Posting for traffic really, my sister needs some help.
She and BIL want to move home and have been looking at several local new build developments. They especially liked one, and loved the 4 bed detached on the (small) site. They asked a lot of questions about the development and were told a few of the houses are affordable homes and five 2-beds at the end of the close would be social housing. Sister was a little concerned about this - not from any snobbery POV but because another local development mostly comprising social housing has had a lot of problems with anti social behaviour. The new house will be a big step up mortgage wise and she was concerned about neighbour problems devaluing the property or causing issue with a sale if they had to declare disputes etc. However, the lady reassured her that there wouldn't be any issues as it was only 5 houses, and they were not directly next to the house they wanted; they were offered a great deal with part ex and stamp duty paid etc so paid a £300 reservation fee.
On going back in to sign papers they asked what certain symbols on the architect plan (on most of the homes but not theirs) meant as it had been confusing them. It was then revealed that the woman had lied previously and the WHOLE development bar the house they wanted, another detatched house and 2 flats were ALL going to be social housing.
Due to the problems witnessed elsewhere where this was the case they now do not want to proceed with the house. The developers are refusing to return their reservation fee despite it having been paid based on false information about the site. We are preparing for battle with the head office tomorrow - what legal arguments can we use to help her case?