Your frequently asked questions answered

All apartments come with a 999-year lease, which is known as a leasehold agreement.

Everyone is aware of the rising cost of living and that is no different within the construction sector.  In fact, builders and developers are at the sharp end of rising costs with the price of raw materials rising daily. Added to that, is the cost of importing some of our materials and the rising prices associated with that through higher fuel and labour costs.  Sometimes raw materials prices are changing overnight and as a developer, if we cannot secure fixed prices for our materials and labour, then we cannot provide a fixed price to you, our buyer. 
 
For this reason, we are reviewing our pricing regularly and if there is a specific property you like, please do speak to our agent who will be pleased to provide a ball-park figure which will be pinned down on the day you exchange contracts.  Therefore, we are saying on all our marketing materials ‘price available on application’. We hope you understand.  We are not being underhand, just trying to adapt to the challenges of a fluctuating market.

Please call our agent, youngsRPS, on 01434 608980.  They are located on Priestpopple, Hexham, NE46 1PS and you will need to make an appointment if you wish to discuss the reservation process.

To reserve the plot of your choice, we expect you to pay a reservation fee of £1,000 to youngsRPS.

Paying a reservation fee to us will allow you, the buyer, to reserve a property for a period of time – in this case 8 weeks – so that your solicitor can carry out the necessary due diligence and exchange contracts. However, due to popular demand and the desire of so many buyers who are keen to reserve a specific apartment, it has been necessary to accept reservation fees some time before the completion of the development.  We will therefore need to be flexible about refunds and this will be reflected in the written agreement setting out the terms of the reservation.  

If you fail to exchange contracts within the time period specified when it becomes necessary to proceed with your purchase (because the development is nearing completion) if you then decide that The Wool House is not for you, whether you will be entitled to the return of your fee will depend on the terms of the reservation agreement.  Our agent will talk through the details with you at the time you pay your reservation fee. 
To protect your interests, you should always ask your solicitor to review any agreement before you enter into it and pay the reservation fee.  Our agent will recommend you do this.

Paying a reservation fee to us will allow you, the buyer, to reserve a property for a period of time – in this case xxx days – so that your solicitor can carry out the necessary due diligence and exchange contracts. However, due to popular demand and the desire of so many buyers who are keen to reserve a specific apartment, it has been necessary to accept reservation fees some time before the completion of the development.  We will therefore need to be flexible about refunds and this will be reflected in the written agreement setting out the terms of the reservation.  
 
If you fail to exchange contracts within the time period specified when it becomes necessary to proceed with your purchase (because the development is nearing completion) if you then decide that The Wool House is not for you, whether you will be entitled to the return of your fee will depend on the terms of the reservation agreement.  Our agent will talk through the details with you at the time you pay your reservation fee.
 
To protect your interests, you should always ask your solicitor to review any agreement before you enter into it and pay the reservation fee.  Our agent will recommend you do this.

We are anticipating that The Wool House will complete towards the end of April/early May 2024, which is of course dependent on the weather and materials supplies.

No, unlike a housing development where it is common to release areas of completed housing in phases, with an apartment block, all the apartments will be completed together, so a phased sales process is not something that will be possible….

The standard apartment specification can be found in our brochure, which is downloadable from the  website, or by contacting our agent, YoungsRPS on 01434 608980.

Briefly, all kitchens include Bosch integrated appliances including an electric four-zoned hob and extractor hood, a 70/30 fridge freezer, an under counter dishwasher, a Blanco 1.5 stainless steel sink and Blanco Camia chrome mixer tap. Kitchen units are Beckerman Lima and laminate worktops come with an upstand and splashback.  Floors are laid with Karndean laminate flooring in Limed Oak.

Some upgrades are available to off-plan buyers.

Bathrooms, designed by Porcelanosa, feature half-height tiles to walls, a fully-tiled surround to showers, a back-to-wall WC, wall-hung vanity units, Porcelanosa ‘Smart’ thermostatic shower, a Porcelanosa 170 x 70cm ‘Alma’ bath, wall-mounted chrome towel warmer and extractor fan.  Floors are tiled.

