'We've had seven years of hell' in new-build home

David Wallis says the property has been riddled with problems

A couple say they have endured "seven years of hell" after buying a new-build home that is riddled with damp and mould.

David Wallis, 78, and his wife moved into a new Taylor Wimpey property in Redditch in Worcestershire in 2017.

They claim the home has been affected by countless snags, which include a persistent mould problem that is making them ill.

Taylor Wimpey said they were "committed to resolving the dispute" but could not comment further due to it being a legal matter.

"When we bought this house, it was our dream home - we bought it to be near to the grandchildren.

"But we've had seven years of hell," said Mr Wallis, who worked as a fraud investigator with West Midlands Police before he retired.

"We've had mould growing through the carpet; it's on the walls, it's growing through the skirting board, it's in the bedrooms, it's in my office.

"My wife scrubs it off, but it grows back within a matter of days. The mould is incredible.

"I'm asthmatic, and it's affected me badly - my doctor says my lung capacity has gone down 10 per cent over the last year, and I blame this.

"It's affected my wife's health, too. She's had to go to the doctors about it - it's made us both ill."

The couple said they had been fighting Taylor Wimpey over the problems in the house ever since they moved in and started to notice snags and defects. Among them were some windows not being sealed and gaps under the skirting board.

They also spotted the mould, which resulted in three independent assessments being done in the property, one by Taylor Wimpey.

This image taken in April shows the mould spread across the windowsill

The subsequent reports said work needed to be done on the insulation, but despite years of wrangling, the couple said the developer had yet to start.

Mr Wallis said they were working with a solicitor over the delays but were losing hope that the work would be done in time for the winter.

"There is no damp course, that's been acknowledged - and the insulation in the walls is insufficient," he said.

"Taylor Wimpey has given us their report which says this, and they said they would do what's needed, but they haven't.

"We were told back in February that they were ready to do the work, yet they've not even been inside."

The developer secured planning permission to build 200 homes in the Webheath area of Redditch after a public inquiry back in 2014.

Councillor Matt Dormer, the former leader of Redditch Borough Council, is working with the couple.

"It's not a good look for Taylor Wimpey - this has gone on for years; it's far too long," he said.

"I'd urge them to look at what this couple are going through and do the right thing."

A spokesperson for Taylor Wimpey said: "We are sorry to hear about the issues this customer has faced with their home.

"We are committed to resolving the dispute and continue to co-operate with their legal representatives to reach an appropriate solution.

"As this is now a legal matter, we cannot comment further."