I have a building regulations question

[supermum]

Our house was built in 2002 and we moved in Feb 2005. Today I had a heating engineer round to hopefully fix and service a boiler but was unable to do so because there was not adequate clearance to get to the top of the boiler.

The boiler is built into a cupboard and hence a section of wall is stopping the engineer from being able to carry out a service. Would this really have passed a building inspection as I now need to get a builder in to knock out the wall above the cupboard. This appears to be to be a major design fault. Has anyone elso come across this before or able to offer advice as I would like to take this up with the original developers but feel I don't have a leg to stand on!

 

[JohnD]

For clarification:

Do you mean take out some brickwork, or cut back a wooden cupboard?

 

[supermum]

Thanks for replying so fast. It is a partition wall. Basically the boiler is located above the stairwell. It's only timber and plasterboard, not supporting and not brickwork (thankfully).

 

[Nige F]

NHBC more of a leg to stand on than the Peasemarsh Mc Cartneys

 

[supermum]

Thanks but tried NHBC first but they claim that they are now only responsible for major structural defects and not design muck ups! Am currently trying the developers of the site but they don't seem to want to get back to me.

 

[Nige F]

Sorry to hear that.......if they are still "developing" a large sign outside your house stating the defect can work wonders ...........I saw this @ S*vereign Harb*ur .....while visiting a seaside town in Sussex

 

[Swiss Tony]

Its not a Building regs problem, but it is just stupid design.

The architect or building company has a duty to you as the customer to provide something that is fit for purpose.

I would mention to them about the cost of putting right their design fault, and the cost of litigation to them (You could mention your brother, cousin, iuncle is a solicitor) and they may find it easier to sort this out quietly.

Legally, you do have a claim against them. Any solicitor will deal with it for you. Tort of negligence