Queensland Family in Rochedale Housing Dispute

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A Queensland family is at risk of losing $45,000 from their home deposit following the termination of a townhouse contract by property developer Kinslake.

Daniel McInnes and his partner Anisha Thapa had secured an off-the-plan purchase for a four-bedroom townhouse in Rochedale, Brisbane. The couple had paid a $75,000 deposit for the home as part of a housing development project by Kinslake, a related entity of the Kinstone Group.

However, the contract was terminated by the developer, reportedly due to delays in the project’s progress. Mr McInnes, a 48-year-old father of two, later took to social media to form a group to connect with other buyers affected by the same development. He claims that at least 81 other individuals had paid deposits for properties within the same project.

Initially, Kinslake had agreed to return the full $75,000 deposit along with $5,000 in interest. Mr McInnes said that the funds were intended to be paid into a nominated trust account. However, only $30,000 was reportedly returned, leaving $45,000 outstanding.

According to Mr McInnes, communication with the developer has become increasingly difficult. “We’ve tried to follow up multiple times, but we haven’t been able to get a clear answer about when or if the rest of the money will be returned,” he stated.

The Rochedale townhouse development had attracted dozens of first-home buyers and investors when it was first marketed. Some buyers allege they were not adequately informed about potential delays or risks before placing their deposits.

The Kinstone Group, one of Queensland’s well-known residential developers, has been involved in multiple large-scale property projects. The company has not yet publicly commented on the specific details of the Rochedale dispute. However, buyers are reportedly considering legal options should the remaining deposit funds not be returned.

Consumer protection bodies in Queensland have advised affected buyers to seek legal advice and to lodge complaints with the Office of Fair Trading if they believe the terms of their contracts have been violated.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns within Queensland’s property sector regarding off-the-plan contracts, buyer protections, and developer obligations. Legal experts note that while such contracts are common, they carry risks that buyers should be made aware of at the time of signing.

For now, Mr. McInnes and others await a resolution, with significant personal funds still in limbo.