New Build - Problem after problem

We moved into our new home 5-6 Months ago and we have had many problems. Boiler, Ariel, telephone wiring was all done wrong. When our boiler was on infact it was off, when it was off it was on. They have sorted out a few of these problems, but the boiler still remains a problem. When we moved in, we did not have hot water or heating for a few weeks. Surely all of these things should have been in working order when they handed over the house to us.

Also another problem is the front doors have three glass panels on and we cannot lock our doors from the inside with a key. All we have on the inside of the door is a latch which you turn to lock the door. If anyone was to break one of these glass panels on the door and put their hand through and turn the latch they can get into the house. It's pointless locking the door from the outside, as they can break the panel, stick their arm through turn the latch, the door will be open. The developer admitted that this was a problem after I pointed this out to them; they confirmed it was a design fault. Instead of putting in new locks they have decided to cover the glass panels with opaque film. They have confirmed also that thee doors meet the regulations by NHBC. Surely this cannot be correct. How can you not be able to lock your door from the inside with a key, take the key out at night and go to bed? Who would I need to go to get this checked out?

Also the new development that we are on, the current developer has sold off the plans to another developer and further phases will be done by another developer. Do they not have to let the residents know about this? They have also confirmed that the landscaping which looks nothing like on the brochure will be finished by the new developer, but I am not convinced.

Also the development does not have sufficient drains, when it rains there is a huge build up of water as there is not sufficient drains. As there is a lake nearby this could be dangerous as there may be risk of flooding. I have pointed this out to the developer, but nothing has been done as of yet.

Any advice would be appreciated or any suggestion who I can speak to.

Dear Tony

Many thanks for the information. There is so much to look into and research but there is just no time. They confirmed the other day that the doors meet the regulations by NHBC. But I am not convinced. I want proof. What do I request from them? I have contacted NHBC and have requested the resolution service and have told them about the front door. Another thing I did not mention to you is that the area seems to be a flood risk as there are not sufficient drains around and when there is a down poor, the water really builds up around the Houses. I am concerned as the Houses are surrounded by a lake and it extreme weather conditions there may be a flood. The developer again said that this also meets the regulations etc and passed the NHBC standards. Anyway these two items have been reported to the NHBC and not quite sure what will happen next.

All the other issues, i.e., boiler, crack on the wall, our en-suite extractor fans is making a terrible racket, etc, are pending for the warranty people to come and look at and fix. I will see what they do this time round and also see if the problem with the boiler is fixed as it's been an on going thing for the last 5Months. They are going to change the thermostat and see if that works, as our heating will not come on unless the Thermostat is above 26/27. It's only when you put it up to this level that the boiler clicks and comes on. Let’s see what happens.

Should they not have handed over this house to us, with everything in working order? Is there no such thing as handover check lists showing that, boiler, TV aerial, telephone lines, electrics were checked prior to handover? I cannot find any certificates for the boiler i.e. showing if installed/checked by a corgi registered person

I am currently working on another e-mail to the developer and any tips what to say or what to ask them would be appreciated.

I am also thinking of taking Legal advice, but I am not sure if I would have a leg to stand on. To challenge a big Developer etc. Also the cost etc.

Additionally, they made a big mess of our house while we were on holiday. We just completed and then went on holiday; we decided not to move in until we got back. We left the keys at the Sales office, because a few things needed to be fixed etc while we were away. We got back and went t in to the house, to see that in our main bathroom floor, there was glass on the floor, in the bath. Also they were due to do some work in the loft of which there was all this yellow fluff everywhere. They even entered the main bedroom and there was the yellow fluff on our bed. We called the completion Lady who was surprised to hear what happened and quickly got the on-site cleaners to come and clean our house. She stated that they had no need to go into the bedroom as they were merely just doing work in the loft, i.e. insulation, hence the yellow fluff. Anyway the developer cannot explain what happened and have completely ignored the fact that we had glass on the floor and also all this stuff on our bed as well as a mark on our mattress protector of which we had not even slept on yet. They asked me to forward the receipt to them and they would give us a refund as a goodwill gesture. The only way that this stuff could get on our bed was if someone went on the bed.

So this is our story, we are so fed up with the developer and just don’t know what to do. We have been in the house for 6 Months and have not had a day without feeling cheated and inconvenienced enormously by the developer and really want to take this further, but how is the question.

They have offered no sympathy at all. They just keep on challenging us.

Hello Gemma

A TV Programme!

Yeas I am a first time buyer and the house is not worth more than 1Million.

It's great that you are working on a TV programme regarding these issues.

It has been a nightmare with our house and the Builder always has everything covered when we complain. We have just learned to get on with it, what power does the consumer have against a big developer, i think nothing

It would be good to hear from you again.

Rohana

Hi Gemma

Sorry for dealyu in getting back to you.

I sent you a message to your e-mail (ITV Homes)

Thanks.