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Author Topic: "Changing standards as we go along to protect the interests of the developers"  (Read 32489 times)

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TaylorWimpeyDidThis

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Rather than rant, I'll let the letters do the talking.

My complaint to the NHBC.
NHBC response.

If anyone ever had any doubts about the integrity and impartiality of the NHBC here's all the evidence you need.

The messages to take away from this experience;

1. The NHBC can change the reasons for their refusal to cover defects at any time they see fit and when you correctly prove them wrong, they will simply offer up a different interpretation of their own guidance.

2. They are not responsible should their inspectors fail to notice serious material defects despite all of the defects being included in their standard list of items to be inspected.

3. According to the NHBC there is such a thing as "the wrong type of wind driven rain"

4. It is patently clear that the NHBC is doing nothing to raise standards to protect homeowners. When presented with evidence about failures across an entire development, including those relating to Gas and Electrical safety, it has closed ranks with TaylorWimpey and done everything it can to avoid taking action or responsibility.

5. Without a true independent building inspection body for the UK Housebuilding Industry, homebuyers will continue to be ripped off and lulled into a false sense of security, compounded by mis-selling and false marketing by both the NHBC and the developers.

6. The NHBC has yet to answer the burning question: How was this property approved by their inspector when, to date, it has needed 43 days of work involving 16 different subcontracting companies, requiring the owners to deal directly with over 60 different people in order to get the property up to the standard that the NHBC signed to say it was at the point of handover?

7. Until Taylor Wimpey's recent admission that the property should not have been handed over this was their stance: "We are sorry to hear that [these buyers] are unhappy with their new home, which like all of our properties has been constructed to the highest standard, and inspected and approved by the independent National House Building Council" - So it seems that Taylor Wimpey's position is to blame the NHBC and the NHBC's position is to blame the developer. How can this be right?

For those new to this story: If you are thinking about buying a new home from Taylor Wimpey read this first!

It is saddening to see people working for these companies being fully aware of their own morally corrupt business practices driven by greed.


New Home Expert

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It seems strange to me that the NHBC always fill up the first page of their reply to a complaint saying what they do, which presumably anyone making a complaint would already be fully ware of. 
Even more strange is the fact that the remainder of the reply in most cases contradicts the NHBC aims and mission statement.

Fobbing off buyers with as many problems as you have had is not evidence of "raising standards" or "protecting the home buyer"!

It is also inconceivable that your home only had one Reportable Item (or at least one that was properly recorded!
New Home Blog - New Home Expert is committed to providing help and advice for people having issues with their new homes and difficulties with house builders as well as helping potential buyers reduce the risk of possible problems if they do buy.

Tim Fee Snagging Inspector

tommyshearing

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The NHBC a claim that they are raising standards in the building industry is a complete joke.
Based on my experience of buying, they don't regarding building regulations for the minimum height above finished ground level for the damp proof course.

I'm now actually looking forward to taking the NHBC to court for signing off my house and then failing to make to house builder put right the DPC on my property.

New Home Expert

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Over the last two years, it is becoming increasingly clear to me that the NHBC needs to take a long hard look at itself.
What it does, what it is supposed to do and what it is clearly not doing.
A good place to start would be an audit of their all their site inspectors to check if:
a) If they are up to the job? and b) if they are, are they carrying out their duties properly?
I for one would be very interested in that report!

What is already clear is that the NHBC is too close to "big housebuilding" to be considered independent.
It is failing many new home buyers over and over again, operating what appears to be a policy of delaying and avoiding settling valid claims and sorting out defects, especially when they are serious and potentially expensive to remedy.

It is high time the house building industry was properly regulated and those regulations enforced using huge fines to house builders that break the rules. 
New home buyers need a New Homes Ombudsman and the sooner the better.
For too long this industry, in its relentless pursuit of profit, has turned a blind eye to buyer's problems whilst at the same time, making the most of a overly generous government, hell-bent on promoting new home ownership at any cost through taxpayer-funded subsidies such as "Help to Buy."
New Home Blog - New Home Expert is committed to providing help and advice for people having issues with their new homes and difficulties with house builders as well as helping potential buyers reduce the risk of possible problems if they do buy.