Builder/Developer Complaints?

Gazza68

Hi,
Can anyone please advise if there is a forum/section to have builder/developer complaints discussed?
Thank you in advance
Gazza

adr0ck

whats the complaint?

Gazza68

adr0ck wrote: »

whats the complaint?

Shoddy design and construction (possibly flawed) of so called 'luxury apartments' by a reputable developer. It's an apartment development of 10 blocks, with each block made up of either 4 or 6 apartments. Been going on for over a year now, and anybody with a flat above them hears absolutely everything with regards to impact noise (not airborne noise from TVs, etc), but walking, vacumming, and so on - and its not deliberate, but day-to-day living. Even when the above flats washing machine is on spin cycle the below flat shakes and vibrates (to such an extend that you'd think there was minor earthquake / tremor). Pictures on the wall fall off, they need constant adjusting to level, cupboards doors and doors rattle....I could go on! Did an unofficial survey on the estate with other residents, and 76% of the respondants all have similar experiences. But of course the developer denies any problem, and lodged a claim with the NHBC as my last letter to the Managing Director of the developer 'fell on deaf ears'. The NHBC had instructed the developer to carry out sound insulation tests, but guess what - after 6 weeks of waiting for that to happen, the developer merely sent the NHBC results of sound tests carried out on another apartment (as part of the regulatory requirement).
The NHBC has since re-submitted another letter to the developer to insist that sounds insulation and impact tests be carried out as discussed and agreed on per the resolution reached.
What would happen next if the developer still refused? Has anybody had similar experiences....?
Thanks again
Gazza

clutton_2

contact the local authority building regs and see if sound tests were carried out during the construction

otherwise - class action in court maybe ....

Gazza68

clutton wrote: »

contact the local authority building regs and see if sound tests were carried out during the construction

otherwise - class action in court maybe ....

Yeah..already tried that route too. They reckon, as the building certification was already issued, there is absolutely nothing they can do - their hands are tied!
Not sure though if sound tests were a requirement then, at that stage of the approval/building process - but either way the go ahead for the development was approved.... constantly hit a brick wall, which it makes me more determined to pursue the matter! Court case is really the last option, one which I reluctantly want to take.....
Guess if the NHBC fail, I can always continue in the media - watchdog, and the likes?
Thanks for the suggestion though
Cheers
Gazza

classybird_2

Hi Gazza68,

You might find these websites useful:

http://www.snagging.info/forum/

http://www.brickkickers.co.uk/snagging_buildersl.php

http://www.snagging.org/

Hope you manage to get it all sorted.

adr0ck

gazza first thing is it sounds like the NHBC is on the case

2nd approach building control and find out when the plans passed building control (not planning - that would have been earlier)- this will tell you what standards the building should have been built to

flats should have been built to approved document E - link here

http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/professionals/en/4000000000263.html

it lists the standards the property should be built to for both airborne sound and impact sound

the developer would of had to build to what are called robust details and then would of had to carry out pre-completion testing on one block of flats to see that it complies with this standard

obviously this was done and passed - therefore building control would have passed your block without actually carrying out any tests on it

therefore i'm not sure if you can do anything via building control

NHBC have their own standards which are very similar to the building regulations

this will be where your NHBC warranty comes in

the NHBC may 'force' the developer to carry out remedial works if the new sound tests on your block show that it does not comply

NHBC would probably be the best course of action

good luck

Gazza68

Gee, thanks everybody for your input - really very much appreciated!
Ii now feels like there might be light at the end of the tunnel, and gives me new hope.
Thanks again everyone
Cheers
Gazza

clutton_2

i dont know how much an independent sound test might cost - but such a report would at least let you know legally where you stand very quickly rather than being batted back and forth twixt NHBC - Council - builder