Groundgripper
As you say, the aforementioned KB2827031 clearly states
"This problem usually occurs if a second installation of Office was started before the first installation was finished or if you restarted your computer before the current Office installation was finished."
You also state in your post
"I bought a tablet the other week"
Thus I would extrapolate that the OEM factory imaging of said device either did not complete correctly, or the image is a dud.
Try
here for the official Microsoft page relating to downloading a copy of Office OEM to enable you to reinstall.
If that fails, the correct next port of call is the manufacturer of said device, tell them about their dud system image and ask them what they plan to do about it.