Leaking shower in new build flat. what are my rights?

penyekz

Hi,

we've moved into this new build flat almost a year ago. We've just discovered a leak into our bedroom wall which must be coming from the adjacent shower and a probable leaking shower cubicle.

The leak has caused mould to grow and has also damaged the carpets (which is soaking and mouldy). I know that the builder has given us a 2 year guarantee on the property and this would definately cover the leak and damage to the wall but would it cover the damage carpet? I need to know my rights on this when I ring them tomorrow. any advice?

knuckledragger

penyekz,
as per the 2 year guarantee. It's up to the builder to sort out any problems in the first two years.
Your windows will probably have a ten year guarantee. It's amazing how the handles deteriorate suddenly towards the end of the guarantee. Mine went in the eighth year of occupancy and I had all in the house replaced for free. Very smart they look too, much nicer than those original worn ones...

penyekz

thanks. i was just worried that they may ask me to claim on my home insurance which I don't have!

Ian_W

penyekz wrote: i was just worried that they may ask me to claim on my home insurance which I don't have!

They might well tell you that, tell them you're not going to as it might affect future premiums [that's true]!
Then read Martin's article on contents insurance and get some - might be something you can't claim off another insurance next time! :rolleyes:

socks_uk

penyekz wrote:

i was just worried that they may ask me to claim on my home insurance which I don't have!

Do you mean you don't have contents or buildings insurance, or both?

PLEASE get insured. You never know what might happen. I have just seen a friend's house burn down and water damage has made things worse. Thank goodness for her insurance.

Jill

Swipe

I'd pay and get the work done now. If you don't the problem is only going to get worse and needs doing whoever is going to pay. Make sure you take plenty of photos of the damage first though so you have proof of the problem. Send the house builder an invoice for the cost of the work and if he doesn't pay up get a solicitors letter.

terrierlady

don't panic !! new builds have year's NHBC or Zürich as the norm and developers will honour this, some moan about coming back for snags but on the whole it will be sorted.Time is usually the major problem with customers and getting trades back to repair the fault are sites problem.
Chase up with customer care by telephone also email and keep copies, plus names of who /when you spoke to them.

penyekz

Thanks for the replies. Got it semi-sorted. Builder came round and fixed the leak. Apparently, the silicon seal in the shower cubicle had worn (??!!) after 9 months. He said this was due to shrinkage of the property. The leak has gone through to the bedroom walls and damaged the carpet causing mould. He told me his boss will call me regarding a possible replacement carpet so still waiting. Apparently, there were other flats with a similar problem. Bad workmanship or just bad luck??

I do have buildings insurance but not contents. Good point about photos. I'll be taking some in the morning. On the whole, the builder hasn't been too bad and has sorted out most of my snag list. Its just poor finishing IMO. These guys could do better.