Changes in The Outer Layout for Off The Plan Apartment

OhNoUShiz on 28/08/2017 - 16:14
Last edited 28/08/2017 - 16:50 by 1 other user

This is my first off the plan apartment purchase. I was expecting 2 window panels in my master bed room to have a full WIDTH (left to right) by LENGTH (top to bottom) based on the floor plan I was given when I purchased the apartment.

I like how natural lights can come into the room, however to my disappointment, the developer has altered from 2 window panels to a quarter window panel which only has a full LENGTH (top to bottom).

I have noticed all other apartments except those facing the back, which is one of the apartments I have purchased, have a quarter window panel only based on the sale booklet.

Is this consider a significant change from the layout of the apartment that will warrant a legal case against them or is it an acceptable change?

Thank you.

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  nicread on 28/08/2017 - 16:31

  Seems like an acceptable change to me; unfortunately this comes with the risk of buying off the plan.

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  Freitag on 28/08/2017 - 16:45

  If it did warrant a legal case to pull out and get your deposit back but do you really want to do that? It's probably gone up in value since you bought it I'm guessing.

  The builder is allowed to change things like that, when they do the initial architectural design they haven't worked out all of the details for the structural design or the services so there will always be changes as those are firmed up. It's one of the down sides of buying off the plan.

  It should all be in the contract.

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  endotherm on 28/08/2017 - 18:46

  +1

  It may have been the case that a full window would have looked into a neighboring property, and the window size was adjusted to afford privacy. Sometimes these requirements are imposed on the builder by various laws or under direction from a building inspector. Some times these things aren't picked up at the architect stage, and don't get changed until after they are built.

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    jjjaar on 29/08/2017 - 08:27

    This is exactly what would have happened. You either bought before they had final council approval (or tribunal if it went there). Or it was noticed during building stage.

    They've changed the windows to prevent overlooking into neighbouring properties, which isn't an issue in the front apartments. Your contract would state "floorplan subject to council approval" or similar.

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  PVA on 28/08/2017 - 18:49

  +1

  seems a major change to me.
  But It may have something to do with how the sun enters the building, for environmental (heating/cooling) reasons.