Builders Mess

Conifers37

Hi,

For the last year we have had builders next door building 13 houses. The noise and dust is now wearing a bit thin. They start at 7.30am and finish at 4.30pm 5 days a week and sometimes on saturdays. Over the last few weeks the dust has been really bad. Everything indoors is covered. Every time I go out in the car it has a thick film of grime on it. My windows are the same and all the children toys in the garden are the same. They are expected to finish building this autumn. we shall wait and see???

What I would like to know is if we can get any compensation for the disruption and dirt we have been caused. Also, if we can where would we go for this.

I would be grateful for any advice you can give.

Doozergirl

You can't claim compensation

There's dirt everywhere, it's not exclusive to building sites.

maninthestreet

You'll have the last laugh - they won't be able to sell the houses due to the credit crunch.

clutton_2

why not just talk to the site manager and see if he can provide someone to clean your house for you - instead of immediately leaping onto the "Compo" bandwagon

guppy

Contact the environmental enforcement people at your local council.

They have a responsibility to deal with this under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

http://www.lbhf.gov.uk/Directory/Environment_and_Planning/Pollution/Pollution_control_-_noise/27426_Construction_site_noise_and_dust_pollution.asp

The builders may also be in breach of the planning permission granted, depending on the conditions attached to it.

They should be taking steps to mitigate the dust problem, e.g. by spraying down with water.

Finally, although I completely agree negotiation is best, you could in theory sue over the damage caused by the dust to your property, have a look at:

http://webjcli.ncl.ac.uk/1997/issue3/hedley3b.html

Getting them to clean the house would be a much better solution though!