Please help...

[oblong]

I and my family moved into our new house built by a small local developer in mid-december.

Every snag I report is aggressively disputed, many have still not been fixed and I have not heard anything from the developers for weeks now.

Snags include joinery, skirting missing, boxing in not done, tv aerial not working, damp floor, weak inspection covers in drive (one shattered), no sign of OFTEC installation certificate, worries about part p electrical stuff (this might be fine but I have just lost confidence).

We bought the house without kitchen and bathrooms and without final decoration or carpets. We agreed to do these things ourselves, bathrooms are now all done, kitchen not yet.

What can I do?? What is the NHBC? Well, I kind of know what it is but how do I know if we are covered by the NHBC? I have not heard of them in relation to our house, we have a 10 year Zurich guarantee but have been told this only covers the main structure of the building.

Is there any official body I can complain to about our treatment and lack of progress? I just feel that we have no bargaining power now, how can I make them fix the problems? There are a lot of problems, mostly small but holding up other work, e.g. damp floor at french doors means we cannot lay wood flooring.

I am considering starting a blog to keep a journal of our dealings. I am so tired of the stressful arguments, I wish I had the advice of a solicitor or other official regulatory body to help me. I can list other snags if helpful. Is the small claims court my only option?

[Tony]

Dear Oblong,

Sounds like you are not having much fun.

Zurich Building Guarantee is an alternative to the NHBC. This is what it states on their site, so check what policy you have and contact them.

There are two parts to your policy:

1. Developer's Guarantee/Warranty Period (DGP/DWP) Claims.

If you have a Rebuild, Newbuild or Zurich '10' Policy, then the first one or two years respectively of Policy cover are known as the Developer's Guarantee Period (DGP) or Developer's Warranty Period (DWP). Any construction Defects that have caused Physical Damage identified within this period should be reported, in writing, to the Developer. The Developer has an obligation during this period to attend to such Defects and Damage. Zurich Insurance Building Guarantee will only become involved in such issues where the Developer fails to rectify the problems, unjustifiably refuses, or where he declares himself Bankrupt.

Where the Developer fails or refuses to rectify the Defects, we will attempt to mediate between the Homeowner and Developer during the DGP or DWP to help resolve matters. However, the Developer remains responsible. Only where the Developer declares himself Bankrupt are Zurich able to fully take over the handling of a DGP/DWP claim.

They define Pysical Damage as

A material difference in the physical condition of the New Home from its intended physical
condition. For the avoidance of doubt, Physical Damage includes Major Physical Damage.

I hope this helps

Tony

[Tony]

There is no offical body to complain to, but you can make complaint to a consumer organisation such as Which? who can make a super complaint on behalf of consumers, you can write to your MP too. You have very few rights when you buy a new build home.

I can help you with a blog as we also have a blogging site - www.newhomeblogs.co.uk

Getting a professional snagging company to inspect your home would reduce the developers ability to dispute the identified snags.

Tony