Building - Hit with huge amount of $$ - Can they do this? :(

goodbyekitty · Jul 25, 2006 2:26 am

Early in July I had the final inspection of my property. I was given a list of criteria to check off before I could receive my keys -
Contact the bank to release the final payment.
Organise a certificate of currency and fax it to the bank.

Among a number of other minor details all of which I attended to.

I then made a call to the Homebuyers Centre asking when I would receive my keys, they said I could pick them up the day after the final payment was received.

My bank released the final payment, to the Homebuyers Centre and I figured all was fine.

I gave notice to my rental property agent of my intent to move out within 21 days. As a result they found a new tenant, who will be moving in on 12th August

Today the Homebuyers Centre called me to inform me the final payment had been received. I assumed that meant I could pick up my keys. To my horror, I was informed I could not until I produced them a cheque for $5,900.

This was the first I had any idea I owed such money. I hadn't paid for any additional extras with the Homebuyers centre, as I was on a strict budget. I am financed to the max. with my bank, and cannot get an additional loan from them. I can't get a credit card or any other finance as a result of bad credit (a result of a $75 phone bill that I forgot to pay when I moved house)

As a result, I have to move out of my rental property on 8th August, with absolutely nowhere to move into, and nowhere to put my furniture. I don't have $5,900 stored away, as I have been paying rent, my home loan, bills at the rental property, bills at the new property etc.

I feel that if I was given prior warning of these monies owed, I could somehow have saved $100 a week over the last year to come up with such amount! Considering it was meant to be a 0 deposit house loan,

I am so upset, I can't believe they can do this to me with no prior warning

builda · Jul 25, 2006 9:48 am

Quote:

This was the first I had any idea I owed such money. I hadn't paid for any additional extras with the Homebuyers centre, as I was on a strict budget.

What is the $5900.00 for? Have they given you a signed variation to the contract that you owe the money?

Rest assured, they cannot vary the contract without a signed variation from you. Does the money relate to a fee that is included or referred to in the contract but not part of the contract?

Sorry for all the questions but it does sound bizarre that a bill like that can simply generate out of thin air. (Feel free to discuss on this forum or via PM)

From http://www.bigplans.com.au/text_only/text/aidan-hooper.html Homebuyers Centre is part of the Alcock Brown Neaves group of companies.

Obviously WA, and part of one of Australias biggest building conglomerates.

Have you spoken to DOCEP yet? If not, call them on 1300 304 054 for some further advice and direction. You never know, there may be others that have made the same complaint.

http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/default.asp?id=cp/dev_consumers/ssi/index&menu=cp_consumer

Montbrehain · Mar 20, 2007 3:39 am

As A new forum member , I am reading back over any old threads and posts that interest me ? But Dont you just hate it when people don't come back and finish what they started or let us know the outcome for future reference ?