Persimmon Homes - Subject Access Request

richardw

Perhaps have a good read http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00zkz1k/features/persimmon-house-builders

and http://tony1899.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/catalogue-of-serious-faults-with-new-persimmon-home/

housestar

Well it looks like problems are common. But can we do anything about it?

We've also got warping in the walls, and also had to move into rented accommodation and put all our belongings into storage as the property wasn't ready on time due to a number of issues when we were meant to be moving in.

Considering that this property is meant to be worth nearly quarter of a million pounds, I regret ever making the decision to buy from Persimmon. We want to move.

richardw

Can you redo post 11 for the facts about what the current defects to the house are with the most defective first.

housestar

Current defects, with most defective first would be something along the lines of…

– Water entering at main entrance and laminate floor permanently warped and destroyed

– Windows sinking out of frames and not closing. Told not to open the bedroom window

– Driveway sinking in various sections and collecting pools of water

– No clear property boundary which means that people constantly walk through our property and over a small side garden and plants (our property is on a corner) onto a public footpath. Documentation from Persimmon states "Boundary to public areas to be wall or 1.8m close boarded as on site layout"

– Double garage doors do not fully close, and one is not fully secure

– Massive cracks all down the side of the staircase where you can see through the plasterboard (not just simple shrinkage), and also in the cloakroom ceiling under the staircase

– Warping in walls in a number of rooms

– Kitchen units poorly fitted, misalignments, and damaged

– Exterior paint and render damage after chimney repairs

eddddy

housestar wrote: »

Has anyone had any success in requesting a Subject Access Request from Persimmon Homes?

We have had nothing but serious problems for nearly two years and are considering making a claim against Persimmon Homes.

We would like to gather as much evidence as possible to support our claim, but Persimmon have said that have never had a Subject Access Request and don't keep anything on file, and that all issues with our property are discussed only over the telephone with contractors ??

Hi housestar

I'm not sure that a SAR will help you. That's a route to verifying that personal information held about you is correct.

It sounds more like you need to claim for breach of contract and negligence. For example, missing kitchen units are presumably a breach of contract. Damage by the contractor's scaffolding is presumably negligence.

I believe you have a 2 year warranty with your new-build house, and if so, the warranty forms part of the contract. So if they are not fulfilling their obligations under the warranty, once again they are in breach of contract.

If I were in your position, I would stop trying to discuss this with Persimmon and instruct an RICS Buildings Surveyor to prepare a Snagging Report - and make sure it is submitted to Permisson before the 2 year warranty expires. (Google 'RICS snagging report' or 'RICS snagging list' for details.)

Give Persimmon reasonable opportunity to address the problems. If they don't, then instruct a solicitor and work with the RICS Buildings surveyor to prepare a claim. The claim should cover the cost of you (or the buildings surveyor) getting a reputable builder to fix the problems.

housestar

eddddy wrote: »

(Google 'RICS snagging report' or 'RICS snagging list' for details.)

Hi,

I've found a lot of results on Google but is there any sort of certification that these sites should be displaying? And none of them have any costs for the report on their websites.

Would like to make sure that we contact the right one… have you heard of newbuildinspections for example?

eddddy

housestar wrote: »

Hi,

I've found a lot of results on Google but is there any sort of certification that these sites should be displaying? And none of them have any costs for the report on their websites.

Would like to make sure that we contact the right one… have you heard of newbuildinspections for example?

Hi housestar

In my opinion, the main thing to look for is RICS membership. RICS = Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors.

RICS members have to abide by the Institute's laws and regulations, and can get struck off if they don't. Courts will respect the opinion of RICS members.

Just phone any RICS member company, explain that you need a snagging survey before your 2 year warranty ends. I expect they will be able to give you an instant fixed price quote. Get a few quotes for comparison.

Edit to add: look for a firm near you. Explain that you are not an expert in this type of thing, and you're not sure how to move things forward. If some of the surveyors/firms are more friendly and helpful in explaining, go with one of them. (If they sound unhelpful, avaoid them.)

Don't necessarily go for the cheapest - as they may run a 'conveyor belt' service - doing each survey as quickly and cheaply as possible. It may be worth paying a bit more for a surveyor who will take time to explain stuff and answer your questions.

Georgesmum79

an I ask where in the country you are? I think that all developers actually use contractors and labourers to carry out the work, and it is only the site manager and sales staff who actually work for the developer. This was the case when I bought my Crest house, and the new CC house I am buying. The quality very much depends on who good and 'proud' the site manager is. It sounds like yours has been really shocking!

RAS

Georgesmum

Any more supportive comments on Churchs?

Georgesmum79

Hi,
If this is meant as a dig at my expense, the go right ahead. I just don't quite get it; I don't build these houses, whatever their issues are, they are not my fault, yet I feel rather like I am under attack. Btw. I also drive a Kia, and love the car, so please do have a go at me if you have had issues with these cars. Oh, and Sainsbury's: love it! But if they do anything wrong , please do dump it all on me!

I do not understand why it is so hard to accept that someone might be quite happy with their experience of a company. Considering that several of my work colleagues already live in the development and all are very happy, I would have to be quite unlucky to buy the duff house. I am truly horrified by the issues in OP's house, and simply wanted to add the all developers seem to use contractors so it is not fair to say that this developer is the only one who does so.