Leak in new house

misslander69

Please could anyone offer advice on our current situation.

We completed last week and when we entered the new house we discovered a strong smell. It took us several days to locate the source (we havent moved into the house yet). It looks as though, when the sellers disconnected the dishwasher, they did not turn the water completely off. The pipe has been dripping and caused damage to the kitchen cabinet, floor below it and caused damp to the surrounding wall.

This was obviously not present when we viewed the house, and has been caused from a mistake on the sellers part.

Has anyone had a similar experience or know our rights?

We have contacted our solicitor and they have tried to fob us off, however, this would not have been present when we viewed the house and the contract states the house should be left in satisfactory condition when vacating.

Any advice would be greatly received. Thanks in advance.

Cakeguts

Are you saying that the sellers moved out before completion day so it was a few days before you noticed the leak?



Or did you not go into the house on completion day? I can't work out how the leak got so bad over the few hours on completion day when the sellers moved out and you entered the house?

Thrugelmir

That's why you've got insurance.

HampshireH

A minor drip for a few days wouldnt cause significant damage to extent you suggest.

Prolonged it would. You say it wasnt there on viewing.... did you pull the dishwasher out? If not it is very possible its been leaking a while and no one knew

ProDave

I would be surprised if a drip for a few days caused a smell. Not enough time for the water to stagnate.

More likely it is just the uncapped drain end where the washing machine hose plugs on. Either connect your WM or tape over the end until you are ready to do so.

misslander69

Cakeguts wrote: »

Are you saying that the sellers moved out before completion day so it was a few days before you noticed the leak?



Or did you not go into the house on completion day? I can't work out how the leak got so bad over the few hours on completion day when the sellers moved out and you entered the house?

We are not sure when the sellers moved their items, as they were away on holiday for a month. Therefore, the pipe under the sink could have been leaking for over a month.

Also, we are renting and have had to give notice, so we are gradually moving things over as we have a young family. We noticed the smell, but it took a few days to find the source of the problem.

loveka

Like all these things, you just have to mend it and move on.

I have just written on another thread about my vendors running the oil in the tank so dangerously low that the boiler blew up the first day we turned it on. This cost £4700. It has huge ramifications for us, it is a disaster really. But apparently there is nothing we can do. They also left a leak.

Bossypants

You own the house now, so you deal with it, just like you will deal with the myriad of small annoyances that crop up during the course of ownership. One the leak is fixed, the wall will dry out and the smell will dissipate. Worst case you talk to your insurance, but honestly, while annoying, this really doesn't sound like a hugevdeal. Certainly not something to get the lawyers involved with.