Problems with new house

LeroyBoyce

Hello all,

I went to view a house during a deluge and there was rainwater dripping down the stairwell.

I loved the house, so I suggested they knock some money off, or repair the leak.

I received pictures of the repaired roof, and requested a receipt and/or guarantee of the work. A receipt was sent to me.

It has rained since, but this week, with the wind in a certain direction, and the rain particularly heavy, there was a very small leak again.

I contacted the people who carried out the repair and they told me the previous owner didn't pay for a guarantee.

I contacted the estate agent, who contacted the seller. The reply confirmed they didn't pay for a guarantee, I purchased the house for a good price, and there was a survey after the "repair". So, "tough", basically.

Where do I stand? I specifically made these requests when putting in my offer, and during the purchase process, and the seller has not cooperated.

Is there any legal path I can take?

davidmcn

LeroyBoyce wrote: »

Is there any legal path I can take?

No. It would have made more sense to knock money off and get someone to fix it properly, rather than let the sellers bodge it.

G_M

Getting a seller to arrange repairs before the sale is never wise. They have no incentive to get a proper job done.


A guarantee is not required to be paid for. Any work done by any roofer, builder, contractor must be of a satisfactory quality. If a roof leaks shortly after repair, clearly the job was unsatisfactory and the contractor should return, or could be sued, guarantee or not.


Unfortunately, only a party to the contract can enforce this. Since you did not make the contract with the contractor, you cannot enforce - only the seller can. Another reason never to get the seller to arrange the repairs!

Davesnave

What did your surveyor say about the roof when they checked it after the repair?

LeroyBoyce

The survey was a complete waste of time and money. They didn't say anything committal at all

Bossypants

LeroyBoyce wrote: »

The survey was a complete waste of time and money. They didn't say anything committal at all

You should have pressed them on it at the time, then. You were employing them, after all, you had standing to complain if you were dissatisfied with the service provided. You have no similar comeback with the builder, because they weren't working for you.

None of that really matters now, though. The point is that you have no real recourse on this, so just fix the leak properly yourself and get on with the far more important business of enjoying your new house!

davidmcn

To be fair, the only sure-fire way of checking whether a leak has been fixed is either (a) wait for heavy rain, or (b) send somebody up to the roof with a hosepipe. I wouldn't expect a surveyor to guarantee that it's definitely waterproof.

AdrianC

LeroyBoyce wrote: »

I ... requested a receipt and/or guarantee of the work. A receipt was sent to me.

You requested a receipt OR guarantee, one or the other.
They provided one.
You were happy.

I contacted the people who carried out the repair and they told me the previous owner didn't pay for a guarantee.

Nor did they ever say they were, right?

I contacted the estate agent, who contacted the seller. The reply confirmed they didn't pay for a guarantee, I purchased the house for a good price, and there was a survey after the "repair". So, "tough", basically.

Yup.

Where do I stand?

Probably not under the leak.

I specifically made these requests when putting in my offer, and during the purchase process, and the seller has not cooperated.

They gave you what you asked for, and you were satisfied enough to exchange on that basis.

Your house, your roof, your responsibility to repair.

kinger101

Well, on the bright side, at least you know which roofer not to use.