Contents: Aedas Homes claims
Reviews of Aedas Homes
Despite being one of the new-build developers building the most in our country, the opinions we hear from homeowners about Aedas Homes unfortunately leave a lot to be desired.
Most of our clients would not recommend this developer at all, and regret having bought off-plan without being able to check the quality of the works. Despite the location of the developments, which are usually in good areas of each city, the new owners consider the finishes poor, badly executed, defective and of lower quality than subsidised housing (VPO), in contrast to the high price they paid. They describe its after-sales service as equally disappointing.
Snagging list
The truth is that, regardless of the reviews of Aedas Homes, which are more negative than positive, a series of defects that recur in different developments cannot be tolerated. A snagging list of them should be drawn up; these are some of the most common:
– Scratched or chipped elements, and leftover paint or plaster from the works that will not come off.
– Damaged false ceiling panels.
– Defective installations, such as a domestic hot water (DHW) system that does not work properly, or the home automation
– Draughts coming in through the window joints
– Lack of sound insulation, so that even the slightest noise from the neighbouring home can be heard.
– Problems with the installation of taps and appliances.
– Unfinished washing machine and dishwasher connections.
– Kitchens without enough sockets or with problems with the extractor hood.
– Leaks in the homes.
– Taps without aerators.
– Door frames covered in paint. Chipped doors covered over with paint so that the customer does not notice…
This endless list of defects can be claimed for, and they mean that the basic building requirements relating to habitability set out in article 3(c) of the Spanish Building Act (Ley de Ordenación de la Edificación, LOE) are not met: the necessary conditions of health and watertightness, protection against noise, energy saving and thermal insulation, and any other functional aspect of the building elements or installations that allow satisfactory use of the building. This is without prejudice to the developer’s contractual liability as seller, which is even broader.
Time limits for claiming against the developer.
Habitability damage, which has a guarantee period of 3 years for claims, reduces the quality of life in the place where we live. A new-build home must give us exactly what we bought; we cannot accept or resign ourselves to it having a series of inherent defects, which can never be justified as “normal”. Habitability does not simply mean, literally, “that it can be lived in”, but that it can be lived in properly, with minimum standards of comfort.
In addition, article 17.1(c) of the LOE also states that the building contractor will be liable for material damage caused by workmanship defects affecting finishing elements (that are purely aesthetic) of the works within a period of one year.
Finally, the developer must also answer for its contractual liability as seller under article 1101 of the Civil Code, which covers many types of breach, and there is a longer time limit of 5 years to claim against it.
What do we need to do?
First, after drawing up a thorough snagging list, you need to wait and see whether Aedas Homes (or any other developer) responds.
If most of the defects have not been dealt with and/or repaired, the best thing to do is to inform the president of the homeowners’ association and the property administrator, to find out whether it is a common, widespread problem in the other homes.
Once we know whether it will be an individual or a collective claim (to reduce costs), a thorough expert report should be commissioned, covering not only the minor defects visible to the naked eye but also other types of damage which, although the owners may not have noticed them beforehand, may turn out to be worse in the long run.
How do DPcon claims work?
To claim successfully for construction defects in a new-build home (from this developer or any other), the important thing is to have experienced professionals. Our technical department is made up of expert architects specialising in building pathology, who prepare thorough expert reports to give the claim the best chance of success. HERE you can see a sample of our expert reports. Our legal department is likewise made up of lawyers specialising in construction defect claims. If you would like to join a group lawsuit, get in touch with us.
DPcon Reclamación Daños constructivos.
Any questions?