Sarah Hall and Pete Aspery bought a new-build flat at Queen's Hills in 2008 and have to run dehumidifiers constantly because damp problems.
PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY
“We are totally trapped” - nightmare of young Costessey couple whose new home is riddled with mould
Tom Bristow
Thursday, November 1, 2012
9:20 AM
A couple whose newly-built home has been riddled with mould for four years spoke today of their “nightmare”.
Sarah Hall and her fiancé, Peter Aspery, bought the flat in Queen’s Hills, in Costessey, from Taylor Wimpey in April 2008.
But since moving in they have spent time living in a hotel to escape the damp and now sleep in their living room as their bedroom is too mouldy. Despite builders carrying out work, the problems have persisted.
Ms Hall, who works for BAE Systems at RAF Marham, said: “We feel totally helpless and at a loss. This was our first new home together, which should have been a pleasant, joyful experience. Instead it has been an absolute nightmare.”
The first damp test was carried out in 2008 and showed the home’s floors did have a problem. Sarah and Peter, both aged 27, moved into the Premier Inn at the Norfolk Showground for three weeks while carpets were replaced and dehumidifiers put in place. Four years later, the dehumidifiers are still on.
Ms Hall said: “We shouldn’t have to live like this in a new build property. We are totally trapped. We can’t sell and we can’t afford to keep pursuing Taylor Wimpey via a solicitor.”
The latest report on the ground floor Woodpecker Court flat from consumer watchdog, the National House-Building Council (NHBC), said the builders need to act by November 9 to get rid of mould on the walls.
Taylor Wimpey said they were working closely with NHBC. No faults had been found with the building’s structure and a broken extractor fan had been fixed.
A spokesman for the developer said: “We will be ensuring any further issues are resolved in accordance with the warranty and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
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7 comments
Also, is Woodpecker court not the same area with a shared car communal car park that is also sinking due to poor foundation contstruction? Regards, Whiley.
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Whiley Boy
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Yet more bad press for the ever neglected Queens Hills development. My heart goes out to this young couple. Regards, Whiley.
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Whiley Boy
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
I had a similar problem some time ago, it was found that a concrete path surrounding the property had been laid in such a way that a dip was formed in the path. Naturally water accumulated in the dip and it was noted on rainy days the water level always rose above the damp course level. The builders suggested putting in a French Drain which is nothing more than a trench filled with pea gravel adjacent to the brickwork, I dont remember the width or depth, the main thing is that the scource of damp was eliminated. A second cause of damp or sweating in the property was found to be caused by old style roofing felt and no ventilation bricks in the end walls, the builder fitted tiles with air vents and the sweating stopped.
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Distant Observer
Monday, November 5, 2012
There used to be a thing called an NHBC warranty. My experiences of that were that everything was done to protect.... the builder. Some things never change. This is a disgrace. Taylor Wimpey are little short of common criminals. Or not short at all.
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Mad Brewer
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Quite common for Taylor Wimpey homes on Queens Hill!! Something really should be done!!
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Anonymous
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Quite common for Taylor Wimpey homes on Queens Hill!! Something really should be done!!
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Anonymous
Thursday, November 1, 2012
"We will be ensuring any further issues are resolved in accordance with the warranty and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”....Hmmm! In other words they will do absolutely nothing for this poor young couple! Once again a big national company thinks it has no moral obligations for its business! Luckily I have read this story and can advise my young daughter and her partner not to consider a Taylor Wimpey property as she is looking to buy on that development! Good luck to the young couple! Maybe BBC Watchdog would be interested as Taylor Wimpey starred on one of their recent programmes to.
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Toby
Thursday, November 1, 2012