Buyers 'horrified' by apartment nightmare

MONICA TISCHLER/Fairfax NZ

APARTMENT WRANGLE: Pietta Collins says the columns were a surprise, but the builders said they informed buyers about them.

MONICA TISCHLER/Fairfax NZ

UNWELCOME ADDITION: Two structural pillars were built into the living room and bedroom of the units.

Apartment buyer Pietta Collins says her dream new property turned into a nightmare when she found internal structural pillars that weren't identified on building plans made the flat "uninhabitable".

The Auckland woman and her husband have cancelled their contracts for two one-bedroom units in New Lynn's Merchant Quarter apartment tower, claiming misrepresentation and non-disclosure.

Vendors Tasman Cook said buyers were told about the columns.

The Collinses are waiting to see if Tasman Cook will take them to court on the basis of not accepting their cancellation.

"Our apartments are now not livable, can't be tenanted or sold without a huge loss," Collins said.

"We're stuck, it's just horrible."

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Buyers 'horrified' by apartment nightmare