Problems with house purchased

kaylajane

Good Afternoon

I hope this is posted in the right place and that someone can help.

We moved into a property in December and since then have had nothing but problems. But the main problem is that it has an extension with a roof lantern. In the survey it was mentioned that the roof was flat and that regular maintenance should keep it going as its only 3yrs old.

A couple of weeks ago after the snow, a leak started to appear in the extension next to the roof lantern. We contacted the builder that built the extension and fitted the roof, and he said that it was carbon fibre and that nothing could go wrong with it, and that it must be the lantern leaking. We contacted the company that fitted the lantern, and they said without seeing it they couldn't guarantee that it was the cause. We took photos (which they requested) emailed them to the company, and they then started to avoid my husbands calls. To get through to someone I had to call and give my maiden name. After a rather pointless back and forth conversation they agreed to send someone out that weekend. Cue saturday and the village idiot arrived, had absolutely no idea what he was looking at, but put some more sealant around the lantern anyway.

Then today, (as I still wasn't willing to accept that there wasn't an issue with the roof) I had an independent roofer come out and have a look, after less then a minute on the roof he had found a crack, in line with the leak, and gave us a few options to fix it, and said that the final option, which he didnt think was worth persuing at the moment (as the original roof is under guarantee) was a new roof.

Now my husband called the builder again, and the builder stated that it had leaked 9 months ago, in the same spot, and told the previous owners to contact the glazing company to get it fixed, but bodge fixed it in the meantime.

I now dont know how to proceed, the previous owners never told us that it had leaked, is there any come back there? Do I get an independent roofer to fix it, then claim from original builder? Do I accept the builders word and persue the glazing company? (I have given up trying to contact them and am going via the double glazing ombudsman, but there as useful as a chocolate teapot)

Sorry for the long post! I am at my wits end and wished we never bought the bloody place.

Thanks

dc197

What questions did you ask about the extension in your buying process? What answers did you see on the seller's property information form? What did your survey say about the extension?

These questions will help work out how much comeback you have with the seller.

Alter_ego

I think you'll have to pay for the fix yourself, it's your house now. Unless any warranties have been transferred to you.

kaylajane

The warranties have been transferred to us. It was the usual property information form, it doesn't ask about leaks, but does ask about floods, we have an issue with a leak in the stairwell of our flat, and listed that under flood, but I supposed some people aren't as open. I dont have an issue with paying for the repairs, I am just unsure how to proceed with the builder/glazer. The builder apparently knew the issue without even coming to see the property, which I did not trust, and somehow today claimed to have "fixed" it in 10mins. I am considering cutting my losses and just paying for a new roof outright, but my husband thinks we should pursue this further as both the lantern and roof are under guarantee for another 20yrs

kaylajane

The survey didn't say much (nothing unusual there) Just commented on the new extension and the age, saying it was in good condition. In regards to questions I asked, I just asked about the guarantees and how long was left on them

xylophone

The warranties have been transferred to us.

You have read them? What exactly is warranted?

kaylajane

Basically any defects or poor fitting of the glazing, and as the extension is a flat roof, then it is against leaks, cracks etc as it is carbon fibre. Its not these that are the issue, it is how to proceed, even if I have to pay for it. Do I just right off the glazers and builder as I cant get a straight answer from either of them and employ an independent roofer or glazer to repair it? But then that would probably invalidate any warranties.

G_M

So there is a roof, which is under warranty, and the roofer is saying it is a problem with the lantern yes?

And there is a lantern which is under warranty, and the lantern company are saying is is a roof problem?

Is that correct?

If so, you need an independant opinion.

Pay a surveyor to inspect and write you an independant report, specifying
a) what the proble is
b) what the solution is

send that to the appropriate person (roof or lantern company) and demand they fix it in line with the recommendation, under the warranty.

Send them the bill from the surveyor.

Meanwhile, before you forget, make a list of every conversation you've had with each company listing

* date
* method (phone, letter etc)
* person you spoke/wrote to
* what you said
* what they said

kaylajane

Thank you G_M, I am looking into surveyors now. I have copies of emails and dates of phone calls and what was said. Fingers crossed this will get us somewhere

maninthestreet

Just how big is this crack in the roof? Is this a felt covered flat roof??

kaylajane

The crack is maybe the size of a 50p, but obviously water will find any way in. The roof is made of carbon fibre