Can a developer do this?

[Rosecottage888]

Just bought a new build, moved in on Saturday, only things we were aware of that still needed doing was items picked up before completion on the snagging list.

ISA a semi detached property with brick steps at the side leading up to our garden, we've been informed today they're installing a hand rail. We really don't want it and love it as it is but they're insisting they have to do it, and today.

Can they do this? Property is ours, we've paid for it, and we don't want the bloody hand rail 😩

Just remove it once installed. Or they might ask you to sign some sort of disclaimer.

Refuse permission. I don't think they can insist on doing it today and it would give you time to check if you have to legally. Are the steps dangerous without a rail and therefore affect insurance?
My guess is that if they have already sold you the house, they do not get to dictate when they do things, a mutually convenient time needs to be arranged - they ought to have sorted their end prior to completion if this is such a big deal.

Probably needed for building regs signoff.

My parents just got a sun room built with 3 steps down into the garden and the council refused to sign off on it until a railing was put up so I would imagine it's something similar. In the winter you might need a railing.

Thanks for the replies. It's all been signed off and we've been in for a few days now. The steps are lovely and they're drilling the railings into the brickwork so even if we remove it they'll be damaged

If you've got building regs sign off, and you've completed, surely they can't insist? How very odd.

If building regs are signed off that seems odd. Refuse access in writing and ask them to confirm in writing the reasons why they have to do it and say you'll pass to your solicitor to review before granting access.

Mildura that's what I was thinking but can't find anything online. They've literally never mentioned it to us before this morning and it's like oh it has to go in today!