Issues with windows on purchases property

williamcroome

Hi,

I bought a property that competed in March. Prior to this I of course had a survey where they rated the windows as Condition 1. The windows were fitted 6 years ago.

Just before completion I had looked at the flat and found that one window appeared to have seized.

On contact with the vendor he said it was covered by warranty and the company would come in to fix it.

This was the eeked out until eventually we completed, at which point we paid £30 to transfer the warranty to our name. 

When the company finally came in they found that all the windows mechanisms were so corroded through neglect that that warranty wouldn't cover them and we are now faced with the prospect and cost of replacing all the windows. 

Is it worth challenging legally the vendor or surveyor? Or this just one of the pitfall of home ownership. 

Thanks for any advice. 

MovingForwards

Your home, your responsibility. 
Look on YouTube, see how to replace faulty parts or get someone in to do it.

Slithery

Just replace the mechanisms?

FreeBear

williamcroome said: When the company finally came in they found that all the windows mechanisms were so corroded through neglect that that warranty wouldn't cover them and we are now faced with the prospect and cost of replacing all the windows.

No. You can get the hinges and locking mechanisms replaced for a lot less than a new window would cost. Surprised the "company" didn't mention this..

By all means, raise it with the surveyor - It is something that he could/should have checked unless you had just gone for a basic survey.

oystercatcher

Sounds like faulty windows to me. They shouldn't be corroding within 6 years of installation. Go back t the warranty. There's no maintenance required for windows don't accept it of they claim neglect, they were rubbish windows!

Keswick1uk

Can I just ask what neglect causes these issues? We have 8 year old windows and I've never done anything to the mechanisms? I've cleaned the glass and wiped down the beading.  But the mechanisms look good as new!

Redwino222

My windows are 16 years old and still in perfect condition.  How on earth do you neglect windows? 

williamcroome

Thanks for your responses. On the point of replacement the company say that the manufacture stopped making that model and don't have any spare parts. The worst affected window are all on a particular side of the flat and it's a seaside location. They state that the hinges should be regularly lubricated and these windows have been left open and water allowed to collect causing the corrosion.

But it sounds from some of the responses above they may be bluffing! 

FreeBear

williamcroome said: On the point of replacement the company say that the manufacture stopped making that model and don't have any spare parts.

Screwfix and others do a range of hinge mechanisms that will fit the majority of windows. It might be a case that the screw holes need to be drilled in a different location, but any competent window fitter/repair man should be able to do that.

Heck, I managed it on a 1970s aluminium framed DG window and I'm not even a window fitter (and the hinges were obsolete).

JJR45

williamcroome said:

Thanks for your responses. On the point of replacement the company say that the manufacture stopped making that model and don't have any spare parts. The worst affected window are all on a particular side of the flat and it's a seaside location. They state that the hinges should be regularly lubricated and these windows have been left open and water allowed to collect causing the corrosion.

But it sounds from some of the responses above they may be bluffing! 

You would have thought if corrosion was a risk (seaside area) they would have used a low corrosive hinge in the first place.

williamcroome

The T&Cs state:
Lubrication To attain optimum performance, it is essential that all hardware is lubricated every 6-12 months (depending on location). For lubrication of hardware etc, use light machine oil (e.g. 3-in-1 lubricant) for moving parts and petroleum jelly where indicated in the product 

Installers are saying as this was not followed the damage is not considered wear and tear and is therefore out of scope of warranty. 
Installation was also done just over 6 years ago so is out of FENSA remit. 
:-(