Nightmare on Kingsway
Created by blastu2We purchased our “new-build” home from Taylor Wimpey on the development just over a year ago, and it was clearly the biggest mistake of our lives as we continue with this nightmare!
The property was sold to us with a gas leak, and the ground floor was flooded as we were expected to take ownership!
The kitchen was poorly designed and damaged, lumps of mortar regularly fall from the roof along with sharp sections of tile.
The loft-space was constructed with standard nails and not as regulated.
We have no internal wiring for the TV ariel, just the sockets on the walls!
We have wet patches on the wall and puddles on the inside of the windows.
Some sections of floor which are not secured and patches cut-out of many rooms which were simply glued-back after adding more pipework (as the central heating system switched itself on & off whenever it wanted – even when it was completely disconnected)!
Wash basins & pedestals don’t match and are out of line with each other.
The top floor master bathroom is like a Turkish Bath when used due to poor ventilation.
Cracks/large splits in walls.
Doors which will not close as the frames have dropped.
Stair case moves away from the wall and makes a very worrying noise when you place your first foot on the step.
The gas cooker was installed incorrectly and in front of the original gas leak (without even discovering it)! The leak was found by accident when carrying out the refit of the poorly designed kitchen!
The water pressure is extremely poor. If you are having a shower, and a tap is turned on elsewhere in the house, the shower simply stops!
The floors on different levels of the house have excessive movement when walked across.
Tiles on the roof of both the house and garage (in limited areas) do not overlap each other in order to link them. Some just butt together with a gap underneath because they are not a correct match.
When the gas leak was declared by Wales & West Utilties’ Emergency Call-Out Service, they declared the property “Immediately Dangerous” via a formal safety notice which was never issued to ourselves as the owners. The notice was stuffed behind our gas meter (which was also exchanged without our knowledge or supply of final reading of removed meter) only to be discovered some weeks later when we attempted to gain readings which couldn’t be matched-up with previous readings and began an investigation into our accounts as the supplier was equally unaware of the meter being exchanged!
The details of ownership of our home (as declared whilst work was being carried-out to address the defective condition of the kitchen which uncovered the gas leak) was that of the on-site manager for Taylor Wimpey Bristol Ltd and not ourselves as the official owners for over a month at that time.
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May 17th, 2010 at 6:01 pm
Hi blastu2,
I’m very sorry to read your post. Are you now in the process of getting this all fixed by Taylor Wimpey? Has anybody else had these kind of issues with their homes? Or is this a one off on Kingsway?
I bought my Taylor Wimpy Home in June 2008 and have had almost no problems at all, I did have a small patch of plaster which wrinkled and they were out within two weeks and they did a really neat job. These sorts of problems are quite common with new houses so I wasn’t expecting nothing at all.
May 17th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
Yea sounds a nightmare -we had minor probs when moved into a Bloor home approx 3 yrs ago. Dampness behind ‘cloak room’ toilet which on investigation was a nail through some water pipe work. Also a window sill was loose outside and on lifting it up slightly, found to be no sealant at all under sill. Though they fixed these two things, I gave up with them on finishing the tiles in the toilet.
I cant imagine these are one off situations, sounds like poor workmanship from certain contractors.
Good luck
May 17th, 2010 at 10:20 pm
Hi blastu2,
It sounds like you are having lots of problems with your house and it is a shame that this is making you feel like Kingsway is a ‘nightmare’ place to live – hopefully it’s just your house that is the nightmare, not Kingsway itself.
House buying can be problematic, regardless of buying an old or new property.
We moved into our house over 4 years ago and love it in Kingsway. Yes, we had problems with our house, I don’t know anyone that hasn’t, that is the nature of buying a new home. However, we noticed most of these problems before we even took ownership, so with some persistence, got them sorted. Did you not notice these problems with your house in the build-up to taking ownership of you property? It sounds like whoever installed the gas cooker should be struck-off the gas safe register so this never happens again.
