Wondering if anybody has had a similar experience or is in a position to offer advise.
My new home build in Victoria has been completed they are just doing finishing touches. Two days ago they had the building surveyor come through who said everything was fine except that they will not give certificate of occupancy unless a retaining wall is built along the site cut (I have built on a slope). My builder is wanting me to provide evidence I will be completing the retaining wall after handover in the hopes the surveyor will accept this. There is a chance this is not sufficient, my builder has not indicated what will happen if this is the case.
I am hesitant to get the builder for the retaining wall on site the same time as my house builder as if something gets damaged or go wrong I can envision problems with who is to blame etc.
I am a little annoyed because this means that I effectively signed a contact which has given me a house I cannot even live in?! The wall is quite significant and I am wanting to build it from concrete sleepers so I don't have to worry about maintenance later on so cost including engineering and permits is around 35k.
How could they design my house and not be aware of the laws surrounding certificate of occupancy and also I'm a little annoyed as a retaining wall went in and out of my contract a few times and it wasn't until after I did my final contract signing I realised it had been deleted (but copped it on the chin as it was my own fault for not noticing).
Any suggestions? It could potentially be a stale mate if I refuse to provide documents stating I will be doing it however i feel I shouldn't have to do that as they haven't done their due diligence to check everything is up to scratch design wise,
Any help would be appreciated! I'll speak to VBA on Monday but any further info would come in handy