Browse Forums Building A New House 1 May 23, 2010 3:15 pm Hello friends We signed off on our building contract at the end of September - just in time for the $32K First Home Owners Grant (we're building in suburban Melbourne). As I'm sure you'd know, we had a timeframe of 6 months to lay the foundations. Unfortunately, this didn't occur... and now, eight months on, only this week did we get the site cut. Given how busy our builder is, I understand the slab won't go down for another week or two. This means that we're basically, going to be 3 months over the 'deadline' for the FHOG. However, I understand that we can apply for an 'extension of time' to the FHOG application. We've got everything in place to do this (letters at the ready), but are awaiting confirmation of the date of the slab going down (you need this for the FHOG, I am told). Has anyone else applied for this same extension of time to the FHOG via the Victorian State Revenue Office (SRO) and if so, how did you go in getting the extension? From having spoken to a fella at the SRO, he intimated this is happening a lot and they're issuing these extensions as a mere formality (as they understand how busy the industry is at this time)... but, he didn't want to give me any specifics. I can't tell you how much bother we'd be in if we were not able to get that $32K! Please let me know if you've been/ are in this same situation. Thanks in advance, Crunchbone Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 2May 23, 2010 3:25 pm We were in the same situation, with our build start being three weeks past the deadline, but ours was due to a delay in our land being titled, which caused further delays. We simply asked our builder for a letter of explanation, in which we also provided a letter to the SRO, explaining our circumstances, and were approved. I'm not entirely sure, but the extension may not be approved if it is due to your builder being overworked, but more so if the situation is beyond your or the builders control, but please don't quote me on that. Perhaps give them a call tomorrow and explain the situation. The process was really simple, just a matter of asking your builder for a letter. Good luck Dear J.K. Rowling, Your books are entirely unrealistic. I mean, a ginger kid with two friends? Sincerely, Anonymous Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 3May 23, 2010 3:58 pm Thanks very much for the reply, TLM. It's an amazingly long story (as I'm sure most building stories are!), but we had to have our plans re-drawn 4 times. Add that to the fact that the industry at large, has more work than it can cope with, is what has caused our delay. We've already got the letter from our builder explaining this... and have our own letter to send in to the SRO when the time is right, too. I'm very happy to hear that you didn't have too many troubles with getting your extension... but, certainly, our delay was well and truly out of our hands, as well - so I am more than hopeful that will help us in getting the desired outcome. I'd be very interested to hear if anyone else has a similar tale to tell in regards to the FHOG extension. Thanks again Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 4May 23, 2010 4:40 pm You wouldn't happen to be building in Skye? I am in the same boat, when submitting the forms originally the bank "guestimated" all the dates. I have letters from the developer stating that the delay was their fault. My builder seems pretty confident that there won't be a problem and I plan to do nothing unless they don't pay (the SRO has already approved the application). Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 5May 23, 2010 5:31 pm Not a problem crunchbone, and please don't worry, you'll be able to sort it out easily It took three weeks to be approved though, as they had a backlog at the time. Can i ask where your building? We are building in outer Melbourne, but currently living in the northern suburbs. Dear J.K. Rowling, Your books are entirely unrealistic. I mean, a ginger kid with two friends? Sincerely, Anonymous Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 6May 23, 2010 7:51 pm Thanks Dexter - thanks again, TLM. We're actually building in Gowanbrae. We've had the land for a few years and we're finally in the position to put something on it! Or... at least, we will be if the SRO comes to the party! Our builder too, doesn't appear to be overly concerned with the situation. I'm sure they know a lot more about it than we do... it's just that if it does goes belly up, we're the ones who are going to be most affected, not really them! The good news is, we have already been approved by the SRO... we were well before that 6 month period lapsed. It's just a matter of now getting that slab down, and because we're well behind time there, we need to apply for that extension of time. Thanks again for your well wishes. I'll make a note to let you know how it all panned out. If it's for the worse, though - I may not be physically able to let you know the day that I find out! I hope you guys go well with your builds Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 7May 24, 2010 9:35 pm I also signed contract in September. Applied for FHOG extension to SRO in April. Received extension approval letter last week and it gave me unlimitted extension. The letter says as long as the house completed within 2 years of signing contract I'm eligible for full $32k grant. Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 8May 24, 2010 10:36 pm Thanks Khpaoary, I am just wondering all the paperwork such as the letter from third party stating the reason of delay of construction should be original or copy is fine. Which department of SRO should I post the documents to? Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 9May 24, 2010 11:00 pm Hey there cb, I was in your situation called up SRO and they pretty much told me to do this... http://www.sro.vic.gov.au/sro/SROnav.ns ... A1004420F5 In addition: * construction must commence within 26 weeks of the date of the contract * the contract must specify a completion date for building work within 18 months of the date of construction commencing or construction must be completed within 18 months of the construction commencing. In limited circumstances the Commissioner may approve an extension to the commencement and completion date where the delay was outside the control of the parties and could not have been foreseen at the time of entering into the contract. A request for an extension to the commencement date will only be considered once an application for the First Home Owner Grant has been received and each request for extension will be considered on a case by case basis. Requests for extension should be forwarded in writing to the Commissioner and the following documents should be included in support of the request: 1. A letter from the applicant(s) requesting an extension stating the reason for the delay and providing the applicant(s): 1. Full Name(s), 2. Purchase property address, and 3. UIN Number (if known). 2. A copy of the signature page from the contract to build. 3. A letter from the relevant third party (e.g.: builder, developer, local council or private surveyor etc.) that clearly states the nature of the delays and the actual or anticipated dates foundations were/or are to be laid. What I did was I not only emailed them my application for extension at fhogvic@sro.vic.gov.au, but also sent a hard coy to the address which I cant remember. Just call them up and ask... I was quite late in applying for extension more than 8 months after signing the contract... I handed my application last month so I should be hearing form them soon, but many have told me they are quite reasonable and lenient as long as the reason for delay was beyond your control... Good luck with everything and I'm sure it will be all OK. Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 10May 25, 2010 7:20 pm flb2046 Thanks Khpaoary, I am just wondering all the paperwork such as the letter from third party stating the reason of delay of construction should be original or copy is fine. Which department of SRO should I post the documents to? I sent all the required documents by fax. There is a fax no. given in SRO website. Re: Victorian FHOG time extension 11May 25, 2010 7:52 pm Hi everyone Thanks VERY much for all of your replies - they certainly have put my mind at ease! I also rang up the SRO today (prior to seeing all of the replies from yesterday) and was told that there are MANY people in the exact same situation as ourselves. Although we're not across the line as yet, it does make me feel better that we're not the only ones! Thanks again for all of your help! I havent, and i havent looked to much into it, but on face value its not the saviour its trying to make out to be. Shared equity in your home is never a good idea. The… 1 3958 Hi, We have a single story MacDonald Jones house, on a waffle pod slab with steel frame. Are we able to build a second story extension? 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