I hope things get sorted soon so that you can start enjoying your home in Kingsway like so many of us do.
Good luck.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:31 am
We wish to point-out – that the comment relating to “Nightmare on Kingsway” was not in itself a comment against Kingsway. Sadly, it’s a comment towards those who sold us a very poorly constructed home.
We noted many of the defects, and many were addressed, only to create even more defects due to the manner in-which the original defects were “repaired” only to reappear soon after. We also constantly came up against delays, confusion & errors in having issues addressed.
We are now locked into Legal Action with Taylor Wimpey due to the condition of the house. We have numerous reports compiled which confirm our fears with the property.
I received a personal letter from the managing Director of Taylor Wimpey Bristol Ltd, it was a letter of aggressive insult toward me personally after we reported the serious concerns to all those within Local & Central Government. The letter was then attached within an e-mail by him, sent to ourselves, and equally sent to a large number of others without our consent or knowledge that he was sending his personal letter to ourselves to these individuals. The letter, in it’s hard copy form, was then received almost a week later. The Information Commissioners Office, has confirmed that he had breached our Data Protection.
The property remains in it’s seriously defective condition, and we are in the processes of obtaining a formal inspection/investigation carried-out by Gloucester City Council’s Planning Directorate Officials.
I was present at the Residents Meeting last Friday in order to provide others with the knowledge of these matters. The tension in the room was clear to note as my attendance was previously brought to the attention of those concerned!
May 18th, 2010 at 9:01 am
Clive, you may wish to remove any indication toward’s the “Considerate Constructors Scheme” on-site. I have just spoken with; Mr David Crook (Public Official) of said scheme, and he is very concerned that their sign is being displayed on the development as this development is not covered by their scheme!
I was advised – that their sign’s are removed from previous sites that were registered, and then placed on future sites which are not. Mr Crook, will now make further inquiries regarding being made aware of this concern and arrange for it’s removal without further delay. Mr Crook’s requires those responsible to make themselves known to him before he arranges the removal of any sign’s.
Considerate Constructors Scheme Telephone Number is… 0800 783 1423, Mr David Crook is now investigating this matter.
May 18th, 2010 at 8:15 am
Hi blastu2,
Sorry to hear about the problems you’ve experienced.
At the Residents Association meeting last Friday somebody mentioned to me about a thing called the “Considerate Constructors Scheme” (apparently there’s a notice about it at the end of Wittering Way).
She said that all of the local builders are part of the scheme.
I will be researching the subject and doing a post about it shortly, so please keep an eye out for it.
May 18th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hi blastu2,
Thank you for that information.
I am currently awaiting a call back from CCScheme’s marketing dep’t so I will mention Mr Crook’s involvement and see what they say
I had a call back as promised; the lady who rang me couldn’t find any details of this development. I relayed your message and she said she would speak to David Crook (their Public Liaison Officer) about it.
She did say that it’s possible that one or other of the developers is intending to register this development with the scheme and she said she will let me know if that happens; in which case I will create an article about it.
May 18th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
I too have forwarded all e-mailed communications between ourselves and those within local & central government surrounding this development, and moreover the manner in-which it is operated by those responsible (QUVL) and all developers in order for them to be aware of, and register as a complaint for investigation as a location either registered or intended to be registered with them.
May 18th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
UPDATE:
Things are moving very speedily indeed. I have now been advised directly by Mr David Crook (Considerate Constructors Scheme) that he has spoken with Taylor Wimpey Bristol Ltd and confirmed with them that this development is NOT registered with them.
Taylor Wimpey Bristol Ltd has apologised to Mr Crook, and the signage has been instructed for removal without delay!
May 19th, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Dear blastu2,
You have my every sympathy. We bought a house from Laing Homes on Thatcham Ave’ in Dec 2006. We had so many problems, to name a few: A damaged pipe behind the shower which flooded the hallway and kitchen, external walls that bow outwards, internal walls which were bowed, uneven floors, the list is endless!
