
Once you move into a new home, whether you rent or buy, certain individuals have a duty of care to you and the inhabitants of the home. Contractors, designers, and landlords all have standards to uphold to keep homeowners and tenants safe. Sometimes, these standards can fall short of that required , and you may be able to claim against them. Sometimes, it can be hard to establish the party with liability when your property is defective, but with the right litigation solicitors, you can make the correct decision.
Here at Van Eaton solicitors in Streatham, we can help you discover exactly who you can claim against, and whether your home is fit for habitation. Once you discover exactly who you can claim against, it makes the legal process much easier, allowing you to focus on gathering evidence and attending dispute resolution sessions. Read our article to discover more about who exactly you can claim against in construction disputes.
Builders and Contractors Duty
According to the Defective Premises Act 1972, all those involved in the construction of a property have a contractual obligation to the inhabitants. Architects, designers, consultants, and builders alike all must ensure that their work is carried out safely and professionally. When a defect is found that, for instance, renders the building uninhabitable, then the individual or group at fault needs to be found and held accountable. You can make a claim against a builder or professional within the first six years of its completion, whether you are first owner of the home or not.
The fitness of habitation scale is far-reaching, and a property doesn’t have to be uninhabitable for you to make a claim. If the defect is structural and dangerous, or it applies into the design, materials, or workmanship, you can make a claim against the contractors or builders for failing to provide an appropriate duty of care. Builders must work in a professional manner with proper materials and tools to provide a high-standard job. Failure to do this could result in a claim, so it’s important to have the best legal advice available. You can read our previous article on construction defects here.
Different Claims
When you find a defect in your property, it can sometimes be a worrying ordeal, especially if it appears to be dangerous. If you rent a property, your first port of call is your landlord, who should brainstorm solutions to find the best avenue to get the defect remedied. However, if the property is less than 6 years old, it could be a problem with the design or construction of the property. You can either claim on the grounds of bad workmanship, patent or latent design defects, or faulty materials, but it can sometimes be hard to determine the exact cause of the defect.
Here at Van Eaton solicitors in Streatham, we have helped clients with a range of construction disputes, gathering evidence and assess their claim to get the result they require as efficiently as possible. Our litigation solicitors can help you determine the cause of the fault, and we can create a strong case for you to present at dispute resolution sessions. Construction law disputes can be incredibly stressful if you don’t have the right legal advice, so it’s vital that you get in touch with a legal professional as soon as possible.
How Litigation Solicitors Can Help
Our civil litigation solicitors here at Van Eaton can provide excellent, professional legal advice in all aspects of construction law disputes. From contractual issues to defects within the construction, we can help assess your claim and get you the result as efficiently as possible As well as dealing with property disagreements, we aid in the resolution of probate disputes and inheritance issues, highlighting our dedication and expertise in a range of different litigation cases.
If you wish to book a consultation, please get in touch by calling 0208 769 6739. Alternatively, you can fill out our online form.