You are here: Home > Defects in your new home
Not just places to live,
but places to love.

Defects in your new home

Understanding Defects in Your New Home

Your home should be built to the highest standard, ensuring safety, functionality, and comfort. However, construction defects can sometimes arise due to poor workmanship, faulty installation, or defective materials.

What Is a Defect?

A defect is a significant issue that affects the quality and function of your home. This may include:

  • Broken or missing components – essential parts of your home that should be present but are not.
  • Faulty systems or equipment – issues like heating or plumbing malfunctions that prevent proper functionality.
  • Structural or material problems – defects that impact the safety or usability of your home.

In essence, a defect is anything that fails to meet the expected standards of a newly built home.

What Is Not Considered a Defect?

Not every issue in a new home qualifies as a defect. Some responsibilities fall under homeowner maintenance, such as:

  • Repressurising a boiler
  • Maintaining your garden

Additionally, defects do not include:

  • Cosmetic flaws not reported at the handover
  • Damage from weather, negligence, or improper maintenance
  • General wear and tear
  • Minor decorative concerns, settlement, and shrinkage cracks

Common defects

Here is a list of common defects with some useful guidance on responsibilities

If there is an issue with the installation and connection of the appliance we can cover this however if the issue is with the appliance itself this will be covered by the warranty.

You are responsible for maintaining and bleeding your radiators. If servicing is up to date and you encounter any issues with your heating system, including your air source heat pump, gas boiler, cylinder or radiators we will be responsible for fixing these.

If you find any damage in the first two days let us know, after this period this is your responsibility.

We will replace doorknobs, handles, etc. unless damage is caused by poor maintenance, conscious damage or wear and tear. If you find any other issues with doors or windows in the first two days let us know, after this period this is your responsibility.

You’ll need to have a reasonable attempt to clear all blockages. And please don’t throw nappies and wet wipes down the toilet or pour chip fat or oil down your kitchen sink. However if you can’t get them clear, let us know.

These are only covered if the problem is reported in the first two days.

If you find something isn’t working in the first two days let us know, after this period this is your responsibility.

We will cover landscaping installed by us including turf but not when damage is caused by a lack of maintenance, weather or seasonal changes, when there are issues with standing water more than 3 metres from your home. We do not cover fences, gates or sheds.

We will repair leaking gutters if the issue arose from installation, they will not be covered if the leak is due to a lack of care and maintenance, storm damage, seasonal changes, and leaves.

We will cover insulation as long as it has not been removed or tampered with, including having boarding installed.

If you find something wrong with kitchen units , toilets, sinks, taps, shower heads or door in the first two days let us know, after this time these are you responsibility.

We will carry out repairs to outside taps unless damage is caused by poor maintenance, weather conditions or seasonal changes (this includes if you haven’t insulated your outside tap during winter).

The defect liability period will cover smoke alarms as long as they are maintained and/or serviced.

We will carry out repairs on solar panels if they were already installed by the developer when you purchased the property. However, they will not be covered when damage is caused by a lack of maintenance, weather conditions or seasonal changes or when they haven’t been serviced and maintained in line with the manufacturer’s recommendations

If you find any cosmetic damage in the first two days let us know, after this period this is your responsibility.

Before Reporting a Defect

Before reaching out to us, we recommend taking the following steps:
- Check your home user guides and manuals to see if the issue can be resolved safely.
- Verify whether local works or supply disruptions may be affecting your water, gas, or electricity.
- Confirm the problem stems from construction quality rather than expected settling or maintenance needs.

Reporting a defect

If your issue qualifies as a defect within the defect liability period, including emergencies, please:
- Submit a report using the form below
- Call our Aftercare Team at 01603 255444, option 2

What Happens Next?

Once reported, our Aftercare Team may ask for additional details on how the issue occurred. To assess urgency and determine the appropriate response, we may request videos or photos.

We're committed to ensuring your home meets the highest standards, and our team is ready to assist with any significant defects efficiently.