Huddersfield Father Battles with Faulty David Wilson New Build
A family's two-year battle against a flawed new house has revealed a disturbing tale of broken promises and unfulfilled expectations. Doug Jarrett, a father-of-three and electrician from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has gone public with his struggle to fix 33 separate faults in his new home. Despite assurances from Barratt company David Wilson Homes and Yorkshire Housing, Jarrett's dream home has transformed into a living nightmare.
A Promise Gone Wrong
After working tirelessly during the pandemic to gather the deposit for a new three-bedroom house in the Weavers Chase development, Doug Jarrett believed he had found the perfect home for his family. Promising "stunning" homes built in stone to recreate village life on a picturesque hillside in the Golcar area, the development seemed idyllic.
However, the house that initially appeared too good to be true soon revealed itself as a disastrous investment. Before exchanging contracts, a surveyor identified multiple faults in the property, such as building waste dumped by workmen, a loose manhole cover, a broken loft hatch, dysfunctional central heating, and hazardous electrical sockets.
Despite these alarming findings, the sale proceeded under a shared equity partnership with Yorkshire Housing. The agreement stipulated that the defects would be repaired before the family moved in in March 2021. Yet the house remained in disrepair until October 2021, forcing Jarrett to incur additional mortgage fees.
A Cold Winter and Broken Promises
After finally moving in just after Christmas, Jarrett was dismayed to discover that none of the necessary work had been done. The National House Building Council (NHBC) ordered ten separate repairs by April 2022, but the work has still not been completed.
The family endured a freezing winter with no heating, forcing them to move out and stay with relatives for several weeks. Jarrett equated his experience with buying a cracked TV screen from a store, only to discover its condition upon opening it at home.
Jarrett's despair deepened as scheduled repair appointments were repeatedly missed. "There have been 13 no shows to date," he lamented. Adding to the bitterness, Jarrett expressed feeling treated unfairly due to his ethnicity, pointing out that other homes in the estate, owned by white families, had their problems fixed promptly.
The Response from Developers and Housing Authorities
Barratt Developments Yorkshire West responded with an apology and a commitment to resolving the issues raised. Yorkshire Housing also expressed regret and laid the responsibility on Barratt Homes, noting that the house is still within its defects period.
Despite offers of compensation, Jarrett's frustration continues to grow as the repairs remain unaddressed. "If I am honest, I do not know what is going to happen next. I still do not know when they are going to put this right so nothing has changed," he admitted.
A Cautionary Tale
Doug Jarrett's ordeal paints a cautionary tale for potential home buyers. His once-promising investment has devolved into a draining battle to secure basic living conditions. The case emphasises the importance of rigorous inspections and guarantees, especially when purchasing newly built properties.
In an era where the dream of homeownership remains strong, Jarrett's story is a stark reminder that sometimes, what glitters may not always be gold. It also calls into question the accountability of builders and housing authorities, whose commitment to quality and timely repairs is crucial in turning houses into homes.
