Roof Tiles

EdRob

Just in case anyone has anything to help me...
Bought a house 9 months ago. The house is 12 years old. The next door house is identical. They were self-builds. The owners co-operated in the building and the two houses are virtually identical.
Both houses have the same problem with the roof. They bought cheap Brazillian slates which are failing. They are very thin and are laminating resulting in several slates having come off the roof in the last few months. 

The slates were supplied by the local branch of a well know builders merchant. My neighbour (who built the next door house) has entered a claim with the builders merchant who are dragging their feet.

I visited the builders merchant who said they will consider my claim if i provide them with a receipt. I have contacted the original owner of my house (who is very helpful) but who unfortunately no longer has the receipt as it was destroyed in a flooding incident (don't ask).

Of course it is possible/likely that the builders merchant has a record of the purchase and delivery of the slates, but they need me to provide them with the proof. Proof that i don't have.

Does anyone have any thoughts that might help?

user1977

You don't have any rights to pursue - you don't get the benefit of any warranties (at least, none you've told us about). Up to you to satisfy yourself about the condition of the house before you buy - I don't know what your surveyor told you (if anything) about the roof.

ThumbRemote

The original purchaser of the tiles is the only one who can take action. So you'd have to ask the original housebuilder if they can chase the retailer, which seems unlikely. 

mattyprice4004

I think you’re out of luck here - you have no rights to pursue a claim. 

Aylesbury_Duck

After 12 years and you not being the original purchaser, I can't see you have any rights, so you're relying on goodwill from the merchant.  Your neighbour may not get a positive outcome, even as the original purchaser, unless he has some sort of written warranty which even then, would probably be with the manufacturer rather than the retailer.

TELLIT01

I haven't bought a house for many years but I'm aware that any disputes with neighbours have to be declared.  Is there any requirement for the vendor to advise of any known faults/problems with the property?  If so, and the tile problem was present at the time of sale, you may have a claim against the vendor.

Note -  I'm asking, not suggesting there is any such requirement.

user1977

TELLIT01 said:

Is there any requirement for the vendor to advise of any known faults/problems with the property?  

No, there is no such general requirement. That's what your survey is for.

EdRob

Thanks for the comments.
The slates did come with a warranty although i dont have a copy.

Aylesbury_Duck

EdRob said:

Thanks for the comments.
The slates did come with a warranty although i dont have a copy.

can you take a look at your neighbour's warranty paperwork?  you'll at least then know how long the warranty is for, who it's with, whether it's transferable and whether proof of purchase is needed.  It's a very long shot, but at least you can satisfy yourself that you've tried all avenues.

TELLIT01

user1977 said:

TELLIT01 said:

Is there any requirement for the vendor to advise of any known faults/problems with the property?  

No, there is no such general requirement. That's what your survey is for.

Thanks.  As I said, it's a long time since we bought (1988) and I was aware that more information did now need to be provide by the vendor, but not specifically what.