Yahoo News Residents threaten to leave new £500,000 homes because of “scores of faults” with windows and bins
Residents have threatened to quit a “posh” newly built housing estate because of scores of problems with their properties.
One homeowner says there are 140 issues with her property in the newly created town of Sherford, near Plymouth, Devon.
One resident says they are forced to stare out a window on to a public footpath while using the toilet, while another complained of no frosted glass on bathroom windows beside a road.
Locals say about 50 people want to move out of the houses – worth up to £500,000 each – but claim they have been banned from putting up “For Sale” signs.
Jeff Lyle, who says he’s experienced mould and damp since moving in two years ago, claims he cannot shower or go to the toilet in peace because his window is see-through – and people can see in.
Linden Homes has confirmed he is barred from having a frosted window pane as it goes against the town’s planning code.
The 47-year-old said: “I have got nothing but problems. The window is a big problem. I have got mould in the bathroom and bedroom.
“As quickly as you clean it off, it keeps coming back. It’s just been doing my head in – especially when it seems like they can’t do one thing that you ask for.
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“You try and keep the properties nice, but you ask yourself, is it worth it? It’s affecting everyday life.”
The daughter of another woman said: “Young people are getting themselves into debt to get these properties when they aren’t worth it because they have so many faults with them.
“I know of at least 50 people on this estate who are fed up. Some people have moved, others have been restricted from putting up for sale signs.
“Some of these homes are worth £500,000 – these are meant to be beautiful properties.
“Some people are using their life savings to buy them, only to find out there are snagging issues. And they’re not being sorted out.
“We’re talking about real people, real lives, and they’re being completely ignored.”
One woman said her mum’s health has plummeted since moving into her assisted living flat, which she took on as part of a lease deal with LiveWest.
There were a whopping 140 defects identified when she moved in and many have yet to be rectified, the family claim.
They say the outside bin shed is out of order forcing disabled tenants to walk with their waste out on to the road.
“The first sight of a window cleaner was eight weeks ago, and my mum has been here nearly two years now,” the tenant’s daughter said.
“The windows are inadequate,” she added.
“The wind howls through them and when someone came to take a look they sprayed foam all around the top to try and keep the air in. That was their way of trying to fix it.
“The light outside doesn’t work – my mum is disabled yet has to use a torch to go out at night.
“The step out the front of the flat is wobbly and not fixed down. Moving here has turned into her worst nightmare. She moved here, thinking this would be perfect. Instead there are so many issues.”
In a statement, Linden Homes said: “We can confirm that the timber sash windows have been fitted correctly and they’ve also been inspected and verified by the manufacturer.
“The communal bin shed doors were also fitted correctly but they were redesigned for ease of access and the bin store has been fully accessible throughout. The front and rear lights to the customer’s property are also working.”
The company added: “The procedure for reporting any issues for housing association customers is for them to contact their housing provider, LiveWest, and we then carry out any necessary remedial work.
“We are very proud of the properties we are creating at Sherford and our team is passionate to deliver quality homes as part of the exciting new town.”
