Buyers in Trim estate repaying mortgages despite still waiting on keys to move in to homes

Purchasers of houses in the Charter School Estate in Trim, who paid deposits last year and are still waiting to move in, have expressed their frustration at the delay.

Among the buyers waiting to move in are a small number who actually drew down their mortgages last year and are now paying both rent and mortgage repayments.

Residents understand that the delays are due to issues between the developer and Uisce Éireann regarding water connections.

Cllr Noel French said it was awful that people who had bought homes for themselves were unable to move into them.

He said the councillors had raised their concerns with Uisce Éireann. “I would have concerns about the water supply in Trim. We need to ensure there is an adequate supply for these new developments. Other services such as schools, childcare and doctors are all under pressure,” he said.

One man explained that they first heard that the properties were for sale in 2024 and following viewings in June last year, he and his partner moved quickly, getting mortgage approval, paid their booking deposits and exchanged contracts. The houses now appear to be complete.

“We paid our main deposits. We did everything we were supposed to do. That was almost a year ago now. Other prospective purchasers did the same.

“In an age where Ireland is in the middle of a massive housing crisis, where rent prices are through the roof, we're still sitting here without keys, still paying rent in most cases, and our lives aren't moving forward.

He explained that last December, four buyers were allowed to move into their houses using a temporary water supply.

“The rest of us - we're talking about dozens of families - have been told we can't have temporary water and have to wait for the permanent connection. We've asked repeatedly if more temporary connections could be set up. Irish Water says no. The developer says no. So we wait.

“Two people in our group were told back in December to draw down their mortgages because they'd be moving in imminently. They did. Their mortgages started. But they weren't among the four allowed to move in on temporary water. So for the past five months, these two people have been paying mortgages on houses they can't live in and don't even have keys to.

“We have been told the issue is with the water supply.

Since December, we've been living in a constant cycle of broken promises. In December we were told we would be in the house by Christmas. In January we were told by the end of the month, in February they said it would happen that month, earlier this month we were told we would be in by 11th May but there is still no news. We still have no connection date. It's the same pattern every single week: promises, delays, new promises, more delays.

“The worst part is we get absolutely no proactive communication, no regular updates, no explanations for what's causing each new delay. Every single piece of information we have has come from us ringing and texting and chasing. And honestly, a lot of us dread making those calls now because we know we'll just be told to wait another week.

“We're not asking for special treatment. We just want what we were promised.

“Some of us are paying mortgages on houses we can't access. Help to Buy approvals have expired. People are stuck in rental agreements they've had to extend multiple times. Life is happening (babies being born, kids needing to start school) and we're all in limbo”.

“We've tried everything. We've organised ourselves into a group. We've attended meetings with local representatives. We've been patient beyond what anyone should reasonably expect. But we're now 17 months on from when this started, nearly a year since we paid our deposits, and six months since those first four people moved in. How much longer are we supposed to wait?,” he asked.

The sales agent Aidan Hora said he expected the issue to be resolved in the next few weeks.

“This has been a long running issue where Irish Water were not satisfied with water tests. We now have an agreed protocol to get it resolved. Three sets of water tests have been done. Pending the results coming back, we expect to be able to tell customers in the next few days that it is imminent.”

Uisce Éireann has been approached for comment.