Homeowners abandoned after developer halts new Modbury builds

Modbury homeowners have pleaded with the government to intervene after their new homes have been left abandoned by the developer.

Homeowners are pleading with the state government to help them after their Modbury homes were left abandoned and unfinished.

The owners had intentions to move-in in the next few weeks however their townhouses have been left without utilities or driveways.

Zara Sanders, an owner one of the two bedroom, two bathroom townhouses, feels “very helpless and frustrated”.

“It’s going onto four years now that I signed up for this and it has been a very long wait,” she told The Advertiser.

“It is hard to get help in this situation. There is not somewhere to go for information to help guide us through this process.

“A lot of response (has) been to get legal help but even that has fallen on deaf ears and still does not hold the developer accountable for finishing the works they set out to do originally.”

Ms Sanders said 14 sets of neighbours have pitched into “constantly researching” to discover how they can get help.

The retail manager said the developer – Matt Sabeti of Sabeti Property Developments Pty Ltd – is holding the project back.

“He says he does not have the funds to complete it,” Ms Sanders said.

Homeowners are calling on the government to help fund their new builds. Picture: 7News

First homebuyer Zara Sanders. Picture: 7NEWS

Mr Sabeti told The Advertiser he does not have the money to complete the work because failed builder Seven Star Construction owes him money.

“We don’t have the funds to finish … we can do the job partially not fully,” he told The Advertiser.

“The matter is between the lawyers.”

The owners and Mr Sabeti have a meeting this week with their respective lawyers to discuss options for the future of the development.

“I don’t know what is going on to be honest,” Mr Sabeti said.

Customers are now pleading with the government to fund the road and utilities in the same way they helped families caught up in the collapse of Felmeri Group at O’Hallaran Hill.

“We really don’t know what will happen … unless the government steps in to help,” Ms Sanders said.

“We would like Matt Sabeti to fulfil his original obligations to the community development. “The government shouldn’t have to step in. He should be held accountable for what he originally signed up for as the developer of the area.”

The government has not committed to financial help but announced intentions to change legislation so other families aren’t faced with the same mess.

“The issue of common infrastructure on community title development is an issue which the government is reviewing,” housing minister Nick Champion said.

Nick Champion said government will review legislation to prevent incidents such as this one occurring again. Picture: Emma Brasier

The developer of the Modbury properties told 7News he cannot continue the development because failed builder Seven Star Construction owes him money. Picture: 7NEWS

Other owners haven’t started the process of finishing their homes as the $150,000 they’ll receive in insurance won’t come close to what it will cost to demolish and rebuild.

“It’s pretty devastating,” owner Dani Mercer said.

“I signed a contract back in February 2021 and just seeing the rotten frame that you’re going to have to build a house around or demolish is really challenging.”

Seven Star Construction had its licence suspended last year by Consumer and Business Affairs after dozens of complaints about substantial delays on builds at Modbury and Plympton.