New Build - Things broken, Do I have to pay to repair?

npmaster

Hi, I brought my flat back in Auguest (2018). In the last couple of days, the toilet flush has broken and I noticed the flooring separating from the skirting board in a couple of the rooms.  (about a centimetre gap)



My question is: Since this is a new build and I haven't had the property for more than 2 years. I am responsible for the repairs or is this still the responsibility for the property developer?

Thanks for any advice.

dj1471

Depends how long the warranty was. Though they both seem like minor issues that can be DIY’d.

Le_Kirk

Do you have any sort of guarantee (NHBC or similar)?  If so, that is the place to start, read the contract and small print and then read the very small print.  Warning; they will try to fob you off.  Sometimes you can get better service from the suppliers or manufacturers of individual items.  As an example, when the toilet seat (soft-close) failed in my daughter's new build flat, the guarantee supplier (NHBC - I think) ran a mile but I contacted the manufacturer  (Armitage shanks from memory, no Ideal Standard (just found the e-mail trail!) and they said, oh there is a five year guarantee on those and sent spare parts to my daughter next day.  All she had to do was find, copy and send to them the NHBC guarantee certificate.

FreeBear

You shouldn't be getting any gaps appearing between the skirting boards & floor - Either the skirting board is warping & moving because of humidity/temperature or it was poorly seasoned timber when installed. The other option is the floor has settled, in which case, it needs monitoring to see if it is an indication of a structural issue.

Any flats below, and do they have cracks in the plaster in that side of the building ?

npmaster

Thanks for the replies, 

dj1471 said:

Depends how long the warranty was. Though they both seem like minor issues that can be DIY’d.

The flush is built into a sealed marble unit. I don't have a way to get to what is broken without getting tools to remove the marble, then it would be broken as well.

Le_Kirk said:

Do you have any sort of guarantee (NHBC or similar)?  If so, that is the place to start, read the contract and small print and then read the very small print.  Warning; they will try to fob you off.  Sometimes you can get better service from the suppliers or manufacturers of individual items.  As an example, when the toilet seat (soft-close) failed in my daughter's new build flat, the guarantee supplier (NHBC - I think) ran a mile but I contacted the manufacturer  (Armitage shanks from memory, no Ideal Standard (just found the e-mail trail!) and they said, oh there is a five year guarantee on those and sent spare parts to my daughter next day.  All she had to do was find, copy and send to them the NHBC guarantee certificate.

I do have a NHBC but I must admit I have never read the document. It is rather long. I will have a look at it

FreeBear said:

You shouldn't be getting any gaps appearing between the skirting boards & floor - Either the skirting board is warping & moving because of humidity/temperature or it was poorly seasoned timber when installed. The other option is the floor has settled, in which case, it needs monitoring to see if it is an indication of a structural issue.

Any flats below, and do they have cracks in the plaster in that side of the building ?

There are no flat below, I am the ground floor flat. The plaster above gaps hasn't got any cracks. But I found multiple of these gaps in different rooms.

Silvertabby

There must be a way of accessing the toilet tank without damaging the marble - it's sop to have to change the float/washer/push button at some point.  

Have you tried asking your neighbours ( from 2 metres, of course) if they have had to access their tanks?

TELLIT01

You may find the marble top is secured with silicone sealant.  If it is you should be able to use a Stanley knife blade to loosen and lift it off.  If you are concerned about trying to remove it, contact the developer for advice.

RelievedSheff

If the flat is less than two years old then it will still be under the developers warranty. If it is over two years old then it will fall under the NHBC, or similar warranty providers remit. But beware they have a minimum claim value and to be fair neither of the faults you have pointed out will come to the minimum amount. The NHBC warranty is really only to cover major structural faults.

You can try the developer but they will likely say it is wear and tear.