New House

ddavis

Hi all,

I purchased my first house in November (it was a new build).
Part of my contract says that I must contribute towards the maintenance costs of the communal areas. I have no objections to this. We received a bill in march requesting 75 pounds for January - December 06.

Now that I did have a problem with, the communal areas weren't even completed until April 3rd (costs for that were included in purchase price).
I queried it and was told those costs were included in purchase price.

We're now in June. ZERO maintenance has occurred. Yet i'm being threatened for the money. I've requested a breakdown of costs because i'm definitely not paying for anything up to april. I was just wondering what legal standing they have? Yes the contract mentioned costs but surely they have to justify them by actually doing something?

Also, my house had 2 gas leaks. My gas bill was 230 for the past 6 months (2 people, heating almost always off, electric oven!!). Clearly excessive. I've requested that the builders contribute because the costs were incurred as a result of their poor workmanship. Can i do this?

Any advice greatly appreciated.

silvercar

How much gas gas to leak for it to effect your bill?

A water leak increasing your bill I can understand, but gas? You'd have keeled over before the bill arrived if you had a major leak.

clutton_2

if this is a new build development surely there is a residents committee ? if not - form one so that everyone can discuss this.

ddavis

Thanks guys, the bigger leak was outside on the main pipe into the house... The transco guy said each small leak is normally the amount of gas to run a pilot light but can be more depending on usage etc...

Even so, i don't see why i should be paying to run two pilot lights (at best, probably worse) for 6 months because of the builders incompetence...?? It's not the first shoddy bit of pipework, i just had my dad round to fix a leak with the washing machine pipes. Fortunately hes a plumber so I don't have to sit and wait a month for the builders.