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Author Topic: A place to start  (Read 8504 times)

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daysinthesun

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A place to start
« on: May 17, 2016, 08:14:15 am »
I'm getting to the point where the builders of my new home clearly feel that they have done enough, and have said "go via NHBC" - even for things which clearly just haven't been done, like missing vent covers and unfinished painting.  Two initial questions:

Am I forced to use NHBC, or can I sue them?

If the NHBC doesn't cover an item (say, the vent covers) presumably that means that the only thing I can do is sue them?

Thanks for any thoughts.


New Home Expert

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Re: A place to start
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2016, 09:36:16 am »
First of all who is the housebuilder? 
The whole purpose of this forum is to provide information resource to others and warn potential buyers of the pitfalls of buying from certain house builders.

House builders are supposed to provide a full warranty for the first two years.
However, most pick and choose what snags and defects they are prepared to do (easy cheap fixes) and fight tooth and nail against anything that will be expensive in cost and time.
Just telling you to go to the NHBC isn't good enough!

The NHBC spent £26.2million on claims made during the first tow years out of a total £87 spent on sorting out defects with new homes in the year to April 2015.  Clearly many house builders are not fulfilling their warranty obligations.

You should make a claim under your warranty with the NHBC as your builder is failing to rectify obvious defects with your home, even though it appears many are minor snagging items probably not specifically covered by the actual warranty.  I suspect the house builder has now left the site as it would be easy for the site manager to deal with these.

You can take legal action against a house builder, but it will be costly and is probably not worth it for minor snagging works. Housebuilders know this and have deep pockets for legal fees.

I have been campaigning for a New Homes Ombudsman and I am hopeful a service will be set up in the next 12 to 18 months.  In the meantime you are stuck with the builders' Consumer Code for Home Builders which you should have been given a copy of! You can make a claim using the Adjudication scheme as they have breached the customer service and complaints procedure requirements. Be aware that it does not cover warranty issues! Maximum inconvenience payment is £250 and be sure to also claim for the registration fee.
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