Crappy Wimpey homes UPDATE on the UPDATE

[Yorkshireman]

My problem isn't listed as a subject but thanks.

[meeee]

I have a wimpy home buIlt back in the 60's and it is a quality build. I think like many a company they have tried to reduce costs by producing a lower level of build without reducing the resale value of there properties.

[Yorkshireman]

It will only get worse,i was talking to an acoustics engineer and they said the Government are trying to reduce the level of noise transference allowed to build more affordable homes.

[Perpetua]

Jul 7, 2013 10:59:07 GMT Yorkshireman said:

It will only get worse,i was talking to an acoustics engineer and they said the Government are trying to reduce the level of noise transference allowed to build more affordable homes.

And it's so very, very wrong . . . and not the type of Government policy making that tends to grab the headlines, regrettably.

I'm on our local Council ( voluntary position ) and all planning applications large or small in our parish go through the Council, as Permitted Development Rights have been recinded for our area.

There are numerous Planning Applications that we object to on very good grounds, be that for Mobile Phone Masts, Wind Turbines or Housing Developments where the lack of adequate parking provision, insufficient sound proofing are our common objections.

None of our arguments or concerns are ever listened to it seems as everything gets passed in it's original form  . . . these so say affordable developments are just storing problems for the future with the short cuts on design they take.

[Yorkshireman]

Perpetua would you know if the council gets involved in situations like mine with a private developer as i have mailed them and they have not replied

[Jen]

Had a quick google - have you seen these?

www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/archive/index.php/t-25879.html
www.problemneighbours.co.uk/noisy-flat-above-there-anything-we-can-do.html
www.propertylawuk.net/neighbouringnoises.html
www.avforums.com/forums/room-acoustics-audio-video-calibration/1166653-poor-sound-proofing.html

The news might not be all that good, I'm afraid

[JimmyJ]

They should've stuck to making burgers imo

[Greigster]

Have you checked your building and contents insurance to see if you have legal expenses cover? Some policies include it and some dont. Also check if you have an upgraded bank account and car insurance as these also often include legal cover.

[Perpetua]

Jul 8, 2013 8:44:12 GMT Yorkshireman said:

Perpetua would you know if the council gets involved in situations like mine with a private developer as i have mailed them and they have not replied

Only if the developer had broken any conditions/specifications of the Planning Permission they were originally given Yorkshireman and I'd presume that the buildings were inspected and passed at various stages of the development by them.

If you could get hold of the original plans where the type of materials used should be specified and then prove that something other than those were, then you might have a case to take to your Local Authority . . . as they would be in breach of their Planning Permission.

[Yorkshireman]

I contacted the management co and i am shocked at the reply,Wimpeys knew of a defect,this must change things.Here is the reply i got.

The noise transmission seems to be a build defect and is not therefore covered by the buildings insurance. We had similar problems on another block which failed a noise transmission test but the works to remedy the problem proposed by the NHBC/Taylor Wimpey involved building stud walls within the apartments and another layer of plasterboard thus reducing the size of the apartments. There was however no other way short of demolishing and rebuilding the block which the NHBC refused to contemplate. The owner eventually decided not to have the work done and accepted compensation from the builder. The sums involved were relatively small.Noise transmission is a problem on many blocks and the most effective way of reducing this is to avoid hard flooring wherever possible and the more soft furnishings the better to absorb the noise.I am sorry not to be able to give you better news but unfortunately this is the situation

[Jen]

Ouch! Definitely get back onto Wimpey then - they would seem to be liable.

[Yorkshireman]

I am awaiting a reply from them

[Perpetua]

I wonder if this ' build defect ' would be of any interest to your Local Authority as well Yorkshireman, the Planning Enforcement Office will be the department to contact for advice.

Our LA also have a ' Noise Nusiance ' team, who will come out and access the level of noise disruption a neighbour may knowingly or unknowingly inflict on others, maybe this could be worth looking into as well?

Really hope this might be a much needed break for you.

[Yorkshireman]

Thanks i hope so too,as yet they have not yet replied.

[Perpetua]

. . . keep us posted won't you Yorkshireman.