'Rottweiler' homeowner hits back at new-build snags

Vicky Strange, 41, said the number of snagging issues at her new-build home had been "horrific"

A homeowner said she was "mortified" when a new-build developer described her as a "rottweiler" after she pointed out problems with her home.

Vicky Strange, 41, said she was accidentally copied into an email chain by staff at Gleeson Homes.

Ms Strange, who lives on the Saxon Grange development in Boston, had reported a defect in her rear garden.

Gleeson Homes has apologised for the "rottweiler" comment, adding it was "not intended to be insulting but reflected sensitivities at the time".

Gleeson Homes, which built Ms Strange's property, said it was working to rectify all of the reported issues

A spokesperson for Gleeson Homes said: "With regards to the inappropriate comment made by a member of the team, we sincerely apologise. We believe that this was not intended to be insulting but reflected sensitivities at the time.

"Gleeson accepts that this was totally unacceptable and the issue has been addressed with the team member concerned.

"We take our responsibilities to our customers and the build quality of our homes very seriously, so where remediation is required and reported to us, we act quickly to make things right."

Ms Strange moved into the property in June 2022 and reported flooding in her garden 11 months later.

"It’s really, really frustrating. When I first reported it in April, I told the site manager I wanted my garden sorted for summer and they told me it would be."

The developer installed further drainage to rectify the issue but compacted ground and heavy rainfall made the situation worse.

'Absolutely horrific'

Ms Strange, who works for the NHS, said the issue with her garden was one of several that she had pointed out.

She claims she had a faulty bath replaced and was told by a plumber she was “lucky” nobody had fallen through it.

"I expected there to be snags, it’s a new-build home, you do get them. But, the list just went on and on and on," Ms Strange said.

"I absolutely do love my home, but I have to lose-out to get these jobs rectified. I just don’t want anyone going through what I’ve had to go through.

"It’s been absolutely horrific. I just want to enjoy my new home.”

In February, a report by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) raised concerns about the build quality of some new homes.

The government said it had "legislated to set minimum standards for all new-build warranties with penalties for those not complying".

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