Some upgrades are available to off-plan buyers.

All apartments are gas centrally heated with a Combi boiler.
 
There are downlighter spots to the kitchen, hallways and bathrooms with pendant lighting to other areas.
 
Telephone points are located in the living room and The Wool House has fibre-optic Wi-Fi, each apartment benefiting from wired internet access from the main bedroom and living room.
 
In all cases it will be possible to upgrade your kitchen or bathroom or install fitted wardrobes in your bedroom provided your wishes are discussed at the time your reservation is made. Please be aware that any upgrades will only be possible by using our appointed supplier and with our agreed optional choices list.
 
Please ask our agent for more information about the specification and the available upgrades.
 
All specification information is correct at the time of our website going live, but may be subject to change.  Always check with our agent to be sure.

Please refer to Question 9 for more information.

No, they are not included as part of the standard fit out, but an optional extra if buyers wish to have them installed prior to moving in.

Yes, the show apartment opened just before Christmas and is available to view by contacting our agent.  If you are registered with our agent, of if you have registered on the website, you will automatically be advised how to book your personal viewing.

We would recommend you speak to your solicitor about mortgages.  YoungsRPS does have a business relationship with Alnwick Financial Management, because of its location close to its Alnwick office on 31-33 Bondgate Within, Alnwick.  However, we would always recommend that you seek both independent legal and mortgage advice.

Pets will be allowed but cases will be discussed on an individual basis and will ultimately be at the discretion of our management company.

There is covered parking beneath the apartment building as well as parking bays within the perimeter of the site.  We are also installing several EV charging points for buyers with electric vehicles.

Parking spaces are not automatically allocated to each apartment.  They must be bought under a separate agreement by speaking to our agent at the time your reservation is made.

There are two garden areas – one garden is communal; the other is not.  The smaller of the two garden areas is only accessible through one of the emergency exits for the building and from some of the apartments at ground floor level. The communal garden area will include walkways, areas planted with hardy, fragrant plants and bushes and we have included in the design, some private corners for chatting to your friends. There will also be some seating.

Anyone who is a resident/owner at The Wool House can enjoy the garden with friends and family as required.  Its maintenance will be included in the monthly management fee you will pay, and it will be wheelchair friendly.

You will require a key fob to enter both the apartment building and/or the landscaped gardens making The Wool House a very safe place, particularly for those who may have mobility problems.

The Wool House has fibre-optic Wi-Fi, each apartment benefiting from wired internet access from the main bedroom and living room.

Brochures are downloadable from our website, or you can call into youngsRPS on Priestpopple where there is a supply.  Alternatively, you can ask for one to be posted to you if you call youngsRPS on 01434 608980.

01434 608980

All windows on the upper floors will open safely and can be cleaned from the inside by the apartment owners.  At the lower level – Gilesgate entrance – a commercial window cleaner (who will be contracted through the building management company) will be responsible for cleaning these large windows.

We envisage the management charge to be between £1,200-£1,500 per annum, which will be payable monthly.

We have appointed Kingston Property Services Ltd to be the building management company.

The management company will have to sign up to a service level agreement as part of the terms of its appointment.  We have appointed Kingston Property Services Ltd who will be fully accountable to the developer and the apartment owners for the standard of upkeep and cleanliness of the building’s communal areas such as corridors, lifts, gardens, garaging, EV points and so on.

Build-Zone will be supplying a 10-year warranty for the apartment building.  If you buy a home benefiting from a Build-Zone warranty, you can be secure in the knowledge that it has undergone a thorough technical audit process

We are committed to providing the highest standard of customer service and we have developed our own way of dealing with any issues that you may have during your buying journey and after you move in. 
 
You will be given a handbook at the time you make your reservation which explains our level of after care in more detail.