action.
Even if they do manage to drag themselves away from their Facebook page, I doubt an issue like these would be enforceable.
The retaining walls may be "shown" on the "approved plans" but the deviation in not building them could easilly become "approved", if Redrow apply for a retrospective "rider" to their planning approval.
The best route is to put pressure on REDROW. Write to Steve Morgan CEO.
They have mis-sold you pure and simple.
They have breached at least two requirements of their own code (CCHB) and The Consumer Protection Regulations 2008.
A quote from Abbotswood's blog:
"Appointed a conveyancer using FridaysMove having decided against using a Redrow 'recommended' one. Sorry, call me old fashioned, but would like them to look after my interests not to be looking for their next referral."
It is a pity more new home buyers don't think like this.
That "nice sales lady" is not helping buyers; she only wants her commission for the referrals and is doing quite well from it by the sound of it.
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Zeta jones
New Member
Thanks for the advice, the house has been valued and loan approved I guess I can refuse to exchange until they start building the wall
Zeta jones
New Member
Thanks for the advice, how do I access the plans from council I have been trawling through the council website and have not been able to access the plans.
NewHomeExpert
Well-Known Member
Two people have spent time giving you some very good advice.
If you want to see the plans the council has you would need to make an appointment with the local planning office, go down on the day, probably pay a fee and you can then "look" at the approved plans. Even then, you would probably need the planning reference number.
Or perhaps you would like me or Abbotswood to do it for you!
You should be asking why Redrow have mis informed you and why are they now being so unreasonable and un cooperative?-
- a warning of things to come?
If you want to see the plans the council has you would need to make an appointment with the local planning office, go down on the day, probably pay a fee and you can then "look" at the approved plans. Even then, you would probably need the planning reference number.
Or perhaps you would like me or Abbotswood to do it for you!
You should be asking why Redrow have mis informed you and why are they now being so unreasonable and un cooperative?-
- a warning of things to come?
Zeta jones
New Member
Thanks will take it up with Redrow after I gather evidence from council and keep you posted. You guys have given me confidence to be assertive in my dealings with them
abbottswalk
New Member
ZetaJones,
Which Redrow development is it? I thought most local authorities did publish applications online (there was a national system being piloted, but that ended in 2010), but guess some may not be.
Which Redrow development is it? I thought most local authorities did publish applications online (there was a national system being piloted, but that ended in 2010), but guess some may not be.
abbottswalk
New Member
As a general update, we've completed on our purchase this weekend.
We had Martyn from BrickKickers around to do the snagging inspection and he was incredibly thorough.
a) seeing stuff we wouldn't have even known about or noticed for a while
b) able to focus on the snagging, whilst i'm being overwhelmed with information and lists of things to get done, etc.
In general terms, he did say the house was generally a good standard and impressed with the overall quality and construction. So I think we've avoided getting a lemon! It is by no means error free though. I would certainly say it will be money well spent on the inspection, for piece of mind if nothing else.
We had Martyn from BrickKickers around to do the snagging inspection and he was incredibly thorough.
a) seeing stuff we wouldn't have even known about or noticed for a while
b) able to focus on the snagging, whilst i'm being overwhelmed with information and lists of things to get done, etc.
In general terms, he did say the house was generally a good standard and impressed with the overall quality and construction. So I think we've avoided getting a lemon! It is by no means error free though. I would certainly say it will be money well spent on the inspection, for piece of mind if nothing else.
Zeta jones
New Member
It is Wolverhampton Compton Redrow development
abbottswalk
New Member
Does look like Wolverhampton council only put up summary details of the planning application on their website 
Zeta jones
New Member
Yes it has been hyped up as they are having the Wolves training ground in close proximity. I will contact the council as you suggested.
NewHomeExpert
Well-Known Member
Steve Morgan, Redrow CEO also owns Wolverhampton Wanderers FC.
He has a done a "great job" taking them from the Premier League to "league 1" (Division 3) in two seasons!
- Training ground lol!
Zeta jones
New Member
They have been stuck for sometime, so I guess Steve Morgan needs to be seen as doing something !
NewHomeExpert
Well-Known Member
What like he did sacking Mick McCarthy!
Zeta jones
New Member
Hi Abbots Walk, need some advice as I explained earlier I was in process of buying Redrow house, the retaining wall was built part of what was on plans. There is old easement. I got a builder who estimated to built to plan it will cost 5000 pounds. Without the wall the slope is uneven. I asked Redrow to reduce price by the same amount. Met sales director who appeared to see my point alternatively give some white goods she rang their head office they are refused to consider simple request. It left me feeling very upset. David Wilson are coming up with new build in nearby, they are opening the site in October so will be ready by next summer. My mortgage offer is ready and deposit in bank so wondering if I wait and try negotiate a better deal with them
NewHomeExpert
Well-Known Member
To be honest you would be better sitting on your hands and waiting until the market crashes aftre the next election (May 2015).
You may think prices will keep going up but once interest rates start rising and they will have to despite what Carney says, the market will crash.
David Wilson Homes are "a dog with different fleas"
You should read the posts here and buyer's websites about them!
They ARE actually Barratt Homes.
You may think prices will keep going up but once interest rates start rising and they will have to despite what Carney says, the market will crash.
David Wilson Homes are "a dog with different fleas"
You should read the posts here and buyer's websites about them!
They ARE actually Barratt Homes.
Ratchine123
New Member
Hi, I have recently purchased a plot in the new Redrow Development in Abbotts Walk, they were meant to built a flint wall to surround our house according to the model plans in the sales office and according to the team. However it looks like they wont be now we wanted to check boundary material plans on Winchester Council Website, does anyone know where we can check this on the council website? We can still check in the sales office but we want to ensure the plans submitted to the council are what the sales office have.