When you purchase a UK property, you do so with the responsibility of checking the condition of the property you intend to buy. This means that the seller is not legally obliged to inform you of any issues with the property, such as structural defects or other common problems with new homes.

As such, it is imperative that you make sure all the right checks are performed on any property you intend to buy. This includes a building survey, conveyancing checks and searches, and are designed to reveal any issues that may make you renegotiate the price or simply reconsider buying altogether.

However, in certain cases, you may have legal grounds to seek redress. If you feel you have been misled by the seller, read on to see if your problems with new homes matches any of these circumstances…

If the seller lied

While it is not a requirement for the seller to inform the buyer of any issues, they cannot lie about the state of the property. If you think you have been misled, legal action can be taken. However, you must provide evidence for this, something that can be quite difficult to provide. When a seller informs you of anything important during the buying process, it is important to inform your conveyancer. That way, they can confirm this information in writing with the seller’s solicitor.

If the property is a new build under warranty

If you buy a new build home, it normally comes with a warranty that tends to last 10 years. Therefore, any problems discovered within this time should be made right. Typically, new build properties will have a warranty that covers most issues for the first two years, excluding basic wear and tear. After this, only severe issues, such as structural damage, will be covered. However, it is important to check your warranty to see exactly what you are covered for.

If the seller has broken the terms of the contracts of sale

One the exchange of contracts has taken place, both parties are then bound by the terms within the contract. In other words, if the seller agreed to leave specific fixtures in the property, but instead removed them, you might be able to make a claim against them.

What’s more, if any damage has occurred since the exchange of contracts, such as a burst pipe, the seller must let the buyer know. While the buyer is responsible for insuring the property after exchanging the contracts, if the seller does not inform them of an issue that later results in serious damage due to lack of action, you might be able to make a claim.

If your surveyor has been negligent

It is important to choose a conveyancing expert who you know you can rely on. If you don’t, you may find yourself dealing with expensive issues that they failed to identify. If this happens, you may have grounds for a professional negligence claim. Again, you need evidence that they provided a less than acceptable service.

Avoid conveyancing drama with Betesh

Betesh Middleton Law is a reputable law firm that has offered excellent conveyancing services to numerous homes across Greater Manchester. We offer a reliable service that ensures a smooth, stress-free process, making sure you can move into your new home as swiftly as possible and hopefully avoid problems with new homes. To learn more about our services, get in touch.