Leicester Father Devastated After Plaster Falls into Daughter's Cot Due to Jelson New Build Home Issues

A Leicestershire father, James Dean, experienced a distressing incident when plaster from the wall of his new-build home fell into his two-year-old daughter's cot. This occurrence highlighted serious issues with the construction of the house and has brought attention to potential shortcomings in new-build home quality.

The problems in Mr Dean's Markfield home began with cracks appearing in the walls. These cracks, particularly in his daughter's bedroom, eventually led to the plaster fall. Mr Dean attributed the damage to a poorly constructed drainage system, where one of the drainage pipes was not properly connected, causing rainwater to infiltrate the foundations.

A letter from the National House Building Council (NHBC) confirmed Mr Dean’s suspicions. It stated that the cracking was due to "incorrectly constructed drainage."

The housebuilder, Jelson, acknowledged Mr Dean's dissatisfaction but pointed out that no issues had been reported by the previous homeowners over six years. They noted that since Mr Dean moved in, they had taken steps to investigate and address the problems, including removing and planning to replace the faulty drain pipe.

Despite these actions, Mr Dean remains deeply concerned about the safety and stability of the property. He expressed frustration with the NHBC’s response, which suggested moving his daughter's cot away from the cracked wall, rather than addressing the root cause immediately.

Mr Dean and his family have been dealing with the fallout of these structural issues since they moved in. He described the situation as highly stressful, with new cracks and damp appearing regularly. The uncertainty and perceived lack of adequate response have significantly impacted their family life.

A spokesperson for Jelson expressed sympathy for Mr Dean's situation and reiterated their commitment to resolving the issues. They mentioned ongoing monitoring to determine if further contributing factors exist and to ensure the property stabilises.

The NHBC also responded, emphasising their understanding of how significant a house investment is for homeowners. They assured that they are working to resolve the issues in line with their Buildmark policy, which provides a 10-year warranty and insurance for new-build homes.

Mr Dean's experience underscores the importance of rigorous quality control in new-build homes. It highlights the critical role of builders and warranty providers in ensuring that issues are promptly and effectively addressed to maintain homeowner safety and satisfaction. As the situation progresses, Mr Dean hopes for a resolution that ensures his family's safety and peace of mind in their home.