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Home buyers asked for extra €60k to finish project in Meath

The developer has said all deposits can be returned to the prospective buyers
The developer has said all deposits can be returned to the prospective buyers

A would-be homeowner who put down a deposit on a house in Co Meath in 2021 has said the developer should pay all costs necessary to finish the project.

Amanda Mekitarian, along with others, say they have been asked to pay €60,000 more to fund the completion of the homes in Rathmolyon.

Other depositors have also been asked to pay the extra funds to complete their homes.

In a statement to RTÉ's News at One, the developer, Meathamatic Ltd, said contracts were exchanged in 2021 with an 18-month completion period, but construction costs have increased by 30%-40% and interest charges have increased by 50%.

The company said that these factors have created "an unmanageable situation" for the developer.

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The developer has said all deposits can be returned to the prospective buyers.

A number of meetings were conducted with the prospective purchasers to try find a way to navigate through the financial difficulties.

The company said that significant efforts are being made to come to an agreed resolution and the directors are currently awaiting feedback from the prospective purchasers in this regard.

It added that they cannot discuss any individual's property for privacy reasons but said that they are being proactive to come to an agreed resolution for all parties.

"I don't have €60,000. The reason the house attracted us was because it was affordable and within budget," said Ms Mekitarian.

Ms Mekitarian and her husband put down a deposit on the house in June 2021, and were told that the house would be finished by the end of June 2023.

"If I had €60,000 extra I would not have waited. I would have moved on."

Ms Mekitarian said she has missed opportunities to buy other homes while waiting for this one to be completed, as well as being negatively affected by rising rents and interest rates.

"We have lost out on other properties coming up.

"Not only that but I've lost out because my rent has increased.

"Our own interest rates with the banks have increased. When I started this process my mortgage repayments were going to be about €900 per month but now we are looking at €1,300 per month.

"I have also turned down job opportunities which have a significant pay increase because if you are on probation at time of drawdown the banks won't pay the mortgage," she said.