A young family's leap onto the property ladder has rapidly descended into a living hell after their brand-new £275,000 home was discovered to be a catalogue of construction failures. Instead of a dream home, Michael and Rebecca found a house riddled with over 150 severe defects, making it completely uninhabitable and unsafe for their two young children.
The couple purchased the three-bedroom property from Persimmon Homes in County Durham, believing they were investing in a secure future. However, their dream quickly shattered during the moving-in process.
A Catalogue of Catastrophic Failures
The list of defects is both staggering and alarming. It includes:
- Major structural and safety issues: A badly fitted roof, incorrectly installed guttering, and faulty brickwork threaten the home's integrity.
- Severe water damage: A improperly sealed shower unit leaked water through the ceiling, causing significant damage to the kitchen below.
- Faulty utilities: The gas meter was incorrectly installed, and the consumer unit (fuse box) was broken, posing serious fire and safety risks.
- Shoddy craftsmanship: The property was plagued with unfinished plastering, poorly hung doors, missing fixtures, and incorrectly fitted windows.
Emotional and Financial Ruin
The emotional toll on the family has been immense. "We've been absolutely broken by it," Michael stated, highlighting the strain of being trapped in a rental property while paying a mortgage for a home they cannot live in. The financial burden is double, and their mental well-being has suffered greatly.
Despite reporting the issues immediately, the family claims the response from Persimmon Homes has been woefully inadequate. They feel their concerns have been dismissed, leaving them in an impossible situation with no resolution in sight.
A Wider Problem for New-Build Buyers?
This case raises serious questions about the quality control and aftercare services provided by major UK housebuilders. The family's experience is a stark warning for other prospective buyers, suggesting that the promise of a 'new build' does not guarantee a problem-free home.
Their story serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the potential risks and immense stress that can come with purchasing a new-build property, and the desperate need for better consumer protection in the housing market.
