Builders trying to avoid completing snag lists by adding "walk away" clauses to house purchase contracts may be facing legal action from the Director of Consumer Affairs. Ms Carmel Foley said she was awaiting clearance to proceed with a High Court case against builders and developers who engage in the practice.
Among the clauses she war ned against were those which stipulated that a buyer's snag list would not be completed if the contractor was "unwilling or unable" to comply. "This is a licence for them to do what they want," Ms Foley said.
"It allows them to walk away on a `take it or leave it' basis. In my view, this is blatantly unfair and very dubious language which is not in the buyer's interest." She said her office had received a growing number of complaints from buyers about the quality of finishing on new homes.