Our neighbours' dream newbuilds were suddenly DEMOLISHED & now we're stuck in limbo – it's like living on building site

The Sun

8 hours ago

RESIDENTS have hit out saying they have been stuck living on a construction site after their new build estate was abandoned before being completed.
Almost 50 homes at a new build development on Rolleston Drive, near Arnold, Nottingham had to be torn down after the builder didn't finish the job.
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Now neighbours, whose homes are still standing, are saying they have been left living on a partially built estate frozen in time.
The builder originally appointed to construct the properties, Ilke Homes, collapsed in leaving the estate half finished.
Ilke Homes were appointed to build 131 houses but 43 of them were left partially finished when the firm collapsed.
Rows of completed homes now sit next to demolished houses with big, bare plots of land occupying space on the estate.
The partially built properties were left, without roofs in some cases, to rot away for nearly 12 months.
New work to replace the demolished homes has now started with residents rejoicing at the news.
Rajan Rajput, 38, told Nottinghamshire Live: "It's a real shame for the people who are still waiting, some of the people who have moved in now have been waiting years for a good home - I feel very lucky.
"But I work from my home, so to look out and see a construction site makes the view horrible at the minute, and I would like to be able to let my kids go out and play without worrying if they're trying to get over there."
Some residents are housed in hotels while they wait for their homes to be ready, Rajan was left living in a hotel for months while on the waiting list.
He added: "There are people that obviously need these homes, the longer you live in a hotel or somewhere like that the more it takes a toll on your mental health and family.
"It's not just a home, these new homes need to be replaced so people can get their lives back, feel safe, and not have to worry."
Jigsaw Homes Midlands, who appointed Ilke Homes before it collapsed has moved residents into the rest of the development.
The new buildings need to be replaced so that all the homes on the estate are compliant with the requirements of the NHBC (National House Building Council).
Morro Partnerships who took over construction of the site is in the process of building new houses where the old demolished ones once stood.
The new properties are expected to be finished by 2026, finally completing the construction of the estate.
The estate features 85 affordable houses that will be allocated to families and people on the Gedling Borough Council housing waiting list.
Yasmin Akthar, 41, is a mum who had been in temporary housing for three years before moving to Birch Fields.
She told Nottingham Live: "I totally understand why they pulled the houses down, it makes no sense to put somebody in a property that's already damaged, knowing that you're going to have long-term health complications.
"It will be a building site for a bit longer, but it's just what it is.
"We're in, we're okay, we're working around them and they're working around us."
The Sun has contacted Morro Partnerships for comment.
What to do if you fall foul of a dodgy builder
Under the Consumer Rights Act, anyone who enters a contract for goods and services can expect these to be supplied with reasonable care and skill - and this includes builders, plumbers, decorators and electricians.
It also includes materials, which should be of satisfactory quality, as described and fit for purpose.
If you've fallen victim to a builder, or had a dispute with your contractors, you should firstly collate all evidence you have, including paperwork, photos, videos, messages and bank statements.
Then, try to resolve the issues directly with the firm, before trying an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme such as mediation or ombudsman services.
If this doesn't work, contact your bank to find out whether you can recover any money spent using Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act (if the job cost between £100 and £30,000, your credit card company is jointly liable if something goes wrong).
If this doesn't work, report them to the police on 101.
While the lines between what is criminal and just bad practice are blurred, a contractor could be done for fraud.
It is also important to contact Trading Standards. Citizens' Advice has an online form to help you do this.
TS will then decide whether to investigate further based on the information you provide and help negotiate a settlement.
Even if it doesn't, the details may help if anyone else complains about the same firm.
It is also possible to take builders to a small claims court if you have been left out of pocket. However, you run the risk of racking up significant costs.
While most home insurance policies don't cover building work, it is worth confirming this with your provider.
And you should also, if possible, find out whether your builder holds liability insurance, which would also help.