Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Feb 25, 2016 9:11 pm So we have bought a subdivided land in Northeast Adelaide and got council approval for our build. Builder went to site last week to prep the land and found 3 big tree stumps under where our alfresco will be. The stumps were buried under a pile of wood chips/dirt, which we did not think much about when purchasing the land. Builder had to hire one of the biggest excavator to excavate the stumps and estimated that it will cost us about $1500-$2000. Seeking for some opinions here, would we be able to hold previous owner responsible on their unethical behavior of actually getting fresh wood chips/dirt to cover the stumps, without informing us? Thanks in advance. Jin 2015 5 June:Land settled 21 Oct: Planning consent granted 2016 28 Jan: Development approval issued 25 Feb: Foundation prep begins Re: Tree stump problem 2Feb 26, 2016 11:48 am Update: I have called the Port Adelaide Enfield council for advise today and they have suggested for me to contact my conveyancer and the agent who sold the land to us, also to call free legal service to see what they say. In short, the person at the legal service provider said that we will need to have proof that the previous owner is aware of the existence of the trees and proof that they have deliberately cover/hidden the information from us. So I went off and gather photos that would support my argument that the previous owner is aware of the existence of the tree, decides to chopped it down for land subdivision and hides it under a pile of dirt. Called out conveyancer next, who has kindly offered to contact the seller's conveyancer to see what they can do. Tried calling the agent but her mobile phone and land line has been disconnected?!?!? *smells something fishy* For now, we just have to sit tight and wait. 2015 5 June:Land settled 21 Oct: Planning consent granted 2016 28 Jan: Development approval issued 25 Feb: Foundation prep begins Re: Tree stump problem 3Feb 26, 2016 3:39 pm Forget it, you'll be pushing ships uphill on this. You were subject to a minor deception, happens to most people when they buy a house. Even if they publicly admitted it to be a deception, doubt you would have a leg to stand on. You simply failed in your due diligence. Just get over it and count your losses. Your builder is having you on ( I know its hard to believe..lol) .It does not cost $1500 to excavate and remove 3 ordinary sized stumps (eg 25m gums) . Hire an excavator ( 3 tonne minimum) for an hour for $100+. The stumps should be exhumed in under 30 mins. You can either
If you ever buying land again and are suspect, hire an excavator for one hour and drill pilot holes all over the block to a depth of 2 metres. Re: Tree stump problem 4Feb 26, 2016 8:55 pm We understood that it is difficult to argue after settlement but thought we will try anyhow. If we are lucky we will have it paid, that's great. Otherwise, we just have to move on. The unlucky part for us - the stump is where our foundation trenches lie, so it has to be fully excavated. 2015 5 June:Land settled 21 Oct: Planning consent granted 2016 28 Jan: Development approval issued 25 Feb: Foundation prep begins Hello. I just bought a few acres in Habana, Mackay, and my horses seem to love hanging around under this tree. I would like to name the paddock after this tree. Can… 0 9621 Fellow Perth dweller. Looks like pruns nigra. It's a dark leaf flowering plum. Doesn't get massive and is easily trimmed deciduous tree. Very popular in small gardens in Perth 7 2911 |