When your property is fully constructed and you’ve moved in, constructional defects can reduce the return on investment. You may have already rented out the place and your tenants may be complaining about plumbing issues or concrete spalling.
What can you do in this situation?
A professional inspection in the defect liability period can save you from these liabilities. It is the time frame after the construction of the property which covers the liability of building defects. During this period, the contractor is liable to correct or remediate any building defects related to construction such as wall cracks.
Time Period
If you have signed a defect liability deal or acquired a defect liability certification during or after the construction, your property is covered for 12 months. Once the construction completes, your defect liability term starts, and it ends in a year. During this time frame, the contractor is liable to return to remedy the defects of the building. Hence, it is best to utilize inspection services before the expiry of the defect liability period to remedy faults related to workmanship, construction or material used.
However, it should be noted that some defects may show up long after the defect liability period has ended. These defects may still be a contractor’s liability and may be subjected to limitation arguments under the latent defect warranty period.
In this case, the contractor is not liable to return and remedy the defects, but he is liable to pay the damages. However, it is usually cost-effective for the contractor to remedy the defects himself rather than pay for the developer’s damage.
Herein, the developer, owner, or acquired services should conduct an in-depth inspection of the property to avoid future issues and quality loopholes.
Common Defects Assessed by Inspection Services
- Structural defects on house foundation such as wall cracks.
- Waterproofing defects such as roof leaks and drainage issues.
- Wall defects such as concrete spalling or brick cracks.
- Other defects which may not become a direct safety threat to residents.
