Building Fault

[AndrewS]

I have detected some cracking in brickwork of a newly built IP I bought 1 year ago. Also some evidence of damp brickwork.

As this is under builders gaurantee (HIA), who do I contact? The original builder, (to have him potentially deny liability) or someone else?


Regards


AndrewS

 

[MarkB]

Andrew

Unless I am mistaken, then regardless of who the builder is insured with, I think you should go through them as they are, after all, the policyholder (you're a 3rd party beneficiary).

To the best of my knowledge it is only in limited circumstances in which a beneficiary can go straight to the insurer (one of those circumstances is that the insured is no longer alive).

Why would the builder deny liabilty and risk a law suit?

That's why people have insurance - to save them from paying.


EDIT

What I wrote above is true, however I just found out that Builders Warranty Insurance in Australia is now used on a "last resort" basis.

The first, and most plausible remedy, is for the offending builder to rectify the problem (ie. fix it).

END EDIT

MB

 

[rossv]

Hi andrew,

pitt st is pretty much on the money.

but to add to what he said there is some good advice to be had by ringing the dept of fair trading.

This can then be used in your conversation with the builder...

...... eg: but the Dept of fair trading said ........



rossv

 

[AndrewS]

Thanks for both the replies.

I shall indeed apply what you both said.


Regards

AndrewS