Should I get warranty extension due to Covid-19?

ishi

Unfortunately, during Covid-19 lockdown I needed repairs or services under warranty period. The biggie was repairs needed in my new build house.  

Last year I bought a new build house from Barratt homes. The new house comes with 2 yr warranty. In last 2 months I came across various problems in the house like kitchen cupboard door came out or minor leak in shower room etc. I reported the problems to Barratt homes but they told me that they are only dealing with emergency complaints & my reported issues are not into that category, so cannot be fix now.

I understand the situation due to current restrictions & fully agree with them. For time being, we just stop using the things which had problems. 

But at the same time the fact is I didn't got the services during warranty period which I paid for? 

New build houses are usually more expensive than old build in same locality. Many people like me consider the 2 yr warranty was distinct advantage against old build & ready to pay or paid extra money for it. If lockdown stays for 3months, then effectively one get warranty of 1yr 9months for the price of 2yr!

So my query is: Should I get warranty extension(=lockdown period) due to Covid-19?

greatcrested

If the issues arose during the 2 year warranty period (and assuming they are covered by the warranty) then the developer should fix them. Whether he fixes them within the 2 year period or later (eg due to a delay in repair caused by COID-19) makes no difference.

If the issue arises after the two year warranty period, the developer does not need to fix under warranty.

COVID-19 has no impact on this. There's no justification for extending the warranty period.

What matters is the date the issue arose, so as long as you reported it in writing before the 2 year warranty expired you are fine.

lincroft1710

Did you pay for this warranty as a separate item?

davidmcn

I don't see a need to extend the warranty if they will eventually fix the things you've reported within the two years.

ishi

lincroft1710 said:

Did you pay for this warranty as a separate item?

No but I assume that warranty cost should included in the house price. If that's not the case, I expect builder should highlight in their marketing material "Optional 2 yr warranty at the extra cost"

greatcrested

ishi said:

lincroft1710 said:

Did you pay for this warranty as a separate item?

No but I assume that warranty cost should included in the house price. If that's not the case, I expect builder should highlight in their marketing material "Optional 2 yr warranty at the extra cost"

Well I would not assume anthing.

Either you have a warranty, and have the relevant paperwork, or you don't!

ishi

greatcrested said:

If the issues arose during the 2 year warranty period (and assuming they are covered by the warranty) then the developer should fix them. Whether he fixes them within the 2 year period or later (eg due to a delay in repair caused by COID-19) makes no difference.

If the issue arises after the two year warranty period, the developer does not need to fix under warranty.

COVID-19 has no impact on this. There's no justification for extending the warranty period.

What matters is the date the issue arose, so as long as you reported it in writing before the 2 year warranty expired you are fine.

You are looking into the question from developer's view. Covid-19 has impact on the repairs handling. Despite paying the premium price at the time of buying the house, I am living with the problems which I shouldn't do in normal circumstances. Don't you think developer have any responsiblity for it?

If I was planning to buy a new house now,  "warranty with gaps" wouldn't be acceptable to me unless developer will come up with solution.

ishi

greatcrested said:

ishi said:

lincroft1710 said:

Did you pay for this warranty as a separate item?

No but I assume that warranty cost should included in the house price. If that's not the case, I expect builder should highlight in their marketing material "Optional 2 yr warranty at the extra cost"

Well I would not assume anthing.

Either you have a warranty, and have the relevant paperwork, or you don't!

The previous question was about cost, not about warranty validity.
I do have warranty with relevant paperwork. All reported issues comes under the warranty.

Chandler85

If you have reported it and they fix it under the warranty but after 2 years then why exactly do you feel entitled to more.  You are still getting 2 years warranty and someone (not you) is paying to have the issues you reported in the 2 years fixed.

What hardship are currently experiencing from your wonky kitchen door, and a minor leak in a shower.  Probably not much, I am sure the government lock down is more inconvenient.  Maybe they'll give you a bottle of wine to keep you happy if you moan a lot but somethings in life aren't worth it.

greatcrested

ishi said:

greatcrested said:

If the issues arose during the 2 year warranty period (and assuming they are covered by the warranty) then the developer should fix them. Whether he fixes them within the 2 year period or later (eg due to a delay in repair caused by COID-19) makes no difference.

If the issue arises after the two year warranty period, the developer does not need to fix under warranty.

COVID-19 has no impact on this. There's no justification for extending the warranty period.

What matters is the date the issue arose, so as long as you reported it in writing before the 2 year warranty expired you are fine.

You are looking into the question from developer's view. Covid-19 has impact on the repairs handling. Despite paying the premium price at the time of buying the house, I am living with the problems which I shouldn't do in normal circumstances. Don't you think developer have any responsiblity for it?

If I was planning to buy a new house now,  "warranty with gaps" wouldn't be acceptable to me unless developer will come up with solution.

Yes COVID-19 is affecting repairs handling. It is affecting all sorts of businesses which are having to adjust, postpone etc their business activities.

If my boiler, or car, or Playstation breaks down, I wait longer for a repair - and I have a warranties on all of these. That's life under coronavirus.

The developer seems to be

a) attending to emergency complaints and

b) accepting liability for your complaint but delaying the repair

Both the above seem reasonable. You asked

Should I get warranty extension(=lockdown period) due to Covid-19?

and the answer is clearly 'No.

If you had asked

Should the developer fix my problem under warranty?

The answer would be "Yes, in a reasonable timeframe bearing in mind the current circumstances" (and of course, assuming the specific complaint is covered by the warranty.

Actually, what you seem to be asking is

Should I get compensation for having to wait?

to which I reply "Are you one of the new generation of over-entitled spoiled brats who expect compo everytime life throws a minor spanner in your works?"

eddddy

ishi said:

You are looking into the question from developer's view. Covid-19 has impact on the repairs handling. Despite paying the premium price at the time of buying the house, I am living with the problems which I shouldn't do in normal circumstances. Don't you think developer have any responsiblity for it? 

The legal position is roughly as follows:

Assuming the warranty covers the problems - the developer should do the repairs within in a 'reasonable' period (unless your contract says something different).

If they don't, ultimately your options include getting somebody else to fix the problem and claiming the cost from the developer (having first given the developer plenty of opportunity to do it).

But I think your claim would almost certainly end up in a court - and a court might well decide that the developer has been reasonable, given the COVID situation, so you'd lose your claim and end up out of pocket.

ishi said:

If I was planning to buy a new house now,  "warranty with gaps" wouldn't be acceptable to me unless developer will come up with solution.

From what you say, you don't have a "warranty with gaps", you have a 2 year warranty - but the developer is taking a long time to do repairs under warranty