Finishing defects are mainly aesthetic problems: poorly finished paintwork, a scratched door, a window with a blind that does not work, a badly fitted tap and similar defects.
They also include defects in communal areas, such as entrance halls, children’s play areas, sports areas, swimming pools and so on. In these cases, unfinished or defectively finished works can be claimed for.
Damage to finishes is associated with aesthetic damage in newly purchased homes.
Claiming for damage to the finishes of homes or buildings
Article 17.1 c) provides that the builder is also liable for material damage caused by defects of execution affecting finishing elements of the works, within a period of one year.
To claim for this damage, it must be set out in an expert report, with the cost and method of repair quantified. The report will serve as the basis for drafting a formal demand and starting a legal claim against those responsible.
1 year
Guarantee period under the LOE
Can I claim for defects in the finishes?
Yes, of course.
Normally, claims cover not only these defects but also more serious ones, such as leaks and damp, air ingress around windows, and faulty operation of installations such as domestic hot water (DHW), solar panels, heating and air conditioning.
You can claim for more than damage to finishes: at DPCON we also help you bring court claims for structural damage and habitability damage in homes.