Our newbuild home’s garage has been used as an office by the builder for five years – I’m furious
A FUMING family say their newbuild's garage has been used as an office by their builder for nearly five years.
Oliver Sims, his wife and their three young children were set to move into their dream home in 2018 when they were suddenly told it wasn't ready.
The company explained to the family that the garage of their new Hull property was being used as a showhome centre, so they couldn't shift in.
But, in a desperate attempt to not let the sale fall through or end up homeless, Oliver signed a document allowing builders Strata to continue working from there.
The dad claimed that he was told the company would be in there for "a year – a year and a half tops", but four years and nine months later his garage is still an office - and his house a "building site".
However, Strata say a legal document signed by Oliver allows it to use the garage and driveway for two more years.
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The Kingswood man said he now feels like there's "no end in sight".
Oliver says since moving in his driveway has become a car park for customers, forcing him and his wife to sometimes park a 10-minute walk from home.
He says Strata has also left his front garden a muddy mess.
Oliver said: "When we signed the document, we were avoiding being made homeless, as our other house had already been sold and emptied.
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"We had no idea how long this would drag on for and we feel like an afterthought in this whole process."
He continued: "My home has been a building site since we moved in.
"Our front garden is just a pile of mud, we had nowhere to park our cars and we still don't have a functioning garage.
"There is no end in sight because the brickwork of the garage is severely damaged and it won't be a small job to complete the original plans."
Works started last month to return Oliver and his family's garage, and property, back to how it was first intended to be.
He said he was told it would take three weeks, but five weeks later the work is still unfinished.
Oliver said: "I find it absolutely disgusting that we've had no correspondence or meeting to discuss a real timeline of what's going on.
"At no point has there been any recognition of the inconvenience we have experienced.
"There has been no compensation, financial or otherwise and our patience and goodwill have been completely exhausted."
Strata has a legal agreement with the Sims that allowed it to use the garage and driveway at the property as the company's sales centre and entrance, until December 31, 2025.
Strata told The Sun Online: "We are not in breach of the agreement that was set out between ourselves and our customer and the works to complete the remedials to the driveaway are being dealt with as a matter of urgency."
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It added: "With regards to the remaining works to be carried out in preparation for handover, the customers have received communication from Strata advising that the works would begin on the 13th March 2023 and would last approximately three weeks.
"Unfortunately due to adverse weather conditions throughout March and April, the works have been slightly delayed and are currently a high priority for the Hull site team to complete as soon as possible."
