WAITING SINCE OCTOBER 07 TO MOVE INTO NEW FLAT

• Wendy calls for change in the Law
• More protection buying a video than a new Home
• Millar Homes relent after disgraceful delay at Ferry Village

In October 2007 Ms Amy Finnie, 19, from Middlesex was told by her employer – Coca Cola – that she was to lose her job due to relocation. She decided that she would make a new life for herself in Renfrew and therefore along with her brother put a deposit on a house being built by Millar Homes in Ferry Village Renfrew. At the time of the deposit (£1500) she was told her new home would be ready in October 08 but delay after delay has arisen.

Her most recent entry date was November 2009 – over a year late. Millar Homes offered Amy many excuses such as “the construction company had never built flats of this design and were finding it difficult” and “several of the construction companies they had been using had gone out of business.” This long wait has turned Amy’s life upside down. Finally they are letting her out of the contract to buy the long delayed house – but she has to forfeit the full deposit

Amy commented on this issue:

“It is two years now since my brother and I put down the original deposit and I still don’t know when the property will be ready. The deposit we had for the purchase has been dwindling away and I feel that my life is in limbo.”

“There have been constant delays with this. I just wanted this over so I can move on with my life. Now I have to start saving all over again for a new deposit on another property.”

“I know that the law in Scotland states that once the missives have been signed the contract is legally binding but surely developers should have some compassion and realise that peoples’ lives can not be put on hold indefinitely just because they do not keep their promises about build times.”

Local MSP Wendy Alexander has been appalled by the delay.

“Amy wanted to start a new life for herself in Renfrewshire moving here from Middlesex. After delay and setback the reality this dream of a new life has been ruined. The way she has been treated is very poor. In England the law does not lock people in, in the same way when a house is not built on time. I would like to see all those whose homes are delayed over a year having the right to go elsewhere.”

“With Builders Missives as they currently stand in Scotland ‘you have more protection buying a video than a new house. I am so concerned over the lack of protection when anyone in Scotland purchases a new build home that I want a change in the law. Families are held to contracts despite builders finishing the house over a year later than the initial deposit documents states.”

“Sadly all that the Office of Fair Trading will do is to put into place a voluntary code of practice for house builders. Instead I would like to see legal protection for those affected. I am working closely with my colleague Helen Eadie MSP who is attempting to bring forward a backbench bill in this area to provide buyers with the necessary protections to stop this sort of thing happening.”