How a Couple's David Wilson Home in Devon Became a Disaster

Dayle Dixon and Mark Lee, a couple who once believed they had secured their forever home, are now living a nightmare. Their new-build house on the outskirts of Ivybridge in Devon, purchased from Barratt Developments subsidiary David Wilson Homes, has been valued at just £1 due to a litany of defects.

In 2018, Dixon, 53, and Lee, 59, bought their first home for £274,995, partly financed through the government's Help to Buy scheme. The three-bedroom property, with its cream-coloured exterior and spacious driveway, seemed perfect. The then Conservative MP for South West Devon, Gary Streeter, praised the development for its quality and integration into the locale.

However, their optimism was short-lived. The couple noticed a hairline crack in the floor even before moving in, which was just the beginning. After moving in, they faced a broken soil pipe, inadequate damp proofing, water ingress, and other severe issues.

Independent chartered surveyors valued the property at £1 last year, citing extensive defects. The report highlighted inadequate floor screed, window design, and corroding structural beams, recommending stripping the ground floor back to the shell and potentially removing sections of structural walls and floors.

The stress of dealing with these issues has significantly impacted Dixon's health. She has been diagnosed with PTSD, suffers from nightmares, and experiences severe anxiety and physical illness due to the situation. The ongoing struggle has left the couple feeling desperate and unsupported.

Barratt Developments has taken a more optimistic view of the issues in their commissioned reports. However, they have acknowledged some problems, including floor beam damage and recommended remedial action for cracks. Despite this, Dixon and Lee report that the company's engagement has been limited and unhelpful.

The couple is now pursuing legal action in the small claims court over damages incurred during repair attempts. Barratt declined to comment on the case, citing the ongoing legal proceedings.

The couple's experience is not isolated. Others on the estate have faced similar problems, though most are unwilling to speak out due to ongoing legal disputes. Another family, Roberto and his husband in Wiltshire, have reported severe issues with their Barratt home, including inadequate insulation and structural problems. Barratt has accepted the need for repairs but has failed to fully resolve the issues.

Dixon and Lee are now calling for Barratt to buy back their home at its market value if it were in good condition, approximately £350,000. The couple's story highlights the potential pitfalls of new-build homes and underscores the need for developers to take responsibility for their construction standards.

This case serves as a stark warning to prospective buyers of new-build homes. While Barratt boasts a high customer satisfaction rate, the experiences of Dixon, Lee, and others suggest that significant issues can and do arise, leaving homeowners in distress. Buyers must be vigilant and prepared for potential challenges, advocating for their rights and seeking proper redress when things go wrong.

For more detailed information and updates on this story, visit The Guardian's full article here; https://www.theguardian.com/money/article/2024/jul/13/new-build-home-barratt-house