Which is what happened to Dayle Dixon and Mark Lee in Ivybridge, Devon. If their house was in good order it would be worth about £350,000, but with all the faults it's worth no more than a token sum of £1. How distressing is that?
There's an ongoing scandal in the UK of new homes that haven't been properly built because they haven't been properly inspected by local planners and the builders can get away with shoddy workmanship.
This racket has been going on for many years without any serious attempt to put an end to it, which is why Jenny and I have deliberately steered clear of newly-built homes.
Our present home was built in 1949 so any major defects would have been discovered long ago. Buying a newly-built home is always risky because even if it looks fine on first viewing, major defects may only become apparent some time after moving in.
Did this couple ask a surveyor to check out the house? We have usually employed a surveyor to inspect whatever home we're thinking of buying. The second flat we took a chance on because it was a mansion block built in 1900 and looked rock solid from the outside. And so it turned out.
The builder must have known that some of their homes were badly-built and full of faults - maybe even potentially lethal ones like exposed electrical wiring. How can a builder leave a home in that state and just walk away?
Nick, I followed the provided link and read the story of this couple and it is indeed a sad tale of very shoddy workmanship. Like yourself, we have owned a new home, but older ones. They too have needed some work but at least the structures were sound, unlike the one in that article.
ReplyDeleteBeatrice: It seems to be more of a problem in the UK than in the States. Perhaps new homes in the States get proper inspections while they're being built?
DeleteI bought brand new once, and the chimney had to be rebuilt. At least the house builders in my case accepted they had to sort it out, but this poor couple seem to be up against a brick wall in trying to get their issues solved - are all the NHBC guarantees, etc, completely worthless these days.
ReplyDeleteI'd be very cautious if I wanted to buy new again.
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Ms Scarlet: Good that your builders accepted responsibility for the faulty chimney. As you say, all the guarantees and warranties people are offered seem often to be worthless.
DeleteI’ve not heard many issues here regarding newly built, but we were never interested (or could afford) a new home. We like established trees, etc. anyway.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Yes, we prefer an older home in a settled residential neighbourhood.
DeleteThis is the 'newest' house I have owned. It's aged in three sections. The middle is old, I don't know how old. The west end is 1974 and the east end is 1984. There was plenty to do when we bought it, but nothing structural. It would be more than upsetting to find you home coming down around you and no one is held accountable.
ReplyDeleteSandra: If the house was last added to in 1984 then any structural problems would have shown up a long time ago.
DeleteThey do it because they can get away with it. One of mother's neighbours was a retired builder and he was fed up because his son, who had taken over the business, was continually underbid on contracts by firms who took on unskilled workmen...and got away with it.
ReplyDeleteFly: The underbidding trick is very common, I think. And as you say, using unskilled workmen helps to lower the bid.
DeleteI've never lived in a brand new home, but in the states where I've bought homes a professional inspection was required as part of the house buying process. Paid for by the buyer, to be used as a means to renegotiate or back out of the deal.
ReplyDeleteColette: Interesting that in the States a professional inspection is mandatory when buying a property. In the UK it's entirely up to the buyer whether to have a professional survey.
DeleteMy brother is involved in an unbelievable case in NI at the moment, months and months of it. All the houses in estate are falling apart because of the disintegration of the cement used. Massive lawsuits as all the owners are suing government and builders. Brother is an expert witness. Their houses are worthless. You may have read about it. and PS I never bought a new house.
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www: Yes, I know about all the buildings in Donegal that used mica-based concrete, which crumbles after a few years. It's a major scandal. But I didn't know there were any cases in Northern Ireland. Whereabouts is that?
DeleteI view Donegal as being N.I, Maybe it's my IRA sympatico coming out?
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That would be terrible but it doesn't surprise me at all.
ReplyDeleteMy internet is finally fixed and I am making my way through everyone's blog again.
Mary: I guess there have always been dodgy builders, but there seem to be a plague of them right now.
DeleteGREAT TESTIMONY HOW I GOT MY LOAN I have a very important message to share with everyone that is in need of a loan from a genuine lender. I'm happy to share this note with everyone after what my wife and I went through in the hands of some pathetic hoodlums claiming to offer some sort of loans. It's very difficult to get a genuine lender and thanks to Best Loan lender who helped me with the loan, contact them if you are in need of a loan and come back to thank me later. I promise you they will not disappoint you. contact Email: - (pedroloanss@gmail.com WhatsApp +393510140339) Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNazgul William....
I hope everyone is doing well, I have some news to share today.... In the next week I am moving to NOLA and hoping this new journey will put me back into the attitude that change is good. So much to do and not enough time to do it. I am so thankful for all the wonderful people in my life (including Pedro Jerome) a loan lender that support me at all times I am excited and also worried my life has been such a downer for so long that getting out of it has been hard, but I do really feel that this change is going to be the best thing I need right now, and I have hopes that all good things do come to those that wait.
ReplyDeleteI'm thanking a loan lender who helped me with a loan of 1 millions dollars to boost up my business once again at the rate of 2% annual return which is so wonderful, and I would like anyone stuck in financial situation to reach out to Pedro the loan lender on pedroloanss@gmail.com WhatsApp: +393510140339. For loan assistance.
So please keep me in your thoughts, and thanks to this blog I can at least keep in contact with all of you.