New Build mould problem

GeorgePowerFinch

Good afternoon everyone,

My girlfriend moved into her first home in March, although it's new build (converted from office into 2 bedroom ground floor flat) it's lovely and we really enjoy living here, until winter came...

We've noticed in the last few months since the temperature has dropped that the flat became extremely cold, we realised they never sealed any of the outside windows, so there were 1 inch gaps leading straight into the cavity wall so any time we had the heating on it escaped quite quickly, they came and fixed it although they didn't seal the inside of the windows and addressed the rest of our problems as "its not their problem". We've also had a SERIOUS mould problem which they failed to address properly...

We have a 10 warranty but in the first 2 years our warranty company said they don't really cover anything because the builder or developer has to cover us for defects.

Upon speaking to the builders / sellers (same people), they told us our warranty company ICW were happy with their response and told us that they won't do anything about the mould and its all down to lifestyle, the weather has been pretty much non stop rain for the last few weeks so we've been drying our washing in a closed room with either a dehumidifier or with the window ajar for proper ventilation.

We've also discovered we only have one air brick and it appears to be blocked due to shoddy building work and if I'm not mistaken this is against building regs.

Another issue we have is we can't turn the hot water tap on without the tap moving and turning itself off, the sellers told us its out of guarantee so they wont fix it. even though it's to do with how they've fitted and tightened it.

Our dishwasher has also been installed incorrectly and it rubbing against the other kitchen counter top chipping away at the wood. Again, they said there's nothing they can do.

When we first moved in they also didn't install any waste water piped in the kitchen and bathroom which we had to pay for out of our own pockets and they didn't install one of the water pipes correctly which resulted in a massive bathroom floor leak. They replaced it immediately but now they're saying they did it as a gesture of good will!?

I've attached some photos of our issues. Before we send them a letter I just wanted to make sure we're in the right here? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Mould...


Mould...


Incorrectly fitted dishwasher...

Crumble2018

I can tell you from experience that lifestyle has nothing to do with it. You live in a flat - where else are you going to dry your washing??
We have just moved from a rented flat - all of the windows had blown, and the landlord had installed blinds over the air vents on the windows. As a result, we were literally hoovering up pools of water from the windowsill and windows every morning, and constantly battled mould. We have now bought a 10 year old housing association built flat with decent UPVC windows. Our lifestyle hasn't changed, and we suffer with no condensation at all. I'm no expert, but clearly it's not a problem you have to suffer just because you have to dry washing etc.

capital0ne

GeorgePowerFinch wrote: »

We have a 10 warranty but in the first 2 years our warranty company said they don't really cover anything because the builder or developer has to cover us for defects.

These warranties aren't worth the paper they're written on, you ave more consumer rights on a tin of baked beans than any builders/building warranty

katkatmachine

Our bedroom in the flat that we are renting have serious mould problem. It’s en suite so probably the moist from the bathroom is the cause. The other bedroom doesn’t have this problem. Our landlady was kind of though to address the issue, she bought us a dehumidifier. Solved the problem. No more moulds and the clothes that we hang inside the room dry faster. Now everything good.

[Deleted User]

OP says they use a dehumidifier

markin

deannatrois wrote: »

OP says they use a dehumidifier

To dry washing 'sometimes', They may benefit from running it 24/7

benbay001

I also live in a small 1 bed flat.
My dehumidifier is on at least 4 hours per day.
If im drying washing I make sure I wash the clothes as soon as I get up, hang them up as soon as they dry and stick the dehumidifier on full power ASAP.


Reducing damp is a battle of keeping the room warm enough that the water evaporates/ doesn't condense and then removing it from the air.


OP - have you bought a humidity meter? At least then you can see how humid the flat is.
Personally I try to keep mine around 60%.


If you are worried about the electric cost of the dehumidifier, just remember, the waste energy is almost all heat.

GeorgePowerFinch

I'm more referring to the fact that its most likely rising damp because none of the outside windows have been sealed properly and there's a blocked air brick, and the sellers / developers are saying they will not do anything about it. Thats my concern.

Susan20013

What is in the survey you had done before you purchased? Surely it would have highlighted a lot of these issues? If not, then you may have recourse against the surveyor who did the survey.

G_M

GeorgePowerFinch wrote: »

I'm more referring to the fact that its most likely rising damp because none of the outside windows have been sealed properly and there's a blocked air brick, and the sellers / developers are saying they will not do anything about it. Thats my concern.

Rising damp is at ground level - the clue is in the name!

But if there are poorly installed windows and the builder is refusing to remedy it, you'll need an independant surveyor't report on the windows. Then you can force them, via the courts if necessary.

Air brick blocked? You could complain but easier to simply unblock it! Learning a few basic DIY skills is essential as a home-owner.

RelievedSheff

If the developers are not forth coming at fixing the problems then sort some of them out yourself.

The tap and dishwasher dont sound like difficult problems to solve. Sealing the windows is easy enough and unblocking an air brick should be easy enough.

Whilst it would be nice if the developers did this as a homeowner you do have to take some responsibility for your home as well and be proactive in reducing any further damage to the property.

Leaving the condensation problem will cause further problems if you are not careful.

I would leave the window fully open in the room you are drying clothes in to get as much air moving around it as possible.

We opted to get a washer dryer for our new build (no room for separate washer and dryer so had to get a combined unit) which has taken away any excess moisture problem.