New Build Homeowners Face £50,000 Bill for Faulty Sewage System

Residents of a Kent new-build development have been forced to spend over £50,000 on emergency repairs and waste removal due to serious issues with their property's sewage system. The problems at Castor Park in Allington, built by Clarendon Homes in 2018, highlight the importance of thorough snagging inspections and understanding responsibility for communal facilities in new developments.

Nine households on the estate have been dealing with persistent sewage problems since December 2023, including leaks, blockages, and wastewater overspills. The situation has become so severe that residents report being constantly worried about sewage backing up into their homes. For some homeowners, like Nick and Rasa Fifield, the problem is particularly acute as they have two manhole covers and an inspection chamber leading to the pumping station in their garden.

The residents discovered they were responsible for maintaining the waste station, despite paying fees to Southern Water for waste removal services. This revelation came as a shock to many homeowners, including Danielle Ross-Davies, who has been coordinating waste tanker visits on behalf of her neighbours. "We are seven years in and shouldn't be having this problem. It's a nightmare," she said. "How are we supposed to find this extra money, especially in the cost of living crisis? We are just nine houses with normal jobs."

A private investigation commissioned by the homeowners revealed significant construction defects in the development's infrastructure. The investigation found approximately 290 metres of pipework had been laid incorrectly and improperly backfilled with rocks instead of appropriate materials. This substandard installation has resulted in crushed pipes that are unable to function properly. The situation is further complicated by rainwater finding its way into the system, causing levels to rise rapidly.

The ongoing issues have forced residents to schedule waste tanker visits every 10 days, costing around £310 per visit. One recent emergency callout on December 27th cost the homeowners £810 due to an unexpected overflow. The households have also invested £15,000 in replacement pumps through waste-management service County Clean. These costs are particularly concerning for residents like Mandy Stevens, who was the first to move to the site seven years ago. "I'm more frustrated that we're not getting any answers to who's at fault here," she explained. "We've paid out a lot of money already. It's hard - I'm on my own having to fund this."

The situation has raised serious concerns about health risks, particularly for families with young children. Preschool teacher Pooja Menon, who has children aged six and three, expressed her worry about raw sewage appearing on the road. "The fact that we had to get an emergency tanker to suck it all out because there was raw sewage on the road was really worrying for me," she said.

Despite the properties being covered by a 10-year Integra insurance policy for building defects, the residents were informed that communal sewers were not included in their coverage. This exclusion has left the homeowners bearing the full financial burden of the repairs and emergency services. Resident Dan Sargent noted, "We were assured by the builder that everything was covered. Had we known it was completely uninsured, we probably would have insured it before it went wrong."

Clarendon Homes has stated that everything was installed correctly and had been working properly for over seven years until the recent issues emerged. They have offered to "assist the residents where possible" if contacted. However, with new construction by Penenden Heath Developments planned for more than 100 properties opposite the estate, existing residents are concerned about potential impacts on their already compromised sewage system, despite assurances that the new development will have an independent drainage solution.

This situation serves as a crucial reminder for new-build buyers to thoroughly understand their responsibilities regarding communal facilities and to ensure comprehensive snagging inspections are carried out before completion. It also highlights the importance of checking insurance coverage details for communal areas and facilities in new-build developments.

For new-build homeowners concerned about potential issues with their properties, professional snagging inspections can help identify problems before they escalate into costly repairs. Early identification of construction defects can help ensure they are addressed while still under warranty or builder's liability periods.