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As with any property purchase, there are pros and cons to buying a new-build home.
Here, we explain some of the most common issues with new-builds and offer advice on how to raise a complaint with your developer.
One of the big attractions of buying a new-build home is the 10-year warranty that comes with the purchase. It works like this:
You should receive details of both the developer's warranty and the insurance-backed warranty as part of your reservation agreement. This should also contain guidance on what is covered by the policies and how to make a claim.
Our experts will guide you to step by step to achieve the best outcome for you.
Get legal advice£99 for a whole year or £9 per month + a one-off £29 joining fee. (Cancel anytime). Provided by W? Ltd.
When you move into a new-build home you may not notice if there are problems with the fixtures and fittings straight away.
But cumulatively it can be very expensive to fix problems with things like tiling, flooring, light switches and built-in cupboards.
If you discover problems in the first two years, you’ll need to contact your builder to get them fixed. It was once the case that checks had to be legally carried out at specific points during the build but these regulations have been relaxed.
If you find that you're fobbed off by a builder when trying to get problems fixed, be persistent. Small problems can add up and be costly, so don't settle for a finish that isn't up to scratch.
Builders must give reliable and realistic information about when the home will be finished, the date of legal completion and the date for hand over of the home.
If an unreasonable delay occurs in finishing the home, you have the right not to go ahead with the purchase and get a full refund of your reservation fee.
But be aware that builders will often give estimated timings in contracts - sometimes overly ambitious timings - which can result in two problems.
The first being that you do move in on time but discover lots of snagging issues (like wonky light switches or incomplete sealant) or the second being that you’re unable to move in on time.
Low energy bills is another big selling point for buying new-build homes, with many builders claiming that new builds can save you up to 50% on energy bills compared to older properties.
Before moving into your home your developer should have carried out an assessment on the energy efficiency on your home.
If you discover your house feels cold in winter or that your energy bills are higher than expected, you should contact your builder and ask for a re-assessment.
If you have a problem with your developer and need to escalate a complaint, you'll first need to go through its formal complaints process.
If the issue isn't resolved, you can check if your developer is signed up to a code of standards. This should be stated on its website. The two main codes are as follows:
If your developer is signed up to a different code, this should be stated on its website.