OFT (Office of Fair Trading) Review on House Builders

OFT started a review in 2007 into the home builds, and the UK building industry. However, here we are in 2009, about to start the new year (2010) and I don't see what's change. The new home owner still has the same limited rights. The new home purchase stills FAILS to come under the sale of goods act.

In a Telegraph Article, in 2007 - Questions were also raised about the merit of the inquiry by John White, chairman of Britain's largest housebuilder Persimmon, who said: "I don't understand why this is an OFT matter."

Perhaps the reported news regarding a Persimmon Homes property and the death of a four year old boy would be reason enough, details available from the Telegraph Article - A four-year-old boy was crushed to death when a stone mantelpiece collapsed in his parents' living room, an inquest has heard. A simple 'google' search on Persimmon Homes Complaints and/or Reviews will bring up what I consider to be worrying results.

For me, it's about time legislation was brought in to resolve the issues that new home owners face. The industry code of conduct (which NHBC has been failing to use) was alreay in place on a voluntary scheme by the NHBC, but with no knowledge within the NHBC. Complaints we failing to be addressed by the NHBC. Now they are implementing a compulsory code of conduct, I wonder whether it will have the same issues incorporated, that the NHBC and new builders (we bought from Charles Church, part of the Persimmon Group plc, that includes Persimmon Homes) already utilise to gain an unfair advantage over customers, and to delay and frustrate the home owner regarding the fixing of faults in new homes.

Come on Persimmon Group, Maybe You Can Persuade Charles Church to Honour Warranty

Charles Church still won't fix our leaks, or other reported problems. It's coming up to 4 years soon, and these are faults reported in the first year, many in the first few days of occupation, including the sub standard floor (a common fault with Charles Church Homes).

If your thinking of buying a new or second hand Charles Church home, try to check the upstairs flooring, and be cautious if they use JJI Joists, the semi-engineered type.

Persimmon Homes - What Qualifications Do Staff Need?

Attention to detail does not seem a strong point of Persimmon Homes, nor for that matter Charles Church staff/operatives.

A simple spelling mistake can have big consequences for Persimmon Homes amongst local residents and companies.

Still we await a fix to the many many faults, come on Persimmon Homes

It's about time Persimmon Homes and Charles Church took quality and customer service seriously. The articles one reads describe an unacceptable experience for too many customers. It's about time Charles Church started to honour their warranties without the stress and anxiety we have (and continue) to be made to feel, maybe even try to live up to their bold marketing claims . . . ultimately we feel the customer is the looser, and we have lost more from deciding to purchase a New Home from the Persimmon Group plc than we ever thought possible.

Charles Church & Persimmon Homes, Noisy, Bouncy, Unlevel Floors

Home owner still battling for floor joist fix with Charles Church - home owner talks of cracking sound from floor joists and vibration of flooring (furniture rattles - bouncy floor).

Three and a half years, and even leaks are unresolved in the property . . . one can relate to how unpleasant an experience a new home from Charles Church (part of Persimmon Group) can be.

Of interest is the advice regarding upstairs floor problems, particularly flooring issues when a person is walking on the upstairs floor, and a crack or cracking sounds can be heard by someone underneath. This is usually a very expensive problem to fix, and thus be prepared for a difficult time getting the builder to admit to a problem, and then to actually agree on a proper fix that might solve the problem. Extra nails or screws are unlikely to resolve serious cases, and even extra rows of noggins are not going to fix strength issues with the floor. Look to cross bracing (herringbone bracing struts) as a minimum and or joist sistering/plating to solve the issues properly.

Persimmon Homes and Charles Church Customer Service and Quality

We are still waiting, after many years for the faults to be fixed.

Charles Church customer service keeps making unjustified excuses for unacceptable delays and poor workmanship.

Damp and Mould Can be a Serious Health Issue in a New Home

We suffered from Damp and Mould in our new home, and since realising the cause was a leak, we have stopped using the bathroom. That was over 2 years ago that we realised the connection, but the original mould was discovered over 3 years ago.

The builder in our home, Charles Church, claimed just wiping the mould away would suffice. However, it kept returning. It turned out the leak from a bathroom upstairs, was running on a sloped ceiling (unlevel floors) and then down a wall, which on the far side, was in an under stairs closet. This is where the worst of the mould was found. Less was on the near side of the wall, where the dining room was located. Still the mould should have been dealt with in a professional manner by the builder. We still await the leak to be fixed, then hopefully they might repair the ceilings and walls, and then make sure the mould is properly cleared up.

Come on Charles Church, how hard can it be to build a house in a competent manner.

Persimmon Homes also has press and publicity regarding damp and mould. Other news articles on Persimmon Homes and Mould. Lastly a post asking for advice on damp and mould. On our estate, and other estates I've visited, neighbours & residents were suffering silimalar issues, with similar unsatisfactory consequences.