Letters & comment

摘要

Re: "Persimmon extends customer retention period to a week" (5 July, building.co.uk). The severely restricted time allowed to a new homeowner to identify faults in the home that they have purchased from a developer seems to be unfair as it creates an imbalance in the positions of the parties to the detriment of the consumer. This looks to be an attempt by the developer to restrict its liability and as such could be rendered ineffective under the Consumer Rights Act 2015. Additional remedies could be available to the consumer if the developer fails to rectify any faults or defects discovered by the buyer and within a reasonable time. The matter may of course be referred to a dispute resolution entity as allowed for under the Consumer Code for Home Builders if the developer fails to act in a professionally diligent manner. Much of the problem could be avoided if the housebuilder actually paid greater attention to the quality of construction employed in the building of their houses.