After experiencing many problems with the builder we called in an external company called Survey Homes 2000 to create a snagging list of faults. Finally after much stress, lots of tears and countless letters, we moved out of our home for two weeks, whilst the builder re-built most of our walls and gutted the inside of our house.
The whole experience was very upsetting, especially when my young 4 year old saw the builders knocking out our brick walls. However, the builder did complete all the works at their cost, (except the cost of our survey which they refused to refund)! Now almost 21/2 years after the work was completed it’s a distant memory and we’re very happy with our home.
I know of at least 2 other houses where they used Survey Homes 2000, so it might be a good idea to call them for assistance.
Good luck and I hope it all works out for you.
May 19th, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Thank you for your kind supportive comment which is very comforting. We have three reports, soon a fourth! We have an: NHBC Report, New Build Inspections Report (Snagging) and a Gas Safe Register Report. All have indicated considerable defects. The Senior Planning/Building Inspectors of Gloucester City Council will equally be inspecting the house throughout on Friday.
We have gained the support of The Royal Household, via personal letters from; Her Majesty The Queen & TRH The Prince of Wales & Duchess of Cornwall. We have gained their intervention in instructing central government officials to report back to themselves regarding these matters. I have equally been provided with a direct contact within Household in order to maintain up-dated information, and this has been made this afternoon!
May 21st, 2010 at 8:54 am
I have a question: About 6 months after we moved into our house our developer asked us if there was anything wrong with our house and we mentioned a few items, most of which were fixed but a few (such as our front light not working), we were told that we would have to sort out ourselves (with regards to the light, this was apparently because the street light that is outside our house is stopping the light from operating… or something like that)!
But we have now noticed several other problems that have happened, such as the extractor fan in the upstairs bathroom was disconnected and pumping hot steam into our attic, various cracks in the plaster walls and also round some skirting boards, the paint they used to ‘finish’ the walls is very dusty and when rubbing your hand along the wall can leave your hand dusty, etc etc. Basically, various little things!
My question is: How do I go about getting these fixed?
We have a shared-ownership with Gloucester House Authority and I think our developer is Laing(?) Do I create my own snagging list and write to GHA/Laing?
Any help/advice would be great!
May 21st, 2010 at 9:39 am
Hi Emma
I would create your list and your first port of call will be GHA as technically they bought the House from Laing, and they should have been responsible. Somethings are classified as general wear and tear – such as cracking in walls is due to the house drying out and is up to you to fix, however problems with installation such a your extractor fan may be the builders mistake and theirs to fix.
Hope this helps
Barry
May 24th, 2010 at 6:27 am
Barry,
That’s great, thank you!
I’ll have to dig out the B&Q ‘You Can Do It Guide’ and have a go at fixing the walls myself!
Thanks again!
Emma
May 24th, 2010 at 8:20 am
We have been advised; TAYLOR WIMPEY are now being prosecuted by Gloucester City Council for their behaviour on this development!
May 24th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Blastu2,
I also had a prolonged exchange with TP regarding the condition of my house when we moved in.
If you ask Clive for my mail address I would be happy to share my correspondence with TP if it would support your current case.
C
May 25th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Up-Date…
Thankfully, we have now gained the assistance of both our respective local councillors – they will equally attend our home on Thursday afternoon in order to view the alarming conditions of the property, and provide further direction. We have already made a formal request for a meeting with our new Member of Parliament; The Rt. Hon. Richard Graham MP, this was directed by HRH The Prince of Wales.
May 28th, 2010 at 7:48 am
We have alarmingly noted the Orchard of Tree’s opposite the junction-point of Goose Bay Drive, and alongside the newly begun work within the Charles Church Yard – which have been hacked to death over this past week. What was a large area of delightful tree’s is now just a distant memory from their destruction. The only few tree’s remaining are those outer surrounding the orchard. When we viewed the plan’s for the development we were advised that the tree’s would be apart of the development, not anymore!
