Dublin City Council Affordable Housing Snag List

I am currently in the process of buying a new apartment from DCC under the Affordable Housing Scheme. I assumed that I would get to do a snag on it, but the council have told me that it has already been snagged and that the builders are long gone off site.

It looks like I am technically buying a second hand property and now I am unsure as to where I stand if something crops up that was missed in the snag. Will it be my responsibility to rectify it, or the council’s?

If anyone else had been in a similar situation and can throw any light on it for me I would greatly appreciate it.

With thanks,
Junipers

I bought an apartment in Dec 06 through DCC Affordable Housing Scheme. Similarly, they told me it had already been snagged by them and that if any problems came to light in the first 6 months they would get it resolved.

I did indeed find a few problems when I moved in and I didnt have much luck in getting the council to do anything about these. I contacted the builder myself and got a couple of things fixed. Still trying to get one problem fixed, which I have been chasing a sub-contractor for, although it looks like it is finally getting done tomorrow.

Just one piece of advice if you find snags - get the full names and contact details of everyone you deal with and note down the dates and times of phonecalls etc in case you need to write any letters at a later date.

Also, give the council a call and ask them what the situation is if you find any faults when you move in as there may be different criteria/conditions on the different developments etc.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply intermission. It helps a lot.

Just one question though, was there anything in your contract indicating that the council would take responsibility for anything that cropped up in the first 6 months or was it a verbal agreement? From your experience do you think that it would be advisable to insist that something be included in the contract in relation to this?

I think there was something about a 1 year guarantee in the Homebond contract (it also covers major structural problems for 10 years). The homebond contract was assigned to the council when the property was completed. However, the 1 year guarantee had expired before I moved in as the property was ready for ages before the council sorted out all the paperwork allowing me to move in.

So I think it was more of a verbal agreement that they would resolve issues found within 6 months. I think if you try to get something into your contract then it will hold up the paperwork even longer and I'm not sure that the council would agree to it.

Are you using a council solicitor or your own solicitor?

[FONT=&quot]We have prepared snag lists for a number of clients who are purchasing through the affordable housing scheme, so I would definitely question why you’re not allowed carry one out.

Regards

Fintan
www.HomeSnag.ie[/FONT]

Dundalk Town Council doing Snag List.

I am about to buy a property from Dundalk Town Council and they have told me that they too are doing the snag list themselves.

I didnt know about this, just got it in a reply during a routine enquiry. Have emailed them enquiring about what happens if further faults are found after I move in, plus I have informed my solicitor what may happen contracts wise.

The property itself seems long finished with people already in 2 doors down.

Mayo Exile, I complained to the Ombudsman about DCC doing this and consequently DCC have changed their policy. You might consider doing the same.