I recently got the key for my new apartment after settlement and upon entering the place. I found that the place was damaged from a dripping fire hose above the plaster-board (It was verified by the builder who comes in and checked it).
Apart from the loss of rent, replacement of carpet, plaster wall, and floorboards. Is there anything else I need to be mindful of or entitled to while the place is getting fixed?'
(this damage was not detected during the final inspection).
Thanks.
+10 to this, it's insidious and dangerous as the anonymous negger should have known.
Can you elaborate on this? If they replaced the carpets and floorboard, it can still happen?
Can I ask them to extend the builder's warranty? Is there a clause that I can use to return the property (I honestly don't want it anymore).
they should check
but the issue is not what u can see but what u can't
under floor, inside walls etc
Without speaking to any other matters here, the ability to return the property would be highly unlikely. As ever, speak to the solicitor who helped you purchase the property, but you may need to manage your expectations here.
@Seraphin7: Thanks, I suspect during the settlement date, it was already soaked. But obviously no-one has the key, so nobody knows. I contacted the banker and the solicitor, and as it is already settled. There is probably not much anyone can do.
Yeah mould.
Have to make sure the whole place is dry+++ means using the fan for 3 or more days just in case. (Depending on extent of leak)
May even want to get a company that has special dehumidifying machines rather than just put in some kmart room fans. Sounds like the place got soaked rather than just a little wet.
Yeah, pretty soaked. Don't know if I can ask an independent inspector to check on these things. I trust an independent person more than the original builder.
I have content/land insurance, should I go through them?
Thanks mbck, i've seen tradies used heated gun too.
Did you purchase building and contents insurance or landlord insurance? or the builder as the place is new?
I purchased landlord insurance which covers contents. Building insurance is part of the body corporate I believe. It will be fixed for free from the builder for sure, but I really want an independent building inspector to come in and verify that the place is dried and fixed properly.
The whole building is brand new.
Well it is your place now so get your building inspector in and check it out.
It will all be covered by the builders warranty
Get your own moisture meter and start looking.
I had water ingress in an older apartment and the strata plumber and contractors were absolutely useless.
Funny how a small device was used to leverage a lot of work they cosmetically tried to avoid.
It was amazing to see the extent of water damage and how long it took to dry.
Just sell it now it's (profanity)
haha, I would want to as well. But probably at a loss. Given stamp duty already paid, and have to pay agent when sellling.
1st make sure the fire hose leak is fixed, get specialist, with heater fans to dry unit, you may be able to claim the three or four days worth of electricity they'll use from builder, If fire hose is considered part of the building then body corp insurance should cover it or is whole block of units new? Therefore throwing it back on the builder?
The place will stink of that water vapour smell for ages, I had a neighbour had a flooded unit when water heater (internal in laundry) rusted through and dumped the lot on the unit and kept "filling" No one could do anything until he rushed home from work and could turn water off, by then damage was done, we didnt have his real estate phone number, just his, poor guy worked an hr away by car
Lousy workmanship, and waterproofing/leaking issues, are absolutely rife in Australian apartment blocks. It honestly feels like we live in a 3rd world country sometimes. We seem to have no standards whatsoever, other than outsource everything to "Dodgy Bros Building & Sandwiches Incorporated"
mould