May 29th, 2010 at 9:59 am
On this Bank Holiday weekend Saturday morning, we have noted construction vehicles springing to life, and the arrival of repeated numbers of large open-backed trucks off-loading rubble.
The Council’s own planning department have confirmed that such work of this kind is NOT permitted, yet they continue to breach thosr regulations each weekend!
June 2nd, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Hi,
I bought house from GHA which they bought from Bloor Homes. It was nightmare when I first moved in.
I have complained to GHA and Bloor about the problems I have, and they can’t be bothered to reply or action it!
I continued to complain after 12 months and they said sorry, the warranty has expired and there’s nothing I can do!
1) Upstair doors won’t shut.
Back garden flooded when heavy rains.
2) Bathroom window flooded after heavy rain.
3) Kitchen extractor fan – tapping noise – wrong type fitted.
4) Car park space small enough for Mini car but not Fiesta or Audi car!
5) Hot water tank relief pressure valve already broken! Plumber put a broken tap back on instead of replacing it; result – lounge ceiling collapsed and flooded the lounge!
6) Hot water tank pipes poorly fitted, causing leaks (same as no 5).
7) Washing machine pipes burst flooding kitchen; caused by damage pipe fitted by plumber!
9) Shower – no pressure, just a drip and even worse if someone turns another tap on.
10) Lounge window small – not correct size in square feet as per planning regulations!
I personally will never ever buy property off either GHA or Bloor again and now seeing others have same problems…
So are these developers cowboys?
We should have indian party with tents dancing around etc!
June 2nd, 2010 at 7:04 pm
Hi,
Have you tried complaining to the NHBC?
Your house warranty should be underwritten by them (or someone similar). They can force the builders to sort it out.
June 3rd, 2010 at 8:35 am
Robin,
We can at least provide you with some assistance in order to gain the help you need if these defects still exist. All the complaints you made to both GHA & Bloor Homes (as long as you kept copies of letters/e-mails) will be registered from the dates in-which they were sent to them; therefore you have the ability to register a complaint with NHBC via their CEO, and they will investigate, and force Bloor Homes to correct the defects if the home was within the 2 year build remit from when you purchased the house, and when you began making your defects known to each party.
The main structure of the house is covered by a 10 year policy with the NHBC.
The CEO’s e-mail address for NHBC is: ifarookhi@nhbc.co.uk
Make yourself heard to him, and request an inspection of the house from the list of defects that you have already registered with GHA & Bloor Homes (as they will only inspect the defects you make them aware of for inspection); the more residents who bring their horrors to the attention of the NHBC, the more we can provide a clear image of the condition of these homes being built on this development by the many developers!
June 14th, 2010 at 8:29 am
Over the weekend, we have encountered an intruder in our rear garden attempting to gain access to our garage in the early hours of the night. Thankfully, we distrubed the yob before he could cause damage or take anything!
Then Saturday night – early hours of Sunday morning, we were disturbed again by a group of drunken yobs smashing-up signs outside the Taylor Wimpey yard, and using some as frisbees’ as they slammed against residents homes/cars.
YES… the police were called, and did attend but the yobs made-off apart from two drunken females staggering around the streets hoping the yobs would return.
June 15th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Hi bu2,
I brought this up yesterday evening at the Police SCT meeting.
It seems that the builders are no longer employing overnight security as they did when the development was first in progress; nowadays the site security finishes at 4pm
I’ve asked Baz to raise this issue with the QUVL to see if pressure can be brought to bear to re-instate overnight security to help prevent this from happening.
June 17th, 2010 at 8:06 am
I don’t know if anyone else had a hand delivered statement posted through their door yesterday from Taylor Wimpey, we did. The statement indicates their desire to increase construction movements within the area beyond their previous movements which raised considerable concern for residents using the same roads/limited pathways. The increase will begin as of this week, and up to: 20/08/10.
Any concerns that arise from this increase should be brought to the attention of our local councillors: Debbie Llewellyn & Fred Wood, along with Andy Birchley (Planning Department) Gloucester City Council.